Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1922-11-09
THE OBSTACLE
BY MYRA A. WINGATE


| iabored effort of runner finishing d
race, Kenneth concluded the ancient
story of Moses, who, descending the
| mountain with the tables of stone
| upon which were craven the Ten
| Commandments, found his people woi-
Shipping the golden calf The boy laid
| the book of chiIdren's stories upon The
| grass and fell back exhausted.
allow do sou spose he got down
the mountain with two stone tablesY
maryeled Katherine THE legs must
have got in his way awfully.'
"He was strong returned Kenneth
thoughtfully. II tell you, bet they
were like Aunt Mary's handicapped
tabe-not stone all over. ] could lug
that down the mountain" he added.
Maybe you could bring it down,
but how would you get it up?' she
asked skeptically
"Well, you could help me- he con.
| ceded.
| on the veranda Mr.. Talant tried
to be adviser and sympathetic friend,
| while he lOnged 10 be the true lover
that he was. The longing which DC.
casionally crept into his voice he
sternly repressed.
I'm afraid of the money" Chris
tine was saying vigorously. II want
the twins to be useful people, with
something to do and the will to do
it--not mere spenders."
TO spend Aunt Mary's fortune wise
| ly was proving a greater problem to
| the girl than to make the small re-
sources left by her parents, with her
own salary. cover their needs.
Money Is a responsibility agreed
the young man abSently. 1T can open
avenues Of usefulness or it can be
an obstacle to-"
He did not finish the sentence but
continued TO look dreamily ats the
girls attractive profile,
There was amusement, exaspera
ton, and hint of usefulness in
Chrlstine's glance.
obstacles, yes And each mus
learn to overcome his own" she an
swered, adding with glance behind
her at Aunt Mary's pilared portico,
IL haven't dared to change our way
of living much since we came here.
I'm afraid Keith and Kath will learn
to think too much of money"
"A great obstacle" murmured Tai
liant
Christine turned upon him tiercely.
Cant you say anything else?" she
demanded. Its almost as jolly as
entertaining a parrot
You are quite right he said I'D
better 20 now, and call some othef
day when I've acquired new idea.'
lie was pale and grave, Theit
friendship of long standing seemeA
about to be wrecked upon the great
obstacle. He could never ask a girl
with a fortune Of half a million to
m6rry country minister.
Don't be goose" said Christine
A piercing shrek stilled the healing
laughter that followed Tallant
crossed the lawn In long bounds,
Christ-ne racing beside him Across
the field ana up the height they sped,
wringng her hands over Kenneth
whose white blouse was reddening
with terrifying rapidity. They
worked swiftly kneeling among the
ruins of Aunt Mary's handicapped
table, to stanch the flow Of blood and
to reassure the frightened children
Later the little sister crouched out
side the door waiting until the doc.
tor came out, followed by Tallant and
Christine She listened to crisp in
structons and words OF encourage
ment before she pushed a packet Of
papers into Christine's hand.
There was little hidey hole I'm
the top of Aunt Mary's table under
the stone she explained Keith fell
and the stone broke nm cut him. The
letters We're in the little hole"
Christine stared, fascinated, mt the
penciled word "Wn on the outside
of the package.
'Would it be right to look at itY'
she asked Tullant.
surely" he answered.
The words that ut first blurred. re-
solved themselves into Aunt Mary's
instructions that OF her large fortune
$4,000 should go IN equal shares, to
her grand-nieces Christine and Kath-