Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1922-02-09
JERRYS TOMBSTONE
BY MILDRED WHITE

Calls first glimpse of her fiance's
homestead was not encouraging. Jerry
had taken her there to visit his moth
er and become acquainted with the
surroundings which might later be the
girls future home. Jerry ardently
hoped that 1t would be. His mother
had been satisfied and happy on
the old farm through many years
of her marriage and as Jerry's bust
ness would still oblige him to travel,
he knew that he would be able to do
so with free mind, IL Gail were but
comfortably established under his
mothers roof True, the girl OF his
heart was accustomed to city home,
| but Jerry with anxious eyes, noted
lately her growing paleness and slen-
| derness, even while he laughed at her
| fears.
THE doctor says / ought to be in
| the country" she had told him. THE
doctor says must try to grow strong"
SO Jerry and his mother talked the
| thing over with their usual sympa-
thetic understanding, and decided
that the farm would be the place for
| Gail.
But when Jerry took his beloved TO
visit, 1t was winter. And while she
loved the tree-bordered grounds, and
the rambling, picturesque old house,
| Calls first and unpleasant impression
was Of the cemetery close by.
why dearie," said Jerry's mother,
wonderingly, 81 never mind the GENE
terry. Sort Of think of it-when | do
think of it at alas Gods Acre.
Nothing there to harm one, dearie
just peace and restful quiet" Jerry
actually laughed,
Mother would feel lonesome away
from those tombstones," he said, "espe-
cally she would miss old Jerry's.'
Jeremiah was nay brother" Mrs.
Holcomb explained, fused to live with
me here long after Jerry's father died
and the boy had gone to the city.
jeremiah was particular about his
tombstone, left money for It., and he
wanted II in reasonable distance from
the house Theys queer niche cut
down in il to hold statue, but we
haven't been able to afford the statue;
so in summer | fill up the niche with
flowers
II am not superstitiously afraid or
anything like that" Gail defended
it's just that / feel the location would
make me morbid"
Jerry was disappointed; there was
no hiding It; also discouraged. He
had so wanted his little sweetheart TO
like his home He agreed after the
evening meal, to drive his mother down
to the village doctor. She was ailing
and wished professional advice, and
Gail while she was too tired after
her journey To- accompany them, in
sisted that SHE would be content to re
main alone by the treside
81 shall be glad to look around this
quaint big parlor, and I'll not be a
bit lonesome she assured her lover
So they drove OFF In the car. and
she went first Ia bid them good-by
slipping back 10 the house between
the stretching shadows Of the pines.
II was very still there, and with city
bred apprehension. she wished that
Jerry had not left the firms money, in
IT'S leather bag so carelessly in his bed
room.
Then. iust-as she stood In the up
per bedroom, resolved to slip the
money bag beneath the mattress, q
sound came To her Of q suddenly halt
ed automobile and she saw us occu-
pants alight among the shadows Of
the pines and come slowly toward the
house.
one man had silently assisted his
companion over the sill, before she lie
clded to act, then slipping into her
cloak, which lay ON chair. Gail
caught up the valuable leather bag
which She was sure the invaders had
followed. and crept shakingly down
the back stair The tombstoneS shone
ghostly through the back hall window
but she did not hesitate
Easily the girl climbed over the
fence and into the dreary cemetery It'll
was 10 her uow a sure refuge tor who
She thought in strange calm triumph.
would seek hidden gold i'm that place
of silence. Above all others. Uncle Jere-
miah'S tombstone beckuued. and as she
made her way in the deep shadow to-
ward Il The niche opened lnvituSly
Into its depths was slipped the young
or Jerry's bag OF trust
Then Gail waited
Perhaps the men, armed. we're going
to make a bold assault as Jerry en-
tered his home. She would walk on
60 waylay and warn him At the
bend of the road his car came to
stop At sight Of the small, familiar
figure Jerry leaped from his seat and
gathered her into his arms.
why, Gail, darling he cried, ami
tremhlinely she told her story But
neither Jerry nor his sensible mother |
could be impressed or warned. There /
is some mistake" they said, and rode |
steadily homeward. And when, upon |
their arrival, il was found that the |
trespassers were Jerrys own cousins |
come Hospitality 20 call on his intend |
a1 bride Gail could NOT foin In tho 4