The central record. (Lancaster, Ky.) 18??-current, 1922-02-23
CHARITY
by ANNA coNNeRs.

=. isli. ~ Mcclure Newspaper sysdieais.
Helen knew what all Marysville was
saying. She smiled sadly and biz
grimly a. she thought IL II. She won.
dered what they would say II they
could read her mind aud her intcn-
lions.
How In the world will Helen get
along without Andrew
That was the sum aud substance 81
the general comment. She knew. She
also knew what no one else had ever
suspecied-that Andrew Hanson had
been 10 her a beneficent tyrant.
Never In the long ten years o. her
married NE had ~. had her own
way. even though IL was only the ques-
tion ~ new hat or gown. She had
been too proud 10 confde Ia anyone.
NJ her little world had always summed
the situation NJ as that of better
judgment taking the guidance.
Now Andrew was gone.
lie snd. to eyerybody's surprise. left
In i2-llne will all his property to
his wife and had made her eNecutrix.
With mor or less bitterness. Helen
had wondered at this tnrdy act Of con-
idence. She had never had dollar
at time la her welded life o. call
her own. and now all the money. all
the land. was hers 20 do with as she
pleased
I'm make them open their eyes" she
thought. as she started for the village
drcssmakcr. THE will has given them
ten days gossip. and II don't give
them ten times ten. then miss my
guess. that's ALL"
The village dressmakcr was more
than an artist Ia her line.
"Not n Speck Of mourning Helen
began. For once In my life I'm going
10 choose what please and wear what
! like"
Then lnnoccntly. and Gas far as Hell
cn ever knew without guile. the dress
maker asked II Helen had heard the
news latclyf"
NO, u word, was the reply: "rye
been In retirement. mourning for An
drew. you know"
Then. don't s'pose," replied the
dessmaker. ''that you know that old
Aunt Betsy il going o. the poorhouse
Mondayi They do say" she proceed.
ed. that some one. no one seems 20
know just who. that used 10 make her
an allowance. has stopped IL. and she
has no other friend.
and you remember young Adam
Well. he's cripple. ~ course. hut just
as bright as they make them. and he's
been attending school In hoT.s II get
ting an education and helping his
MEMBERSHIPS n wldow-mRintain his
big brood ~ younger brothers and sis
ters: and they do say. though how they
know I cant say. that the same one
aiding him. and can't any more. 81 he
has 90 quit. and his mother IL broken.
hearted over IL.
There's lots ~ more things that this
unknown benefactor has been doing.
and they do say II means lot OF harm
to the village as well as 20 some par.
ticular folks IN II. But II can't be
helped. ns can ser." she concluded.
with a deprccnting smile.
Helen walked home with an uneasy
mind. She began Co wonder who II was
that had done So much mysterious good
In the town and Go the townspeople.
Somehow her intended outlays seemed
suddenly pueriie and paltry. She would
60 home and finish the JOB Of setting
Andrews papers In order. Possibly
this occupation would make her un-
Business suhslde and her dreams ~
riotous living renppear In all their
original glitter and glow. She hoped 81.
AZ any rate.
Late that evening the little dress
maker received note that made her
eyes dance with delight. II was brief.
hut right Co the point
"Do not get the goods ordered I
think. after all. win wear black for
a while"
"She found out" thought the little
woman smlllngly. "She's found out
that Andrew. like most 81 us had good
points as well rs bad ones. though I
have 90 admit that he could he pretty
aggravating sometimes. was pretty |
sure II Helen ever found out all the
good he did. and In secrt. too. never
once letting hts left hand know what
the other was handing out. she'd change |
her mind md her oDlnlon
II rather think" she concluded shat |
Aunt Betsy won't GO 20 the poorhouse
yet. and that Adam win have his
In which conclusion time showed she
was correct.