Evening star., 1928-12-15
THE EVENING STORY

her husband had used in the prosperous
days before he went adventuring to the
gold fields, and was leaf from an old
checkbook left in the house. AS Bob
looked at it his face became grave: The
poor old lady must have been losing
herself little to do thing like that.
Perhaps she had done 1t in spirit OF
fun, knowing he would understand
Yet that seemed hardly like Mrs. Wally.
Well, he would keep the check for a
few days, then when the remembrance
of it had slipped from her mind, he
would see that the slip of paper was
destroyed.
what is it. sir?" Tommy asked
curiously. Money!"
Meant for money" replied Bob, Fore
ing the gravity from his face, and sn1il-
ing down at the boy. 1T was nice to
remember me like that, don't you
think?"
Eyes, guess So" said the boy. wl1.-
out much enthusiasm. But she couldn't
be so nice tc you es you have to her"
well, she was nice to me in the lc;sg
ago when I was a boy like yoli,"
answered Bob. Il don't forget that"
Mrs. Wally came out of her house as
they approached. Heard your wheela,'
she called. smiling at Bob as he drove
close to the door, and then sprang out
and caught her hands. And, truth to
tell, was sort of expecting you. Folks
get spoiled when they're looked after
as I've been. Did Tommy give you the
envelope all Tight?"
"Yes, indeed, and thank you very
much. second mother mine 1t was nice
Of you to remember me So"
And you're perfectly willing to ac-
cept it from me, your second mother,
in just the same spirit I've been taking
fI.rk 1.fx ~
Eyes, mother" bending over and
kissing her wrinkled face I'm glad to
accept any gift from you wholly and
unreserved. and Ill take the check in
the same spirit it's given"
The old woman seemed relieved, and
a pleased smile came to her face. I'm
glad" she said. you've always been
! proud in some ways. Bob, and was
afraid you might hesitate. I've heard
your own mother speak about buying
the thrashing outfit and such bad
season following, it's worried me a lot
Now I want you to pay everything of
with this, check and then use the rest
of the money any way you like"
"Very well,' smiled Bob. I'll prom
Use not to use it in any other way"
"All right dear. But come in now. I
want you to see my presents" She
went into the house and took letter
from the table, giving it to him with
tremulous hands. Read it, Bob" she
said happily.
Bob drew out two Enclosures, one of
which was slip similar to his own. He
gave low amazed whistle as he saw it
was a certified check on Circle City
bank for $4,000. From your hus-
band?" he gasped.
"Yes. Read the letter. It's pretty
short, but my husband always did hate
to write" Bob looked at the letter,
which covered half page. and read:
Dear Wife: I'm down with a sprain-
ed ankle and can't move, so I've found
time to think. And it's come over me
that maybe folks have bothered you
about money matters, though they
shouldn't, for everybody knows that I'll
pay just as soon as / come home with
my money. I've an idea it's been some
time since I've wrote. My expedition
went smash, as I believe I told, and
the mines I mentioned all petered out
Later I worked my way down into a
crevaSse and brought up a frozen man
and stayed with him till he died. He
left me all he had which was a lot, and
1 put 1t all into mines. I've Just sold
the poorest one for $127,000 to get some
money to develop the rest which are
sure to yield a pot of money before
| AOuS. III OClQniR yOu Jllc % i.UUU
pin money, though maybe you'd better
take little of it and buy the Robbins
farm joining ours. 1 always did want
to run the two places together. It's
, likely worth $4,000 to $1,000. Good-by."
"You see, he's no idea our farm has,
: been sold. and that I've only got this
little rocky corner my mother owned. :"
: said the old woman. "I must buy the
place right back and the Robbins farm,
too. Ours was taken for $4,000. though
likely I'll have to pay little more. and,
heard only the other day that the
Robbins farm was for SALE"
YES for S6 000 And your old place
can be had for about 10 or IL thousand.
stock and ALL said Bob still too dazed
to think clearly. THE bad season has
discouraged the owner little, and he'll
sell low"
well. I want you to buy both Of the
farms for me at once" exclaimed the
old woman, decidedly Both farms
have splendid buildings and they're
not far apart. Well take down the
fences and run a road through and be
real close neighbors But forgot You
and your mother are to move to the
Robbins place and you will run the two
farms on equal shares"
But that's too much-four times
too much" eXpostulated Bob. Not
over a quarter at most"
"On equal shares" insisted Mrs.
Wally. Here, I want you TO deposit
this check for me tomorrow morning
and then see to buying the farms. III
draw another check to buy extra tools
and meet other expenses"
Bob stood looking at her doubtfuly,
but she came and placed her hands
upon his shoulders. Bobby, son." she
said. cant you do this for your second
mother? I'm not able to look after
the farms myself, and you're the only
one I know who would do just as I
want" 81
"All right, mother" agreed Bob with
grin. TITS 60 But, say" suddenly,
as though struck by new thought,
my checks all right too?" &
"Of course" simply, "only you'll want
to deposit mine first. I'm so glad you
were willing to accept it, ~
Bob bit his lip and shrugged his
shoulders a little. But that was all
THE END. e.
| Copyright. 1921 -