“I saw Tom take money from your father’s safe.”
“Oh, Tom, you really didn’t?”
“I really did,” answered the boy, hanging his head.
“How could George be so wicked when papa is so good to him. Why, he has had no father or mother for many years. He and I are the same age. My father and his are brothers.”
The girl’s mouth drooped at the corners and her little face worked painfully, for as much as she scolded her big cousin she loved him.
She never had had a brother, and now to find this young lad whom she had taken into her heart like one should be found wanting was hard to bear.
“You are sure, Tommy dear?” asked she plaintively.
“More than sure, for he offered me five dollars and I wouldn’t take it.”
“Good for you, Tom,” replied the girl, “and for that I’ll marry you when you get to be a man. You are a good fellow, Tommy.”
Annie Benson was the only child of her father, her mother having died long ago.