Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1891-02-19

"JUsT READ THAT, MARION"
Marion. She took it without a word
and read it to the end. 1t was frankly
stating the case and asking for fifty
dollars.
II hate MORALLY to ask you." he wrote in one
place. land wouldn't If I thought there was
no chance Of my ever paying you, but I assure
you, father. that the plan can not fail to turn
out in our favor if have the funds to carry me
through. It promises ten thousand dollars to us,
and then, father. I'll pay it back with the TWEEN.
ty-tive dollars beside, and princely interest on
both. know you won't refuse me, father, so
send as soon as possible. Your loving son,
DAVE"
There was a look of mute questioning
in poor Uncle Sis eyes as she returned
the epistle, but she did not answer it,
only took down a pail of feed for the
hens, and, tying on her sun-hat, went
out, and the subject was dropped until
after supper, when she herself revived
it.
''What do you think about it, mother"
she asked. "Ought I to give the money
to Dave? You know how shabby the
parlor isl
Mrs. Barney was deep in the china
closet and did not answer at first, but,
when she did, her voice was rather
shaky.
81 dunno, Marion" she said. do
just as you like: the money is yourn an
Dave amt got no right to it beyond the
claim of flesh and blood. You've worked
hard for it, an the parlor's shabby, I
know. Poor Daven'
Marion knew just what her mother
thought. The claim of his sunny blue
eyes and frank nature was more to
them all than the claim of justice.
Uncle ST was looking at her, and she
heard him murmur, as he took a pine
stick from the wood-box and went out
doors to white:
"Poor Dave, he's good boy
"I'll decide Tomorrow" she said,
shortly, thinking Of the long cherished
parlor suite, then of her brother, with
his inability to ''stick," but love con-
quered. "I'l do without for another
year." she whispered to herself, brush
ing away tear. ''Dave shall have it
this time as he did before, and may he
succeed"
She said nothing, however, until she
came back next day from her journey
after her school money, just ifty-four
dollars, then she placed a letter in
Uncle Sis hand.
"Read it," she said, quietly. "And if
you can, take it to town this afternoon"
Uncle ST laboriously spelled out the
few lines, while his hand trembled so
he could hardly hold the paper.
"DEAR BROTHER DAvE-Inclosed are the
fifty dollars desired. hope it is enough. Let
us know how the case terminates.
yours as ever, MARION BARNEY"
"God bless you, Marion calculated
Uncle ST, letting the paper futter to
the floor, while he clasped her hand.
cts great sacrifice to you, child, but
the good Lord will reward you, and
Dave will not be ungrateful. Yes, I'll
go to the village this very afternoon;
never mind Dolly'sa lameness, nor the
haydn either" y
The old claw-legged parlor furniture,
with its hair-cloth upholstering, was
refurbished and the worn carpet and
green window shades mended, while
the picture of Dave, in a new frame,
smiled serenely down from the mantel,
entirely unconscious of the darned and
patched furniture.
One day Uncle 81 came down from
the village, his face all aglow with
pleasure, and his eyes shining as if
youth had been renewed. .-
s'Read that!' he cried, tossing letter
into Marion's lap. "Just read that,
Marion.
h Dawes plan had succeeded, strange to
tell, and inclosed was check for one
hundred dollars, principal and COM
pound interest, with a little besides"
sThere, Marion, there" cried Uncle
81, fairly dancing in his glee. "What'd
say2 An'now amt you glad you sent
the money to Dave? The parlor can
be furnished now, an You won't
have TO teach school no longer. Oh,
Marion, amt the Lord good2"
But Marion only smiled. It was all
the answer she could make just them
Mittie r. Towle, in The Home.