The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1891-02-21

| Marion. She took it without a WORD
and read it to the end. 1t was frankly
written in Dawes honest way, clearly
stating the case and asking for fifty
dollars.
II hate mortalIy to ask you," he wrote in one
| place, land wouldn't II thought there was
no chance of my ever paying you, but 1 assure
| you, father that the plan can not fail to turn
out in our favor II have the funds to carry me
through. 1t promises ten thousand dollars to us,
and then, father, I'll pay it back with the TWEEN
ty-tve dollars beside, and princely interest on
both. know you won't refuse me, father so
send as soon as possible. Your loving son,
DAVE"
AS Marion read it through she thought
Of the petroleum scheme and its end;
she also thought of the bright hand
some brother, almost ten years her
junior, who had been her pride and Joy
in spite of his indisposition to stick, !"
but she handed back the letter without
word.
There was look of mute questioning
in poor Uncle Sis eyes as she returned
the epistle, but she did not answer it,
only took down 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 to give the money
to Dave? You know how shabby the
parlor is"
Mrs. Barney was deep in the china
closet and did not answer at first, but,
when she did, her voice was rather
shalIy.
Il 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, L
know. Poor Daver'
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 81 was looking at her, and she
heard him murmur, as he took a pine
stick from the wood-box and went out
doors to whittle:
Poor Dave, he's good boy
''I'u 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. "Ill do without for another
year." she whispered to herself, brush
ing away a 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 fifty-four
dollars, then she placed letter in
Uncle Sis hand.
"Read it," she said, quietly. "And if
you can, take it to town this afternoon"
Uncle 81 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. I hope it is enough. Let
US know how the case terminates.
Yours as ever, MARION BARNEY"
'God bless you, Marion" calculated
Uncle 81, letting the paper flutter to
the floor, while he clasped her hand.
ITS 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's lameness, nor the
ldNlu GlJncT.
Marion turned away with a smile
and something strangely like tear in
her eye, but she was never demonstra-
tive, so she said nothing.
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 new frame,
smiled serenely down from the mantel,
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.
'Read that!" he cried tossing a letter
into Marion's lap 'Just re ad that,
Marion"
Dawes plan had succeeded, strange to
tell, and inclosed was a check for one
hundred dollars, principal and COM
pound interest, with a little besides"
There, Marion, there" cried Uncle
81, fairly dancing in his glee. "What'd
| say? 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 good?"
But Marion only smiled 1t was all |
The answer she could make just them
Mittie II. Towle, in The Home.