Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1899-12-21
A PR0NIss0RY N0TE.
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dow that overlooked the tiny park
across the street. II was early spring,
and the trees in their suits Of freshest
green told once again their never
old story of life renewed, hope and
faith in the future.
The wholesome lesson was lost to
Mary this morning Not since she had
been left to battle with life alone had
the struggle seemed so hard, the
prospect So dark. The property be-
queathed by her father yielded reve-
nue. sufficient for the ordinary needs
Of the family, which consisted OF a
brother and two sisters, all younger
than herself, but it seemed impossible
by the best management to provide
for the completion OF Henrys ednca'
ton. This, to Mary and her sisters
was an all important project, but
when the utmost sacrifices had been
made, what more could be done?
"Henry isn't prepared to take up
professional work yet" Mary contin.
ued, and il doesn't seem right that he
should be deprived of his opportunities
just that tn rest of us may live along
doing nothing
The girls were not doing nothing
by any means; but in the light Of Their
ambitions for their brother all their
efforts seemed feeble and valueless
His present term at college could be
finished, for all the bills were paid. II
was the next gear that was in ques'
ton, and as that was long way of
Mary sensibly decided not to waste
any more energy in worrying about it
So she opened one of the drawers
Of the desk, which had been her faith
er's, to get various documents bearing
upon insurance and other business
matters, for the purpose I studying
them. As the drawer came open 0
piece Of folded paper fell to the floor
Evidently it had been caught in thu
bottom Of the upper drawer and hat
been dislodged accidentally. Mary
picked it up and unfolded it, wonder
Ing rather idly what it was. Sht
could hardly believe her eyes when SHIT
saw that it was q lomissory note
made by her father for the sum of $500
and signed by Jacob A. Bent. Seyera
times she read 1t over to make SURE
that she understood 1t. There could bt
no mistake. The note was in proper
form and though it was long over
due there was no mark of any kint
upon it to show that it had been paid
Mary knew Mr. Bent slightly. He
had bad business dealings with hel
father, and the two men were appar
emily loyal friends. It seemed strange
that Mr.. Bent should not have called
attention to the note at the time Of it,
maturity, and paid it for he knew thu
circumstances of the family. Perhaps
he had forgotten it; but II he had
this would be an unmistakable re-
minder and, of course, he would set
tie at once.
Mary's joy was unbounded. This, in
deed, was 'money from the sky" and
better still, it was amply sufficient ia
solve the problem hat veyed her most
Too happy to keep her good fortune
to herself, she laid the note on the
desk and ran to another room to tell
her sister Flora about it. The sister,
naturally, could hardly credit the good
news, and after she had exclaimed over
II delghtedly she went back with
Mary to feast her own eyes upon the
note that meant 50 much to them.
They found the floor near the desk
somewhat Uttered with papers. Evil
IDENTIFY n msehieyous breeze had been
cutting capers during Mary's absence.
With no thought of anxiety the girls
picked up the papers, and Mary looked
for the promssory note, She could
not find it. All other papers that she
knew had been on her desk were
there. The note alone was missing.
at must have blown out of the win.
dow" said Flora, family
Their hearts were heavy with appre-
hension now, and they both leaned out
of the window and craned their necks
in both directions. There wasno sign
Of the one scrap of paper they wanted.
They went out of doors and searched
the entire neighborhood, all to no pur-
pose. At length they returned to the
room where the desk was, and sat for
q time looking at each other IN silent
despair.
II wish you hadn't found it, Mary"
said Flora.
This remark reused the elder sister,
and inspired her with courage,
moi" she exclaimed, "that isn't the
way to look at it. The finding Of the
paper shows that Mr.. Bent owes us
that money. AS he owes it, of course,
he'll pay it. I'll so at once to him and
tell him all about it,"
Within an hour Mary was in Mr..
Bent's office, telling her story with
every confidence that he would need
but a reminder Of the obligation to
meet it forthwith. lie listened to her
interestedly, saying nothing until she
had finished. Then, "lm sorry for
you,' said he, "but you must learn
lesson from it not to leave papers OF
value lying about" lie stood to indi-
cate that the interview was at an end.
"But, Mr. Bent" faltercd Mary, you
remember making the note, do yru
not?"
"Really, Miss Thayer," was his cool
response, you speak as If you ex-
pected me to pay you for your care
lessness. II you have any claim
against me, bring me the evidence OF
it and III attend to it."
That, in brief, was all the satisfac.