Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1899-03-09
No. 10

said Mr.. johnson.
well. | want to borrow 20 to buyA
bicycle. There!" said the girl. with A
decisive tap of the parasol upon the
floor. You see, I've spent every, penny
of my quarters allowance, and thereA4
still month before I've any more due
and simply must have that bicycleI
and l looked over all the advertisements
about money, and saw yours and SO \
came to YOU"
Might inquire what name, ma'am?"
said Mr.. johnson.
''Oh, I'm Miss Lattimer-of course,
you know my father-Mr. Robert Lat
timer?'
Certainly" replied Mr.. johnson,
more astonished than ever. "Tve no
doubt that he'd buy you bicycle now"
NO, he won't. He thinks e200 o
year quite enough for girl to spend.
No, shall have TO buy my own bicycle"
Mr.. johnson took the quill out of his
mouth and scratched his head with the
feathered end OF il.
I'm afraid your father wouldn't APP
prove, ma'am-," he began.
''Oh, he's not to know, you know.
This is a little deal just between you
and me. After all, It's not getting
things on credit, is it? Because the
money will really be mine when you've
lent it to me, won'tit?"
"Ye-es," answered Mr.. johnson.
"Ye-es"
That's all right, thenl" said Misc
Lattimer, triumphantly. "Well, have
got to sign any papers or anything, Mr..
Johnson?"
1T is usual to make inquiries before
completing"
"Oh, but I've no time for inquiriesl"
exclaimed Miss Lattimer. "1've got to
meet friend at the cycle agents In an
/ hour. Oh-look here, I'll leave you my
card, Mr.. Johnson, in case you want my
address,"
} Mr.. johnson looked at the piece of
| pasteboard and then at Miss Lattimer.
Something impelled him TO rise and un-
lock safe, which stood In a corner OF
the office. He fumbled about and final
ly produced four five-pound notes. new
from the Bank of England.
"Well, ma'am," said Mr.. johnson, 'it
isn't my usual way of doing business,
but" and there he paused, utterly un-
able to explain matters to himself.
when did you say you could pay 1t
back, ma amp"
"Oh, on the first of july" replied Miss
Lattimer. That's scarcely month, In
it?"
"Then may expect to see you on the
first of July, ma'am, said Mr.. johnson,
laying down the notes.
Certainly you mayl" exclaimed Mias
Lattimer, delightedly. Thanks, awful
lyl" She stuffed the notes into gold
mounted purse and smiled at Mr.. john
son. with oil the innocent pleasure OF
child who has got what it wants. "But
we haven't arranged anything-haven't
/ 10 sign paper or ranything?"
"I think" said Mr.. johnson. slowly,
"that we'll leave that over until you pay
the money, ma'am. I'll only charge you
reasonableir eirterestf for such short loan.
'Ofcourse, ma'am, you'll not mention this
little transaction to anybody" he add
ed, anxiously. 1--WE always keep thesS
matters quiet-very quiet"
"Oh, to be surel" laughed the girl.
"Well. thanks, Mr.. johnson, and good
by-you'll see me on the first OF July
dead certain, you know"
On the first OF July Mr.. johnson sat
In his Office in a state of nervous expec-
fancy; but the nervousness had moth
Ing to do with the money which was due
from Miss Lattimer. All the morning
he waited and all the afternoon and still
she came not. And then as evening
drew near the postman brought q reg
istered letter and Mr.. johnson opened
IL and drew out @ 30 In notes and one
pound in gold and note that smelled
of violets.
After long time Mr.. johnson rose
from his desk and locked up the notes
in his safe Then he stock the sovereign
in his hand and went out into the
street He presently came to the little
shop of working jeweler and entered
IL timidly. When he came out the SOW
ereign hung on his simple watch chain
and his fingers falt for 1t and caresseq
IL ms IL 1t had been live thing. And
that was the end.-ChicagoD Daily News.