The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1900-07-25

1achel nld trten naru 10 make Dsr
sisters stay.
swe've had nsrl wuuik to get along
with what money we could oil earn.
Now we shan begin u get in debt
right straight OF. l ornt pay all the
bills, eyen IL dp have as much as
both ofyou." Argument was nseless
I'VE don't one for debt for n little
whilar they aaid "hnn you are a
goose to keep du.tging SsNay Mt that
old store"
One night Ruiclrel cun,e horpe from
work and half way up the walk she
pau4zi and listHned. She went d.
rectly to tho parior auil stood In the
door confronting her mother and sis
ters. They looked at her guilty, Dora
nervuusly lingering the keys OF n shin
ing new pinno.
'Haye you uEln that thlneT
Rachel asked.
Yes, manm. we have" said So
phie, pertly, ~and what's more we
have made one payment on IT,"
Rachel made gesture of despair.
II can't do anything with you,' she
cried. Here 1t is less than three
weeks since you left the store, and
you have had new dresses, have
bought n piano on installments, and
have had to pay out so much fol
running expenses that the next time
l have TO go to the city for Mr.. TIL.
man l shall have barely money enough
TO pay my car fare and get lunch
Rachel was the one who looked pale
these days. Her pay had been in
creased and she had been given extra
work. She had shown such good
judgment and taste that Mr.. Tillman
had intrusted her with some of his
buying, and it was on this errand that
she went TO the city few days after
the purchasing of the piano.
On this occasion. when she returned.
instead of going home she went TO the
store and had an interview with the
proprietor in his private office. When
she came away she walked brlskly
and looked so cheerful that people
turned 10 look after her. All during
tea she was gay and talkative, and
the others thought that Rachael was
growing more and more good-natured.
When they left the table she said:
Girls, and mother, l want to say
something to you before any OF you
go out this evening. They went into
the parlor and Rachel made herself
comfortable in q wicker rocker, beside
an open window. The others settled
down and looked toward her expect
antly.
'In the first place, Dora" Rachel
began, cheerfully, II had talk with
Mr. Tillman, and he says he can find
something for you TO do in the store.
Miss Durgin Is TO be married before
long and you can have her place when
she goes. In the meantime there are
things you can do, 80 you will go
to work on Monday"
Dora looked amazed.
Il won't go TO work Monday" she
exploded, finally. "The idea of your
debating to mev'
Rachel smiled.
~Oh, yes YOU WILL" she said imper-
'turbably. $50 that is settled As for
YOU Sophie, ] tried to get your old
place back, but Mr.. Tillman told me
quite frankly that the new girl does
better than you did, so he can't afford
to make a change. So you will stay
at home and help mother with the
housework- She will need your help,
for we ore going TO have two girls
to board. They are friends of mine
and are anxious TO make a change,
and l know ] oan get them, though
I have not spoken 10 them yet
"And you needn't bother TO-"
snapped Sophie, -I don't propose %
do housework for boarders.
That does not make any difference, ~
said Rachel, calmly. 81 have seen the
man about the piano. He is coming
for 1t tomorrow. and he will make IL
right about that first payment You
see we cannot possibly pay for ii, and
besides, you won't have time 10 prao.
uco.7
Are you crazyY demanded Dora.
and the others looked at her blankiy
mot bit Not as near it as have
been the last three weeks or SO.
will tell you something that happened
to-day and then you can see that thesS
is nothing eiss to do but what l ha~
planned"
Hurry pp then" said Sophie. "a
wns going down town this evening"
Rachel dasped her hands behind fea
head
Il met friend of mine In the city
to-day she said, slowly. 81 had nor
seen him for some time. He took mt
to lunch and we had a good talk HI
had been on sea voyage and 1t hat
entirely restored his health. No< only
this, but tn mid-ocean be became 90
quainted with the lady who is 10 bt
his wife. She Is very charming. "
course, and ] am to go with him u
call on hsr the next time I am Il
the city,
Sophie interrupted hnpatiently.
Il don't see what all. this has 70 d
| with us"
You douAt?- said Rachel In surprise
Then ! Will tell you. This man wh,