The Republican journal., 1901-10-03
THE BAD QUARTER.

The first Saturday of the winter, too,
on which skating had been possible.
''Of course, Leona, WILL" she said,
after swallowing once or twice. eff
you stay at home and let mamma doctor
your cold, you will be all right by Mon
day
Just then the gentle little mother
brought in the steak and coffee, and
they all took their places at the break
fast table. The family consisted of the
father and mother and these two daugh-
tiers. Leona was twenty-one, and for a
year she had had small stock of fancy
work materials for sale in the book and
stationery store of friend. In addi-
ton to selling these goods, she did en-
broidery for others. Her mother and
sister helped with this work.
Irene was fourteen, and a tenth-grade
pupil in the Somerville High School,
There was an especial reason that winter
for the great interest shown in the store.
In two months the small mortgage on
their home was due Mr.. Gage had been
, partial invalid for years, but had now
regained his health, and was working at
fair salary. He would be able to pay
the debt all but 800. His wife and
daughters were working hard, hoping
to be able to surprise him by giving him
the needed sum.
So Irene cheerfully gave up her holi-
day, and listened to Leona's directions
Its too bad it's Saturday." the eldest
sister began; but Irene interrupted her
I'D have to be excused from school
if it was any other day. | know Satur-
day is busy day, but I'll try not to
make many blunders."
stop at the express office as you go
down. Leona began. The medieval
embroidery silk for Mrs Hunter will be
there. Be careful not to get the filoselle
mixed with the Others. Miss Clay is
coming in to-day to select silk for a
violet centrepiece. Oh, don't forget to
tell Lena Cramer that the Caspian floss
came yesterday. She will stop on her
way to dinner."i
Don't tell me any more, Irene cried.
go back to bed, dear. I'll do my best"
On reaching her sisters place of bust
ness, she proceeded to arrange the small
stock of goods in the most attractive
manner possible. There were several
customers then lull came. Irene
looked over longingly at the display of
books on the opposite counter. Mr..
Wilkins always allowed her to read any
she chose, and there was "a Singular
Life that she could finish in couple of
hours.
Il won't, though" she decided sud
denly. Il will attend to the store; for,
if l begin to read, l shall forget where
am
She sat down to work at the pretty
linen photograph frame her sister had
commenced 1t was to be embroidered
with scarlet carnations, and she select
ed the shades with the greatest care.
She had just finished her midday
lunch, when man, who was stranger
to her, entered the store, and called for
a paper Of needles He threw down a
silver dollar in payment. Irene brought
him the change, but he handed her back
one of the quarters she had given him.
Il don't want that. It's no good" he
said harshly
Irene examined it closely. 1t was
worn and defaced, and the stamp was
different from the one usually found
upon coins of that denomination.
Are YOU sure it is not good?" she
asked
I'm sure you can't pass it off on me.
I'm in hurry" was his uncourteous
reply.
The girls cheeks flushed. He thought
she was trying 10 cheat him. She brought
another quarter of a dollar without
word. When he was gone, she again
looked lnC60lly dU Ln6 piece OF money
that she held in her hand.
L don't know where | got it, but it
will have to be thrown away" she
thought. 1.-The loss will eat up the
profits on the sales | have made this
morning. Just when we are SO anxious
to earn money, too. 1t may be good,
after all"
She stood a moment irreSolute. Then
she went to the cash drawer and put
the quarter in the department where
the coins of that denomination were
kept. Her face burned, but she went
back to her work
The silk knotted and her impatient
fingers made the matter worse. A party
of school girls, skates over their arms,
hurried by, nodding and waving their
hands to her.
Customers were plentiful that after
noon. There was no opportunity of
disposing of the quarter, however, until
close. Mrs. Van Dorm, wealthy but
eccentric old lady, entered and asked for
ribbon.
Let me see some of your work that
is finished" she said after selecting
yard and quarter of ribbon. Il want
to have some embroidery done, if | can
find some one who will do it well.''
Irene deity spread before her the few
pieces of work Leona had on hand. Mrs.
Van Dorm scrutinized them closely, and
asked many questions about the texture
of the linen and the laundrying of the
silk. Irene answered her politely. So
interested did she become that the
haunting coin was forgotten until Mrs.
Van Dorm said, taking half-dollar from
her purse to pay for the ribbon
''Ill see about the work after 1 come
back from Detroit next week.
Irene was disappointed. The order
would have been such help to them
AS she opened the drawer to get Mrs.
Van Dorn's change, the suspected quar-
ter caught her eye.
'I'll give it to her." she thought. ''She
is so rich she will never feel the loss of
twenty-five cents.'
She gave herself no time for thought.
Mrs. Van Dorm dropped the piece of
money in her purse without looking at
it, and started for the door.
Its done,' Irene said to herself,
''and I'm SO glad: for
She stopped abruptly. What had she
done? An overwhelming sense of her
wrong doing smote her. Was it gone
forever,-her honesty and peace2 Mrs.