The Tupelo journal., 1903-05-29
10 THE LOAN OF
lOE AN UNCLE. )
BY Margaret johnson. Z


III THINK perhaps we ought to be
L going home now, girls said
Pauline. gently. L really think we
ought"
This was at five o'clock. Four times
since she had first made that obser-
walton had the little horse-car tinkled
up TO the end of the single track in
the grass-grown road behind the
three girls, holding them suspended
in an anguish of uncertainty while
the possibility of their going re-
manned open. And then the horse
a had tinkled away again into a
peaceful and reassuring silence.
Satisfied that the way of duty was
for the moment closed. they had
yielded each time to the seduction of
the balmy air that blew softly off the
water and lulled their drowsy con-
sciences to sleep.
At their backs was the high stone
wall, crowned with the green turf
of the slope above; at their feet the
strip of pebbly shore; beyond, the
Sound, blue and sparkling on this
June afternoon.
The suggestion of going home in
these circumstances. and Just when
the descending sun was bringing the
most beautiful hour of the day. was
distinctly obnoxious. SO long as one
could lie back luXuriously upon a
rolled-up jacket, look with half-closed
eyes at all this beauty. and dream
exquisite dreams of success. fame
and wealth, why should one wake to
the dispiriting realization of being a
poor art student, lodging with two
other kindred souls in a bare fourth
floor bedroom, and celebrating a Sat
urday afternoon half-holiday by a 30
cent trip to City island? What were
such miserable details to the three
dreamers on this enchanted shore?
Pauline's visions were identical
with those of her companions, but
her conscience was somewhat more
active, and she ruthlessly ore her
self from a beatific vision of the
studio of the future 10 say again
and for the fourth time, more insist
emily than before:
III l. NoiN tbIIh We ouShl ~
be going home!"
Neil and Bella looked at her with
a reproach which implied that she
was personally responsible for the
necessity of their going home at all;
but they sat up and began to unroll
their jackets.
And then it was, and not till then,
that the truth came out.
by the way" said Neil, casually,
81 shall have to borrow my fare
home from one of you girls. ! ac-
tually haven't a cent in my pocket
book"
"Cornelia Bent" said Pauline. you
haven't spent the whole of your
months allowance already?'
Every cent said Neil, pensively
regarding the fiat and shabby purse
upon her knee. Il was afraid you
wouldn't let me come, dear, if you
knew"
Indeed / shouldn't. Your spend
thrift ways L a great anxiety to
me. Cornelia. The example you set
little Bella here, the influence you
a on her
''She won't borrow anything from
me-" broke in little Bella. recklessly,
although with flushing cheeks. ''be-
cause / haven't anything to lend. 1t
took my last penny to pay my way
here. and i counted on your getting
me home somehow between you.
There, Pauline, now don't be too
hard on me. It's been a very ex-
~pensive month, and you wouldn't have
had me stay at home to-day! Help
us out this time, that's a dear, and
we'll never do so any more. Well
reform"
Help you Quit" echoed Pauline,
with the ~sternest of despair. Look
at that, will you"
She extended her open purse. A
pink transfer ticket. a shopping-list.
and two cents were obviously the
whole of it's contents. There was a
painful pause. /,
But, Pauline" gasped Bella, you
the soul of prudence-you never
spend all your money-you always
manage
Il did it on purpose said Pauline,
tragically. Neil has owed me nine
ty-seven cents for three weeks, 81
/ was going to make her pay my
fares home. l thought she wouldn't
have the heart to leave me stranded
on this desert coast"
seWe are all three stranded on this
decerf coast. 1T GEMS. said Neil. bit
terly, thanks to your sordid scheme!
Girls, look in your pockets-the