Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1907-05-17
For Spot Cash
BY Martha
MccullOch Williams
Copyright, 1905. by Homer sprague
WOMAN sighs, 4 wish
man should say, 4 WILL"
=
Norris read from an oll
commonplace book, adding

N Norris read from an olC
commonplace book, adding
with a little laugh: Lord, how thii
generation discounts that fine piece O.
Bulwer's sentlmentallty! Women now
adays have got past signing anything
Instead they say things, and. behold
the things are DONE"
(Which means, If anything, tina
you're dead sore," Marvin retorted
pulling hard at his pipe. Il don't won
der at It," he went on. 'You were sc
Immortality certain Baby Curran would
make ducks and brakes of her venture
when, 10, she's succeeded in way to
astonish everybody"
Wrong, as usual" Norris comment
ed. Marvin shook his head, with a
lazy laugh, saying: George. but I'm
glad Daddy Curran left nothing but
debts and a livery stable TO his flock
of children. There was nothing for
Baby to do except keep on with the
business
"There was. She might have mar
ried me-" Norris interrupted. "She
knew I'd look out for her stepmOther
and the kids
''No doubt" Marvin broke In, but
that isn't Baby's way. Don't you re-
member how at school she wouldn't
be told In class or have her sums done
for her? Honest independence is her
ruling passion-so much so, indeed,
feared to have her go into this. Dad
dy Curran never thought of doubling
anybody's word until he had to. /
thought Baby was off the same piece.
So she Is, but she's got something else
in her. Her spot cash conscience, she
calls it. heard her explaining to old
Major Axtun that the way to avoid |
bad debts was to have no debts at all |
and let the bank do all the bookkeep-
ing"
Norris drummed hard on the table.
"I'm a fool to keep on caring!' he
burst out "She puts me aside like a
last years bonnet; won't hear to mar
rying me until the debts are paid and
Benny boy through school and ready to
step into her shoes. That means four
years at least Meantime there's the
devil to pay with my people. They're
not purse proud, but who can blame
them If they don't want to welcome as
a daughter a headstrong young woman
who has made herself the talk Of the
not even though she did it with
the best intentions in the world? My
mother was at me yesterday, asking
me If wanted wife who had grown
sharp at bargaining with half the horse
dealers and teamsters in the country
Jide. 1t seems Baby Is setting up to
buy saddle stock
II don't know anybody with bet
er right. She knows horses better
han the most of u.s." Marvin inter-
posed. "And, all things considered, 1t
S a good thing. She has her market
'eady made, as it were. Those city
'olks take everything of class she can
ind them and pay her a handsome
profit"
''You seem to hold brief for her."
Norris said sulkily, gleam Of sus-
picion In his eyes. at might be well
for you to Join hands with her. You
might make more at horse dealing than
you ever did at the law"
VERY likely-if had Baby's chance.
But certainly l shan't scheme to take
It from her." Marvin said steadily;
then, flushing a little, he added: II
would be only too glad to join hands
with her in anything-and for life. But
she has let me know that's out Of the
question. When she set you free she
left herself bound, little as you deserve
It."
The last word was flung over his
shoulder. He had risen and was strid-
Ing toward the door. Norris looked
after him, half angrily, half shamedly,
then glanced about the handsomelYap-
pointed Office with a scowling sneer
His grandfather had been governor.
his father was a senator, his mother
led society in Allingham. Naturally
she looked high for her only son, much
higher than a bankrupt's daughter, who
had taken upon her shoulders an un-
wOInanly burden. Still she had not set
herself openly against her sons choice.
She had even approved, though mildly,
his intention of constancy. How, then,
should he suspect that she was plan.