The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1907-10-23

AS for Ruth and Myra, the large
house OF their dreams had been re-
duced to three pleasant rooms and a
tiny pantry.
It's really all we need" said Myra.
YES" acquiesced Ruth. 1--WE cant
afford to keep servants, and we don't
want any more rooms to care for"
And think we'd better pay one
months rent in advance" said Myra.
1--WE won't have to worry about that
item, then
NO" said Ruth, craftily, "and ii
will be easier to get out of paying the
next months rent"
They furnished their rooms daintily
and simply and made their first pay
lnent on the things. The rooms were
not heated, but they had large kitch-
EN- range which warmed them sufii-
ciently with the aid of little oil heat
er in extreme weather. There being
a family in the tenement below, the
floors were not cold.
And now they began to take comfort
Every evening saw them at concert,
a lecture or the theatre. The enter
tanning had not begun as yet. Ruth
had bought chafing dish in anticipa-
tion of the little parties she would
give, but she had not used it except
to practice upon. Somehow they did
not seem to find congenial friends,
as they had expected.
The first month passed thus. When
the second had opened, with the funds
in the bahng-powder box alarmingly
low, the sisters began to be a trifie ap-
prehensive. They took to going out
separately in the daytime.
One day Ruth came bounding up the
stairs and burst into the kitchen, her
face wreathed in smiles. Myra stood
there smiling also, and her face very
red from working over the hot stove.
1--WE got work." said Ruth joyous
ly.
so have l." said Myra.
I'm going to work in flower store.
| showed the man what | could do
this afternoon, and he praised my work
and told me to come tomorrow for
Steady job
And I'm going to cook for WON.
ans exchange said Myra. 81 carried
some things there day before yester-
day, and they sent me an order today,
and they think I'll have all the work
| want to do"
After this the sisters went out eve
nings less than they had done. They
worked steadily and were contented.
Ruth made some friends at the flower
store, and the chafng dish came into
use at last.
AS they grew more accustomed to
their work they fell into the way OF
going to a play in the middle of the
week, a concert Saturday night and
to church on Sunday. The last of
February came, and for some little
time the sisters had been subject to
attacks of melancholy. One evening
they sat together resting after hard
days work. Ruth was the first to
speak. 81 don't know what's the mat
ter with you, but am as homesick as
DEATH"
80 am l." said Myra.
81 want to get back to the farm"
$50 do l."
81 don't think much of this way of
living. I'd rather be poor but honest"
81 know | would" said Myra. Then,
with unusual vehemence, &" hate
debt"
$50 do l." said Ruth. "And install
ments aren't the least bit of fun"
mo, they are not"
81 wonder how much we owe? Let's
reckon it up and know the worst It's
hung over me like a nightmare all
winter"
1T has over me, too. If hadn't
been so busy I'd have gone crazy.
It's awful"
Il know it," said Ruth. 1T was
lucky we could get work. But | want
to get back home. Poverty and hon.
esty for me, every time."
my sentiments, too," said Myra.
well, let's take the fatal plunge.
How much do we owe? Will we have
to mortgage the farm to pay it?'
Il don't know | guess not. The
furniture is what worries me most"
and Myra's brow became furrowed
with lines of care.
"Oh, that's all right" said Ruth
easily. made the last payment on
that two weeks ago."
you" Myra gasped.
why, you see, the things are pref
ty, and l thought they'd come in
handy at the farm-we need new fur
niture there-and so / went and made
a payment every week, after l got
work. That hasn't troubled me at all,
but l have lain awake nights worry
ing about the groceries"
Why" said Myra, ever since be-
gan to cook for the exchange l have
paid for all the groceries and paid up
the back bill, too. 1t doesn't cost us
much to live, you know. And I've
paid for the coal and the kerosene be-
Sides"
Why-why, then we don't owe any