The Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1???-1928, 1907-03-11
A CHAPTER
IN FINANCE

Il In TlNHVUc
Just as they were about to finish
their prolonged chat and leave the
cable TO hungrler custom ers Bella
made a discovery that chased the pink
from her cheeks and placed an un
wholesome pallor there, Her eyes
took on an expression Of consteIna
lion, not 10 say horror
Della noticed her friends sudden
distress and made ANXIOUS inqf.fy az
70 the cause
Della, said Bella rs way OF reply
how much money have you2'
Just so cen J." Della replied, pro-
ducing coin from somewhere.
1T isn't enough moaned Bella, the
yon entering into her soul. III is 10
tents shy. Our cAecks put together
make 6a osa&s,"
1t was Dal,Ys arm TO feel distress
and show u in the dropping OF her
lips.
"Difs@ SoU bring any money!" she
asked
"Yss. 8 Ard, and | haven't eaten up
70 me srnit of it, either"
Have you lost IT, Bella?'
No haven't and the eyes Of the
inseparables met in an unwayering
but wholly significant glance.
The roses He'd now from Della S
cheeks, and Bella, to put the situation
beyond the possibility of doubt. added
cc!dly;
Tn stepping on it,"
"Oh, how dreadful" exclaimed Della
under her breath, and she took fur
tive look around the busy room.
Customers everywhere, two smart
young men at the table on the right,
three smart young men and an elderly
chap who looked deyilishly smarter, at
the table on the left The situation
was impossible.
As drowning men grasp at straws,
so embarrassed maidens consider pal
pably inefficient devices.
Bella, said Della, doubtfully.
couldn't you cut a slit in you shoe2'
With table knife?" snapped Bella,
whom tragedy made unreasonable,
and ruin a three-dollar-and a.half pair
:or 80 cents? ?"
Della was on the verge Of tears. not
50 much at the caustic refusal of her
well meant suggestion as at the poig
nancy Of the circumstances
Then said she, you'd better let
me pay my check as If 1t covered both
luncheons and skip while I'm at the
desk"
Me skiddoo?" exclaimed Bella still
further e%asperaycd Don't hand out
any such unladylihe proposition to me,
Della. No, I'm going TO demand cred
It. Such things are done They won't
put me in the Tombs for 30 cents"
So saying, the distressed but in.
trepid girl strobe to the cashiers desk,
her sympathetic friend observing that
she walked with a slight limp The
man manager was in charge of the
aeon At taAN iitoAA4tAALs 1t DGlDE TIC ltL II
Of the feminine cash-taker to take
luncheon.
Il can't pay my bill, said Bella di-
'ectly, the color returning in a rosy
Hood TO her cheeks. You'll have to
give me credit till tomorrow" she
added infexibly.
The man manager looked surprised
md just the least bit embarrassed
He was evidently unused to facing
such pair of eyes fixed on his un.
Not being trained
analyst it was not in his capacity to
'ealize that the fire in Bellas eyes
vas of cruelty compromised innocence.
Why" said he, awkwardly Haven't
you any money with your"
Yes ! have, the brave girl replied
desperately, and cant get at il"
A heeting expression suggestive Of
comprehension illumined the man
features, but they quickly
'esumed their normal repose, aided
hereto by the faithful Della, who Gre
tied diversion by pressing forward
md paying her check. This gave them
Ill time to think, and after he had
given Della her change the man man
,ger said:
Perhaps you'd like to explain to
he head waitress
Now the head waitress was a fair. |
lortly person Of 80, or so. as she |
should be, and to her Bella made con /
idential disclosures the precise nature |
If which We will refrain from setting |
0rth.
Suffice it to say that the portly per /
on led Bella, still limping but digni-
led, to the walters cloak room. She |
merged after an interval, the color
till high on her face. the fires of des-
'eration still smouldering in her glo-
ious eyes, and laid q half dollar on
he counter with her check.
No words passed al this critical mo-
lent, The man manager with rare
iscreti0n made change in silence. and
'ella strobe forth free from debt, free
rom the disability that had impeded
er gait, and Joined the apprehensive
bella in the corridor.
Ny" said Della. Il wouldn't 90
Trough that for twice 30 cents"
You'd 90 through IL for 20 ca,,t. s.