The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1911-07-21
[ooNTINUED.J
CHAPTER vi.

=
IN Phillip on day especially
4 \ prolific of new champagne
fed paupers was surprised to receive a
visit from Elsie White. She was pale
and nervous. Much worry had caused
her to lose sleep.
81 have come to tell you my troubles.
as have always DONE" she said.
Lets hear all about it." invited
Phillip cordially. Il don't think my
little sister ever came to me in the old
days that I didn't help her out of her
difficulties If possible"
Indeed, no." she said gratefully.
"You were the finest sort Of big broth
err"
She fingered a trifle upon that word,
unconsciously emphasizing it ever so
slightly. Philip outwardly accepted
the word as pleasant expression of
confidence. Inwardly he WINGED at it.
who has broken your doll this
timer" he asked, with a smile.
at is worse than broken doll" she
said. when you were in Hampton
you spoke about securing employment
for father"
81 have thought about 1t a great
many times" Phillip replied. "but out
side of his trade he has so little adapt
ability that could not think Of a
place for him.
Again Elsie clasped her hands anc
plunged heroically into her Grand
He must be put in a position to
earn some money. We are really in a
desperate condition. Phillip. Yester-
day we received notice that we must
give up our home, and we must move
out by Saturday. We shall lose our
furniture at the same time. Until re-
Gently we had credit at the butchers
and the grocer's, but that has been
cut of. Grace's husband is wandering
somewhere out west penniless and
hunting for work, and Grace and her
two little children have come to us at
q time when we can do nothing for
them, yet they are ours, and we must
take care of them. Grace is not
strong. OF the seven Of us in the
house only father and are physically
able to earn living. The time has
come when we must find work."
She did not tell him OF their actual
hunger, but Phillip. looking at her
drawn face, could guess and was
shocked. He longed to take her in his
arms and comfort her, but he did not.
"Really, Elsie. didn't know. /
couldn't believe. that the case was so
desperate" he said with contrition.
First Of all. you must let me make
your father loan sufficient to cover
all needs. the payments on the house
and furniture, the little outstanding
bills, enough to cure Ed and to run on.
No one outside the family has better
right than l to do this, and no one
would be so glad"
81 know" she returned. "You are
very delicate. too, to offer to make the
loan to father, but I'd rather you
would lend 1t to me. for have deter
mined to become the business man Of
the family"
Just as you like" agreed Phillip.
"How much shall you needy
She handed him a little slip of paper
upon which the amounts were already
set down and totaled. The sum was
pitifully small in view Of all the vast
sums which Phillip had at his disposal
IL don't think 1t wise for you to
confine this to actual necessities" he
urged. .'It would be much better to
take larger sum. one that would
cover all emergencies"
Elsie shook her head firmly. mo"
she said II have already allowed
small leeway. The less can make the
burden the better / shall feel about
1t, for 1t must all be paid back. Please
let me have my own way"
II don't see how can do otherwise"
replied Phillip. giving her the money.
She took 1t. gulping down little lump
which rose in her throat, then said
with pretty little assumption Of bust.
ness:
Il want you to write out note for
me to sign"
Without protest Phillip did SO ane
put the note carefully away.
Now we come back to the question
Of employment" said he. you men
toned while ago your fathers gar
dening hobby. Do you suppose he
would take position in that line?
"A month ago he would not, but now
he would gratefully. If you can get
him such place 1t would perhaps
solve our problem"
II believe that can" unused Phil
lip. Just wait minute" and he
wrote note. inclosing it in an ad-
dressed envelope, which he handed to
her. "If your father will take this
note to the address on the envelope /
am quite certain they will make a
place for him"
II don't know how to thank you,"
she said. "You will have to take Il
Tor granted"
He took her warm hand in his own.
and II In that moment he had obeyed
tie impulse that was in his heart, If he
had spoken the words that strove to
1psb nnon his iins. the whole course of