The herald., 1911-11-30
SHE COLLECTED
THE ACCOUNT
By MARY D. JENNINGS
Copyright by American Press Asso-
citation 1911.
By MARY D. JENNINC


sold a man named Merritt some goods
that were never paid for. Reinhart
sent collector after him, and the man
came back with a black eye. He sent
another man. and he came back with
a broken jaw. Reinhart found 1t i'm
possible to get any more collectors
after that, for he felt in honor bound
to tell them that Merritt was fight
Ing man and sent every collector back
with some damage instead OF the
amount due.
One day a young woman came into
Remnants store and asked him II he
had any bad debts to give her for
collection. She was pretty, and a good
natured smile continually played about
her red lips, just like a humming bird
fitting near flower.
Suddenly bright thought struck
Reinhart. He would give this girl
Merritts debt to collect. He told her
that there was an amount he would
like to get in. but felt bound to In
form her Of the reception his men col
lectors had met and to warn her
that she would be liable to receive
some pretty rough treatment
Just the kind Of man l like" she
said, with the same delightful smile.
81 have no use for these mild man
nered men-ha, ha! But you don't
think he'll really hurt me, do you?"
Reinhart told her that any man
who would hurt such a charming
young woman would be brute indeed
and assured her that il she received
any bodily injury from Merritt he
Reinhar) would have Merritt arrested
and see that he was punished.
The amount Of the bill was S1S557,
| with S3S42 for interest Reinhart
told the girl Miss Anthem she called
herself that be would give her half
the amount If she succeeded In collect
ing It all and 80 per cent Of whatever
amount she did collect. He made out
a fresh bill and gave 1t to the collector,
and she went away smiling.
The next day Miss Anthem went to
/ see Merritt, with the same pleasant
smile on her face, and succeeded In
getting into his house without his
knowing her errand. He received her
kindly, but when she sprung the bill
on him he told her that II she didn't
leave instantly she would be elected
She replied by sitting down In Mer'
ritt's study-he was q literary man
and, removing her hat, let him see
that she was going to stay till she
chose to 60. But she smiled on him
that perpetual smile Of hers, and the
debtor, forgetting his debt, watched 1t
wondering where It came from. She
didn't seem a bit afraid, paying no at
tention to his threat, to have her put
out She ratified on about various
things In a simple and childlike way
saying nothing more about the collec
ton. She sat an hour, after which
she arose and asked If Merritt woult
take up the matter Of paying Rein
harris account If the interest were re
mitted. Since there was nothing yer!
definite in this, Merritt said that !
the interest were deducted he woul'
surely consider putting the matter II
shape for ultimate payment
He chuckled when he closed tn
door on the collector and though
what an innocent, guileless girl sh
was. Surely Reinhart had resorted {
very stupid method of getting III
account. But Merritt noticed that tn
girl had left her smile behind bel
He was writing a story at the time
her entrance and attempted to COZ
tinue it after her departure. 1t n
fused to be continued. 1t seemed
Merritt that his characters wer
. laughing at him. He threw down hl
Den and, taking up his hat, started on
t to walk of this indisposition for wor
that had come upon him.
9 The next afternoon Miss Anthem cal
d ed again on Mr.. Merritt, and 1t SCENE
i to the author that a fountain sparklin
e and making rainbows in the sun ha
!. come in with her. She began by ga,
: ing something pleasant, and ran fro
n that to something else pleasant, an
then something else pleasanter still. Z
e It occurred to Merritt that she WI
= like the girl in the fairy story WI
y every time she spoke, dropped a pea
b from her lips. She made herself
e home as before, and Merritt made
It threat Of ejectment When she depai
l. ed she told him that Reinhart WI
q perfectly willing to throw on the
" terest from his bill, and she wished
D know what Mr.. Merritt thought OF
s. compromise Of the account at 80 cen
e on the dollar.
Merritt dismissed her, saying tn
It he thought 80 cents on the dollar qui
lg enough to pay under the circumstance
% and Miss Author took her departul
e. again leaving her smile behind her.
ID fortnight passed and she had y
" called again. Merritt missed her. o
day he met her on the street and ask
n her when she was coming to recei
a. payment for the compromise amou
20 of the Reinhart bill. She told him II
10 Reinhart wanted the full amount
"A the bill, with the interest
m "Well. come in and talk 1t over"
said.
-. The next day Merritt was revived
40 a call from the collector. 1t seem
n that be had been living at the moi
= pole In December and with her
A.a ,ofa vaA