Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-08-12
The Daily Story
MARIA's MoNEY-BY CLAR1ssA MAcKIE.
Copyrighted. 1913 by Associated Literary

and Mrs. Howard I.anc?" he asked
abruptly.
Yes" said Howard.
I'm Tobias Bevis-Maria's brother.
Guess you've heard of me from your
father. Amy. amt it? You was
little girl when went away. Your
father, my Cousin Sammy, mortgaged
his house for $1,000 to send me to
California TO get back my health.
Well. got it back and went to Aus
tralia, and I've been making money.
I've brought back Cousin Sammy's
money with compound interest. It's
here in this packet I'm sorry I
couldn't give it TO him direct. He was
one OF the best men in the world"
The mans voice trembled as he finish
ed speaking.
Without questioning why this long
delayed loan was only now being re-
paid, Howard and Amy ushered To-
bias Bevis into the house and listen
ed to his story.
al came here first. Maria wasn't
home, and l went TO the minister, Mr..
Busby, and he gave me the particulars
of Cousin Sammy's death. I'm sorry.
Amy. that your father lost his home
on account of me. but I'll make it up,
if 1 can, to this little girl of yours.
Did you say her name was Joyce?"
He played with the baby while
Amy and Howard counted the money
with trembling fingers and unbeliev-
ing eyes. Twenty-Five hundred dol
lars! What wealth! Perhaps there
would be enough left after Cousin
Maria's awful debt was paid to give
them fair start in the world Pay
ing the interest had always kept them
back.
I'VE must so tonight" whispered
Amy, and Howard nodded assent.
Tobias promised to care for the
baby until their return. and the happy
pair FASTENED to Maria's house, where
they found that spinster in a state of
perturbation over the discovery of
mans leather suit case on her front
piazza.
What in time has happened?" she
asked tartly as she ushered them into
her sitting room.
We've come to pay the note" said
Amy proudly. Twill you please bring
It at once. Cousin Maria? We must
get it off our minds"
with compound interest,"" added
Howard.
Maria looked at them blankly. She
had never expected the note to be paid,
and she had not looked at it for years.
SLOWLY she walked to the china closet
and took down a large blue china tea
pot. She thrust her hand in the top
and drew out a bundle OF yellowed
/ papers.
| Her specialized eyes selected one and
/ brought it to the table and laid it on
the red cover There it is" she said
! skeptically do you want to pay the
! whole of it?".
II hope it isn't over $4,000" whisper
| ed Amy prayerfully as she turned over
/ the note
She stared uncomprehendlngly at 1t
! and gave it TO her husband. what
| does it say?" she whispered tensely.
Howard read and his face flushed.
Cousin Maria. do you mean to say
! luul lulS hOle Is Ouiy lOi 9-o-lbhb thue
is all Father Bevis borrowed from
| your he demanded holly.
Maria nodded dazedly. 81 guess
that's right" she said sheepishly.
Somehow | got to thinking how many
things could do with that money. II
got to seem like a whole lot. II
She paused helplessly. while Howard
counted out $50 and pushed II
across the table. Then he caught up
the note and set lighted match to It.
When 1t crumbled to ashes he looked
across the BACKED fragments on the
red cloth into Maria's scared eyes.
Maria Bevis." he said gravely.
you've spoiled the three years Of our
married life. all for that paltry little
sum- 1t is paid in full. How are you
going to pay us back for the, agony
you have caused us? You have mnde
us the lauGhingstock of the villngt
and -.-
Don't Howard" said Amy softly
"Please don't. She is sorry"
"What would Ripplcdale say ~ Il
knew how much we really owed you?'
Howard added remorselessly.
Marla's head dropped into her hands
Tell 'em." she shifted miserably. II
don't blame you one mite"
There was silence. Then Howard
spoke abruptly. I'VE won't tell a word
Maria. People may think what they
please. about the amount. but it Is you
place to inform every one that the note
is paid. the debt is cancelled. Will yor
do it,"
Yes" cried Maria fervently. "Tl
tel! 'em tomorrow at the missionary
meeting. and don't suppose you'll
ever have much to do with me again.
Nonsense" said Amy brightly. TN
coming over tomorrow morning will
baby to buy something for new(lIttl,
dresses and we will have q coy chat
But Maria Bevis punished herself II
her own way. When her brother To
bias came in and surprised her by hi,
sudden arrival she told him the Who'll,
story. and any one who knew Mari,
Bevis and realized how she worshipe,
this young brother might nnderstant
that Maria Bevis was not too old I,
, learn a lesson.