Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-08-12

shelves, hung some imitation lace COL
lars in the window and unlocked the
door for the days business.
Behind the store, which was the
front parlOr of her house, were the
rooms where Maria lived.
As she sat at the window waiting for
customers she saw a girlish form hurry
past and enter the grocery store. Ma
ria Bevis smiled sourly.
"'Shiftless," she muttered. snatching
irritably ut the red yarn of her ball.
IF that amt just like Amy Lane.
Probably just got out of bed and gone
TO the store for something for break
fast, 1 never could believe Cousin
Sans daughter could be so different
from me! Bevises have always been
thrifty and Woodworking. Somehow
Amy Bevis was different: then she
went and married Howard Lane, and
everybody knows it's starvation busi-
ness running a country. newspaper.
But
The door swung inward with jan
Cling bell, and a little, black eyed.
white haired woman hoped in like
sparrow and perched on a chair.
"Well. Maria. how goes itr' twittered
Ida Ramsell girlishly.
I'm all right. Ida" returned Maria
dryly. Going out to sew today?"
"Yes-up to Mrs Bremers I'll
want two yards of slate colored silesia
and two spools of black thread No.
60, guess. Just saw Amy" remarked
Ida.
$50 did II
Amy looks sick, Maria"
Probably she eats too much pastry.
I hear she lives out of the bakery"
shifted Maria. squirting nearsightedly
into a box of thread.
They are having b. I'd time to get
along" murmured Ida kindly.
"Humph! Howard better go to
work and do something that will bring
in real money. l never dreamed when
lent that money to Amy's father that
he would die without penny. When
| spoke to her about it she and How
ard up and promised to pay every
cent, with interest"
"a heard they said they would pay
compound interest"
Maria flushed. You do hear lot OF
trashy talk, Ida, Howard did say that
but it's all talk. They've never made
but the One payment on the interest
l never expect to get the rest"
II expect it's good deal for you tc
lose" suggested Ida inquisitively.
That's a personal natter returned
Maria stifly It's enough that l len
it to Cousin Sammy. and he gave ms
the note for it payable on demand
Amy and Howard have promised t.
pay it. But, land, I've given it up!"
Folks say you don't speak TO Am.
and Howard now" ventured Ida Ram
sell as she arose to go.
For once folks are right. / told ZEN
l didn't hold to keeping acquaintance
with cheats"
"Maria." For once Ida's sharp voice
was warmly sympathetic for youni
Howard Lane and his wife. Amy
Swiftly she changed the topic. MI
Busby told me to tell you that yo'
was appointed one of the delegates t
! the convention at Ripple River
There'll be twenty-five churches repre-
scented. Mrs Bremer's another,
suppose you'll go?"
go nowhere!" cried Maria bitterly
81 can't afford to. Ida. If Amy wOul'
pay me that money I could go"
well. I'm sorry. GoOdby." sal
Ida hurriedly. and the door jangle'
after her. My" she breathed as sh
skipped down the street. Maria mus
l think of all the things she's wante
to do and couldn't because OF the mon
ey tied up in that family loan feel
if she was Il martyr"
Ida Ramsell repeated that remar
= the next afternoon at the sewing sc
ciety, and a buzz of laughter wen
around the group of busy women.
1T must be thousands of dollars" oh
served Mrs. Bremen quietly. although
never could understand how Marl
Bevis could get hold of very much +
lend. l remember. when | went int
black for Mr.. Bremen. | offered to sci
her my new garnet silk. but Maria sal,
/. she couldn't afford it just then; She,
lent every penny to Sammy's folks ant
they hadn't paid her back"
TOO bad OF her TO talk so nue.
about it," said the minister's wife
Family affairs are best kept in til
family"
That's what I'm always telIin
Maria" chirruped Ida RamselI. sew
ing jerkily. But she will gable abou
ii. Does seems IL her milk of human
: Kindness was turned to vinegar an
she just rejoiced in gettings sisps a
Howard and Amy"
81 wonder how the baby is." mul
INJURED Mrs. Busby. the minister's wifi.
Better. so Amy said when | ran 1
there yesterday. Seems they ha
trouble with the milk from Long.
Howard wants to buy COW. but
guess he doesn't dare to until they pa
Maria"
That same night Amy and Howar
: Lane sat in their garden and talked @
the future and played with Joyce. wi;
seemed much better From tent 0
the green came sounds of Iar1htar !, N