The Ontario Argus. (Ontario, Or.) 1???-1947, 1913-10-02

girl. Only do wish we could pay
Cousin Maria's note"
They started to go into the house
when a man entered the front gate
and came briskly toward them. "Mr.
and Mrs. Howard Laner 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 a
little girl when I 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 II 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
couldn't give II to him direct. He was
one Of the best men In the world"
The mans voice tremblod as he finish.
ed speaking.
without questioning why this long
delayed loan was only now being re-
paid. Howard and Amy ushcred To-
bias Bevis into the house and listen
cd to his story.
IL came here FIRST. Maria wasn't
home. and 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 homo
on account Of me. but I'll make II up.
II l 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 n fair start In the world. Pay
Ing the interest had always kept them
back.
I'VE must go tonight" whispered
Amy. and Howard nodded assent.
Tobias promised to care for the
baby until their return. and tho happy
pair FASTENED TO Maria's house. where
thcy found that spinstcr In n state Of
perturbation over the discovery OF a
mans leather suit case on her front
piazza.
"What In time has happenedT' she
asked tartly AZ she ushered them into
her sitting room.
"we've come to pay the note" said
Amy proudly. "will you please bring
Il at once. Cousin Mariaf We must
get II on our minds"
with compound interest,"" added !
Howard.
Maria looked nj them blankly. She
had never expecied the note TO be paid.
and she hnd not looked at II for years.
Slowly she walked TO the china closet
and took down large blue china tea
pot. She thrust her hand In the top |
and drew out bundle OF yellowed
papers.
Her spectacled eyes selected one and
brought Il TO the table and laid Il on
the red cover. There IL ls." she said
skeptically. "Do you want 10 pay the
whole OF itT'
II hope Il isn't over $1,000" whisper
I'd Amy prayerfully as she turned over
the note.
She stared uncomprehendingly at Il
and gave II TO her husband. what
ioes II sayr' she whispered tenseiy.
Howard read and his face iushed.
"CousIn Maria. do you mean to say
hat this note is only for $25--that that
3 all Father Bevis borrowed from
YOUR be demanded hvtly.
Maria nodded dasedly. II guess
hats right" she said sheepishly.
Somehow got TO thinking how many
hings ! could do with that money. Il
rot to seem like whole lot. I-I"-
,he paused helplessly. while Howard
ounted out $50 and pushed II
cross the table. Then he caught up
he note and set lighted match 10 II.
When II crumbled 10 ashes he looked
cross the blacked fragments on the
Cd cloth into Marias scared eyes.
Maria Bevis." he said gravely
you've spoiled the three years OF our
larrisd life. all for that paltry little
nm. IL is paid In full. How are you
DING 70 pay Us back for the agony
Oh have caused usf You have made
$ the laughingstock OF the village :
nd
Don't Howard" said Amy softly. +,
Please don't She Is sorry" .
What would Rippledale say II II :
new how much we really owed your
oward added remorselessly.
Maria's head dropped into her hands.
Fell EN-" she smiled miserably. II
mt blame you one inter
There was silence. Then Howard
'oke abruptly. I'VE won't tell a word,
aria People may think what they u
ease about the amount but IL Is your q
ace 10 inform every one that the note
paid. the debt is cancelled. VIII you "
itr' G
Yes" cried Maria ferventiy. I'm d
y 'em tomorrow at the missionary
eeting. and l don't suppose you'll b
er have much 10 do with me again" c,
Nonsense" said Amy brightly. I'm q
ming over tomorrow morning with