The Ontario Argus. (Ontario, Or.) 1???-1947, 1913-10-02
MA RIA'S
MONEY
She Drew Too Much on
Her Imagination
By CLARlssA MAcKIE

NoSc ~ hcf httse btOTe, pite0 tne DOlt8
Of percale and gingham neatly on the
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.
An she sat at the window waiting for
customers she saw girlIsh form hurry
past and enter the grocery store. Ma
ria Bevis smiled souriy.
"Shiftless," she muttered. snatching
irritably at 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
fastl never could believe Cousin
Sans daughter could be so different
from me! Bcvises have always been
thrifty and hardworklng. Somehow
Amy Bevis was different; then she
went and married Howard Lane, and
everybody knows It's starvation busi-
ness running 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 itf' twittered
Ida Ramsell girlishly.
I'm all right. Ida" returned Maria
dryly. "Golng out to sew today?"
"Yes-up to Mrs. Bremer's. Ill
want two yards OF slate colorcd silcsia
and two spools OF black thread No.
90, I guess. Just saw Amy" remarked
Ida.
80 did l."
"Amy looks sick. Maria"
Probably she eats too much pastry.
I hear she lives out Of the bakery"
shifted Marin. squirting nearsightedly
into a box Of thread.
"They are having hard time TO get
along" murmured Ida kindly.
"Humphl Howard better go to
work and do something that will bring
In real money. never dreamed when
I lent that money to Amy's father that
hc would die without a penny. When
! spoke to her about II she and How
ard up and promised to pay every
cent, with interest"
81 heard they said they would pay
compound interest"
Marin 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
I never expect 10 get the rest
II expect It's a good deal for you 10
lose" suggested Ida lnquisitively.
That's a personal matter" returned
Maria stiffiy. Its enough that I lent
It to Cousin Sammy. and he gave mo
the note for II payable on demand.
Amy and Howard have promised TO
pay II. But. land, I've given II up!"
"Folks say you don't speak TO Amy
and Howard now." ventured Ida Ram.
sell as she arose TO 60.
For once folks are right. told 'em
didn't hold to keeping acquaintance
with cheats"
'Maria!" For once Ida's sharp voice |
was warmly sympathetic for young |
Howard Lane and his wife. Amy. |
Swiftly she changed the topic. 'Mr. |
Busby told me to tell you that you
was appointed one OF the delegates to
the convention at Ripple River.
There'll be twenty-five churches repre-
sented. Mrs. Bremcr's another.
suppose you'll goY'
Go nowhere!" cried Maria bitterly.
II can't AFFORD TO. Ida. II Amy would
pay me that money could CO."
"Well. I'm sorry. Goodby." said
Ida hurriedly. and the door tangled
after her. My" she breathed as she
skipped down the street. Maria must
have lent them a lot OF money! When
think Of all the things she's wanted
20 do and couldn't because OF the mon
" tied up In that family loan ! feels
Z she was a martyr"
Ida Ramseil repeated that remark
he next afternoon at the sewing So
'iety. and a buzz OF laughter went
Iround the group OF busy women.
"It must be thousands OF dollars." OBJ
erved Mrs. Bremen quietly. although
never could understand how Maria
lewis could get hold OF very much to
end. I remember. when ] went into
lack for Mr. Bremen. offered to sell
er my new garnet silk. but Maria said
be couldn't AFFORD II just then: she'd
mt every penny 10 Sammy's folks and
hey hadn't paid her back"
TOO bad OF her TO talk so much
bout H." said the minister's wife.
affairs are best kept In the
imily."
That's what I'm -.Says telling
Iaria." chirruped Ida Ramsell. sew
g isrkily. But she will gable about .
Does seems II her milk OF human
Indness was turned to vinegar and
le just rejoiced In gettings slaps at
oward and Amy"
II wonder how the baby is." mur- c
ured Mrs. Busby. the minister's wife.
Better. so Amy said when l ran In
ere yesterday. Seems they had
ouble with the milk from Long's
oward wants 10 buy a COW. but
less ne doesn't dare to until they pay ).