Evening star., 1914-07-24
MRS. JONLEY PRESSED TWO
LOAVES UPON HER.

some time for all rddone for him.. Mr..
wrath that he saw sparkling in Mrs.
Jonley's black eyes. He was tired and
desired quiet evening.
was withering. "Yes. that's Mrs. Mer-
rows cry. Some day, you dear Mrs.
Jonley." mimicking. "iil make you glad
you know us. And meanwhile I've sup
piled her with fresh eggs when We had
to go without ourselves to make up
And right now I quit
Mrs. Jonley stiffened and was silent
Mr.. Jonley looked around apprehensively.
There was a sound of running steps on
the side porch. light familiar tap. Come
in," sighed Mrs. Jonley.
"Oh, Mrs. Jonley. Good evening. Mr..
Jonley. Can you let me have some bak-
ing powder? I want to surprise Mr.. Mer-
Ethel has been tramping around town
all afternoon and is SO tired l hate to
ask the child to run down to the store
And our telephone is out of order; And
how did you like that fruit cake?'
Mr.. Jonley had waited in dismay. He
wished that he was far away. A row
is a row, and when you are tired
But the light of conflict faded from his
wife's eyes. She looked obviously at
the pretty. smiling. little woman who
Mrs. Merrows," she said helplessly. and
went out to the pantry to get heaplng
measure of baking powder.
Afterward she explained to her husband
that it was impossible to refuse trif1fng
loan to a woman who has just sent you
an expensive cake Jonley nodded, though
That was Merrows' way: That blend OF
friendliness and good will and Christian
feeling! You simply couldn't refuse him
And it went on. The Merrows borrowed
and borrowd Sometimes they paid back
royalty; more often they did not. But
they were amiable and had that winning
way.
Life became spoiled for the Jonleys
Mrs. Jonley finally refused to lend Mrs
Merrows a loaf of bread. She said she
hadn't any. Ten minutes later Ethel,
pretty girl. ran in to show Mrs Joniey
new photograph of herself-and in
cidentally to give it to Mrs. Joniey-and
saw three pans of fresh baked loaves sit
ting on the side table to cool. She looked
at Mrs. Jonley queerly. Mrs. Jonley got
red and felt uncomfortable and pressed
Il felt so stingy." she later moaned
to her husband. But don't care. !
won't do it again. She came In not
postage stamp. 1t was the only one l
had, and then I had to get ready and
go to the drug store before couid
mail that letter to mother.
Jonley remarked idly that Merrows
hadn't been around him lately To tell
the truth, Jonley was distracted. The
hard times were pressing MIN TO tne
wall Mrs J1n1ey he esrnlng sad KEEN it no
longer, forgot to be worried by small
things, like lending. A big worry alb
serbs smaller ones. But big worry
makes for increase of nerves and
bands perturbed face for several days
and then began to take her own fret
ting out in what ats other times she
herself would have called plain bad
II was while she was in this state
that Mrs. Merrows came over after an
absence Of several days. She wanted
gown. really stunning affair Of
mauve velvet and chiffon. Mrs. jon
ley's mouth set grimly. She didn't often
wear that dress. 1t was too good.
to ask" Mrs. Merrows continued plain
lively. And 1 wouldn't if" She bit
her lip. Her cheek reddened. But
Mr.. Merrows is in a tight place. and
to think he is prosperous; hate to
ask, but I haven't been able to afford
a new thing this winter"
Mrs. Jonley opened her mouth to re-
fuse-and without circumlocution.
..Some day" continued Mrs Merrows
forlornly, ''rll pay you back-and so
will Mr.. Merrows for all your kind
nesses."
"That one f1ounce needs pressing" she
said, "Oh. you're quite welcome. 1t
isn't likely" thinking grimly Of JON
ley's expressed fear at the breakfast
ia BILE, that I'll need it,
Mrs. Merrows gushed her thanks and
ran out Mrs. Jonley told herself that
she was a fool. Next time she'd refuse.
Ten days went on. Mr.. Jonley grew
more worried. Mrs. Merrows sent word
that she had spilled wine on the dress
AS soon as 1t was cleaned she'd return
it. Mrs. Jonley shifted and then raved,
but she was glad Of the incident to
OH
general.