The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1914-11-26

sit down, Kit
tie and-make yourself right at home,
won't you?" begged her rugged host, a
bit lustered.
"I-er-I suppose you're kind Of sur
prised to see me round here-aint
you?" remarked the caller, seating her
self.
"Yes-kind of. You see. amt seen
you-since-Maggie died"
Il wouldn't be here now, maybe" fall
tered the woman, "if-if it wasn't that
L"
Don't hold back, Kittie," cut in the
man encouragingly. liant got much
myself, but if II can help you out,
Just say the word
Kittie Driscoll's heart gave a bang
ing thump. A choking feeling gripped
her
Il amt needin' anything, Frank" ;"
she said in a firmer voice. Its some
thin else l wanted to speak to you
about. It's concerning the trouble
that's been on down to the shop,
THROWN you and the rest Of the boys
out of work, for the last three months.
It's been a mighty tough winter, and
II know it's hit you pretty hard,
Frank"
Some ones been kiddin' you," he
said, forcing smile. lin all hunky-
dory, even If l amt been workin' for
some time. You see, had nice lit
tie piece of money banked away when
the row came. But, anyway, it's mighty
nice of you to drop in and pay an old
friend a social call when things amt
what they ought to be. That's the
only time when you can find out who's
your real friends"
Yes, l know" said his caller, feel
ing his evasiveness, "but l came here
today to square myself for dirty turn
/ once done you"
The woman cast look into the next
room where Maggie's anemic children
lay in bed asleep.
Then she said impulsively, firmly:
"When Jack died got 5000 from the
insurance comI my. Frank, there's no
use you tryin' to bluff me. We're old
time friends and can talk right out
open and above board. 1t hurts me to
say it, but l know how things stand
with you, and that you're hard-up for
fair. So I've come to lend you the
two hundred until things pick up"
She showed package Of greenbacks
quickly across the table. you can
pay it back when you're workin'
again"
"Kit," choked the man, his eyes
blinking, Il hardly know how to thank
you. But I'm all right, l amt needin'
anything"
Frank Porter" she returned, her
voice ringing sweetly, you and me
was always good friends, back in the
old days. So don't you say anctheS
word, but just you take this money
and use il for yourself and the kids.
It's needed and needed bad. I'm a
woman, and ! know"
you was always Maggie's best friend.
My poor little kid" he gulped, blink
ing painfully, she's better off now.
Kittie you know it amt for myself I'm
worryin' about-but for my two little
girls. And-since you've been so kind
as to want to help me out for little
while, l wouldn't be for imposin' on
you, so-if you don't Mindful borrow
about ten dollars"
''No, no, take it all, Frank; it amt
no good to me-" she urged, rising
quickly. "Good-by and good luck to
you" .-.
You amt goin' SO soon, are you,
Kittie?" cried the man, checking her
at the door. "Why-I-I amt even had
time to have a little talk with you.
Stay while, won't you?"
"Yeth. p'e2se stay" UnexpectedlE
chirped a tot Of four years, Who had,
unseen, crawled out of her warm bed.
STAY likes YOU"
How're the children been?" fal-
tered the woman through misty eyes,
kissing a pair Of tiny, pouting lips.
Pretty good" returned the father
brokenly. There amt no one to give
them the right kind of attention, al
though. my old mother does the best
she can when she can he here. They're
delicate, just like Maggie was. They
need a mothers care badly. Some one
-" He stopped abruptly. "Kittie," he
went on again in moment, you and
me and Maggie was always the best Of
friends, back in the old days. The
kids here-Maggie's own flesh and
blood-ain't got no one to give them
the right kind Of care. They need some
one 10 be a mother to them"
The woman's eyes met those of the
man in sudden inquiry. "You-you-
you amt askin'-?"
"Yes, Kittie." His voice rang man
fully, though he brushed a mist from
his eyes. 81 ask you to promise to be-
come my wife as soon as go back to
work aga'n"
"She said yeth to herself, papa!"
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