The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1914-04-16

\T ::$;a: ;:;'5; ;.;;:s; q: +. :''''' ''''
sit down, Kit
tie, and-make yourself right at home,
won't your" begged her rugged host,
bit flustered.
"I-er-I suppose you're kind Of sur
prised to see me round here-ain't
your" remarked the caller, seating her
SELF
"Yes-kind of. You see, amt seen
you-since-Maggie died."
81 wouldn't be here now, maybe" fal-
tered the woman. "if-if 1t wasn't that
l."
Don't hold back, Kittie," cut in the
man encouragingly. "I-ain't got much
myself, but II II can help you out,
just say the word"
Kittie Driscoll's heart gave bang
ing thump. A choking feeling gripped
her.
Il amt needin' anything, Frank" :"
she said in a firmer voice. "It's 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
i know it's hit you pretty hard,
Frank"
Some ones been kiddin' you," he
said. forcing a smile. Tin all hunky-
dory. even II 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, know" said his caller, feel
Ing his evasiveness, but 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 $500 from the
insurance company. 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 foI
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 1t 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, 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 another
word, but just you take this money
and use it for yourself and the kids
It's needed and needed bad. I'm q
woman, and know"
The mans eyes finally uplifted from
the hole in the oilcloth.
"Kittie," he began, his voice husky
you was always Maggiss best friend
My poor little kid" he gulped, blink
ing painfully she's better off now
Kittie you know 1t amt for myself I'm
worryin' about-but for my two little
girls. And--since you've been so kline
as to want to help me out for little
while, wouldn't be for imposin OF
you, so-if you don't mind--Ill borrow
about ten dollars. Thatll be all I'll bt
needin' for the present I've got {
couple Of dollars of my own left yet
It's the rent money that's botherin
me most; and, although l amt pait
him cent for long time, the land
lords treated me mighty decent"
mo. no, take it all, Frank; it ain
no good to me-" she urged, risini
quickly. "Good-by and good luck t
l you"
"You amt goin' SO soon, are you
Kittie?" cried the man, checking he
at the door. "Why--I-I ain't even ha,
time to have little talk with you
Stay while. won't your"
"Yeth. p'ease stay" unexpected.
chirped tot of four years, who had
unseen, crawled out of her warm bed
"stay-I likes YOU" ay
"How've the children been?" fa
tered the woman through misty eyes
kissing pair of tiny, pouting lips.
Pretty good" returned the fathe
brokenly. There amt no one to Civ
them the right kind of attention, a
though my old. mother does the bes
she can when she can be here. They'r
delicate, Just like Maggie was. The
need mothers care badly. Some on
-" He stopped abruptly. "Kittie," h
went on again in a moment, you an
me and Maggie was always the best G
friends, back in the old days. Tn
kids here-Maggie's own flesh an
blood-ain't got no one to give ther
the right kind of care. They need som
one to be a mother to them"
The woman's eyes met those of tn
man in sudden inquiry, "You-you-
you amt askin-?"
"Yes, Kittie." His voice rang maj
fully, though he brushed mist froI
his eyes. II ask you to promise to b,
, come my wife as soon as | go back t
! work again."
'But, Frank" cried the woman, he
voice trembling with emotion, "yo
don't know anything about me. Yo