Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1914-05-14

" WlU F'ra,ik." said the
NJ woman, softly
VA closing the door
behind her.
"Sit down. Kit.
tie. and-make yourself right at home.
won't your" begged her rugged host. q
bit nustered.
r-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. ain't seen
you-since-Maggie died"
Il wouldn't be here now, maybe" fal-
tered the woman, "if-if Il wasn't that
L"
Don't hold back, KitSie." cut In the
man encouragingly. "I-ain't got much
myself. but IL IL can help you out.
just say the word"
Kittie Driscoll's heart gave q bang
Ing thump. A choking feeling gripped
her.
Il amt neeAin' anything. Frank"
she said In firmer voice "Its some
thin else 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 n mighty tough winter. and
Il know it's hit you pretty hard.
Frank"
Some ones been kiddin' you," he
said. forcing q smile. - I'm all hunky-
dory. even II amt been workin' for
some time. You see. had n 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 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 evasiveHess. bat came here
today to square myself Cor dirty turn
] once done you"
The woman cast 9 lock into the next
room where Mag5ids anemic children
lay In bed asleep.
Then she said impulsiveiy. 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. IL hurts me to
say II, but I know how things stand
with you, and that you're hard4ip for
fair. So I've come tO lend yuG the
two hundred until things pick up"
She showed n package OF greenbacks
quickly across the table. You can
pay It back when you're workin'
again."
Kit" choked the man, his eyes
blinking, II hardly know how to thank
you. But I'm all right ! amt needin'
| anything"
Frank Porter" Bhs 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 IL for yourself and the kids.
It's needed and needed bad. I'm q
woman. and I know"
"Kittie." no began. lis voice husky.
you was always MagRie's best friend.
My poor little Md" he guiped, blink
ing painfully. she's better OF now.
kittie you know II amt for myself I'm
worryin' about-but for my two little
girls. And-since you've been 30 kind
as to want TO help me out for q little
while. ] wouldn't be for imposin' on
you. so-if you don't mind-I1i borrow
about ten dollars"
mo. no. take II all. Frank: II amt
u nm AA - IA.
quickly. "0ood.by and good luck 70
you"
You amt goln' 80 soon, are you.
Kittie7" cried the man. checking her
et the door. "Why-I--I amt even had
time TO have a little talk with you.
Stay O while. won't your"
"Yeth, p'ease stay" Unexpectedly
chirped q tot Of four years. who had,
unseen, crawied out OF her warm bed.
"Stay-I likes you"
HOWE the children beenr" fall
tered the woman through misty eyes,
kissing o pair Of tiny. pouting lips.
Pretty good" returned the father
broksnly. There amt no one 10 give
them the right kind Of attention. al
1 s1oobh my Oiu mOtutp uDeb IIlS UsbS
she can when she can be here. They'rs
delicate. just like Maggie was. They
need mothers care badly. Some one
-" He stopped abruptly. "Kittie," he
went on again In q 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-aint got no one TO give them
the right kind Of care. They need some
one 70 be q mother TO them"
The woman's eyes met those Of the
man In sudden inquiry. "You-you-
you amt askin'-r'
yes, Kittie." His voice rang man.
fully. though he brushed a mist from
his eyes. Il ask you 20 promise 10 be-
come my wife al soon az go back TO
work again"
she said ye6h TO herself. papa!"
cried out the child. jumping gleefully,
her face radiant with Joy.
| .rs