The Kenna record. (Kenna, Roosevelt County, N.M.) 190?-1924, 1914-07-24

you? remarked tho caller, seattng her
sclf.
",Yos-klnd OF. You see, amt seen
Maggie died"
81 wouldn't be here row, maybe" fall
tered the woman, "if--lf it wasn't that
l."
Don't hold back, Iiittie," cut in the
man encouraginely. 'I-ain't got much
myself, but If IL can help you out,
just say the word" q
Kittie Driscolls heart gave q bang.
Ing thump. A choking feeling gripped
her.
Il amt needin' anything, Frank"
she said in 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,
throwin' 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 a smile. Tin all hunky-
dory, even if amt been workin for
some time. You see, | had a nice lit
tie piece~of money banked away when
the row came. But, anyway, it's mighty
nice CT 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 ovasiveness, 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 l got 5000 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 | 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 a package of greenbacks
quickly across the table. You can
pay 1t back when you're workin'
again"
Exit" cholscd 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 do&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 a
woman. and know"
"Kittie," he began, his voice husky,
"you was always Maggie's best friend.
My poor little kid" he gul6ed. blink
Ing painfully, She's better off now.
Iittie you know it amt for myself I'm
worryin' about-but Tor my two little
GIRLS. And-since you've been SO kind
as 10 want to help me out for little
while, l wouldn't be for imposin' on
you, so<7if you don't mind-I'll borrow
about ten dollars"
"No, no, take it all, Frank; 1t 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 a while, won't your"
"Yeth. p'ease stay" Unexpectedly
chlrpod a tot of four years. who had,
unseen, crawled out Of her warm bed.
STAY likes you"
"Eowve the children been?" fall
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 tho right kind of attention, al
though my old mother does the best
che can when she can be here. They're
delicate, Just like Maggie was. They
need a mothers care badly. Some one
-" lie stopped abruptly. 'Kittie," he
vert on again in a 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 to be mother to them"
The woman's eyes met those of the
man in oudden inquiry. "You-you-
you amt askin'-?"
"Yes, Kittie" His voice rlng man
III. h,