The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-09-06

Irene Gage turned briskiy from the
window.
"Of course, Leona. WILL" she said
after swallowing once or twice. III
you stay at home and let mother doc
tor your cold. you will be all right by
Monday"
Just then the gentle little mother
brought in the coffee. and they took
their places at the breakfast table.
Leona was twenty-one, and for year
she had had a small stock OF fancy
work materials for sale In the book
and stationery store Of friend. In
addition to selling these goods, che
did embroidery for others. Her moth
er and sister helped.
Irene was fourteen and q tenth
grade pupil in the high school There
was an especial reason for interest In
the store. In two months the mort.
gage ON their small home was due.
Mr.. Gage had been a partial invalid.
but had now regained his health and
was working at fair salary. He
would be able TO pay the debt all but
one hundred dollars. His wife and
daughters were working hard, hoping
to be able to surprise him by the
needed sum.
So Irene cheerfully gave up her
holiday and listened to Leona's d.
rections.
On reaching her sisters place OF
business. she proceeded to arrange
the small stock Of goods In the most
attractive manner possible. There
were several customers. then she sat
down TO work at the pretty linen pho
topraph frame her sister had COM
mepced to embroider with scarlet car
nations.
she had just finished her midday
lunch when a man entered and called
for q paper OF needles. He threw
down silver dollar. Irene brought
the change. but he handed her back
one OF the quarters
Il don't want that It's no good.
he said harshly.
Irene examined 1t closely 1t was
worn ana sefaced. and the stamp was
different
Are YOU sure II Is not good p she
asked
I'm sure you can't pass 1t OFF on
me I'm in hurry" was his un-
courteous reply.
The girls cheeks flushed. She
brought another quarter of "A dollar
without a word.
don KNOW WHcIC eRt .bos
Il will have to be thrown away" she
thought THE less will eat up the
profits on the sales have made this
morning. Just when We are 10 ARK
ious to earn money. toe 1t MAY be
good, after AL"
she stood a moment irreaofute.
Then she went to the cash drawer pu,
the quarter in. and went back to her
work. 8sssssess 60.
Customers were plentiful That af-
ternoon There was no opportunity Of
disposing OF The quarter. however, Hn-
III the short winter day was drawing
to q close. Mrs. Ven Dorm. wealthy
but eccentric old lady, entered and
asked for ribbon.
Let me see some of your work
that Is finished" she said after s--
iecting yard and quarter OF rib
bon. II want to have some emoroi-
derry done, II can nnd some one who
will do 1t WELL
Irene deity spread before her the
few pieces of work Leona had on
hand. Mrs. Van Dorm scrutiniEed them
closely and asked many questions.
The haunting coin was forgotten until
Mrs. Van Horn said, taking = halt
ieiiar frem her purse to pay for the
ribbon
"I.ll see about the work after !
come back from Detroit next week"
Irene was disappointed. The or
der would have been such 4 help As
she opened the drawer to get Mrs.
Van Dcrn's change. the suspected
quarter caught her eye.
'I'il give It to her she thought.
'sShe is so rich, she will never feel
the loss OF twenty-five centa"
She gave herself no time for
thought Mrs. Van Dorm dropped the
piece Of money 10 her purse without
ITS done Irene said to hernelf.
and I'm SO glad: for"
She stopped abruptly. What had
she aonee An overwhelming sense Of
wrongdoing smote her. Mrs Van
Dorm was closing the door from the
outside when her name waS called.
Come back, please. Mrs. Van
Dorm" Irene said. opening the door.
Your change Ii not right"
There was q bad quarter In the
drawer" she went on a. Mrs. Van
Dorm re-entered the room, and i
gave 1t TO you. will get another"
In silence the lady extracted from
her plethoric pures the coin given her
by Irene When she hxd received am
other In it, place, she spoke
Queer you should make such .
mistake when you knew Il was there"
The gray eyes shot . keen glance at
the girls axstaAed face. Was Il =
mistAkeg"
Irene's scarlet lips tremblsd.
TT wAs not 4 mistake. The coin
was given me-. and tried to make my
self believe Il would not be wrong to
pass 1t on. but
Her voice failed her Mrs Van
Dorm sehoWed no mercy,
what made you call mo back 7"
Because I saw, Ill In . moment,
how wrong Il was Irene said faint
"
Mrs. Van Dorm went away. Irene
bent over the box Of ribbons to hide
her tears. Then customer entexSd.
ana she was Obliged TO rive her ~
tenti0n TO buaneaA
The store closed at six. Irene found
LeonA vas better and resting In the
biz. sleepy hollow chair befors the
paxlor Crate. MIA Cage WAS busy
over tho o'cloclx dinner.
II wAs 90 homslike. Sitting down
On the hearth rus. She told her sister
~ y nrnns.-n~u A1lAsd 9th = tanAAr