The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-06-25
The Euening Story
Mirella's Bargain.
(By Clarissa Mackie.

Mirella's Bargain.
(By Clarissa Mackie.)
"Mirella," shrilled Aunt Keziah,
and get some tea. declare, didn't
know we were SO nearly out
Mirella Elwood put aside her sew
ing, and, taking her hat. went out into
the early June evening. I'll stop in
Miss DORIS and look at a hat she
called back over her shoulder.
"Pick out something that will last
you two years-you know you've been
warned Aunt Keziah from thu front
porch.
Mirella smiled with pleasurabIe an
ticipation as she went down the quiet
village street. 1t had been n long
time since she had had a new sum-
mer hat.
BY dint of many economies and the
earnings of extra money through the
eye of her clever needle she had saved
enough to buy a few simple summer
dresses and a new hat She was think
ing of the hat as she went down the
street. 1t was to be an ecru Tuscan
trimmed with red roses. Her best
gown of ecru wolfe would look lovely
with that ch-dreamed-abOut hat.
Mirella was very happy as she
turned into Bascoms big grocery
store, where more than one person
nodded a greeting and then paused to
Mirella grew prettier every day, they
thought; she had clear. white skin
with soft, rose colortng, lustrous hazel
eyes, long curling black lashes, and
quantities of waving black hair.
At the back of the store Mirella
found William Bascom in CONVERSE
ton with shabby youth
mo. MOI" Mr.. Bascom was saying
harshly. II can't do it. There don't
nobody in Fernville take no stock in
fiddles. I wouldn't lend you ten cents
on it, but I will give you out and
out"
I'm not asking for charity!'' re-
torted the youth holly. I've told you
that 1 merely want to borrow enough
money on it to get home to New York.
AS soon as 1 get there 1 will send it to
you and you can send the violin by ex-
press and"
ct can't do it, said Bascom de-
cisively. I've heard these ha-rdluck
stories before, young man! won't
give you any money, but L wouldn't
turn any one away hungry
mo, thank you'll" declined the
youth fiercely, and, jamming his soft
felt hat down on his fair hair. he
picked up bundle wrapped in green
baize and marched out of the store,
followed by many curious giances.
well, Mirelly, what can I do for
you?' asked Mr.. Bascom in his most
genial tone.
Mirella made known her want and
LETT the ODSoQu1OuS bdSCOnQ WpnOST-
ing at her haste to leave the store.
Far down the road moved the hur-
rying figure of the young man who
had been trying to borrow money on
his violin.
Across the street were Miss DORIS
millinery parlOrs. Behind those Not
tingham lace curtains were the straw
hats and the red roses that she COW
eted.
Mirella banished all thought of the
fnl1o for
the youth and the violin. Before she
was up with him, he turned aside
from the roadway and flung himself
on the ground. his face hidden by his
arms. Mirella saw that his clothes
were dusty and worn, his shoes in
sorry condition and that the hat which
he had tossed aside showed hard
wear.
Coming up, she coughed gently to
attract his attention.
With a slight exclamation the boy
he was scarcely seventeen-jumpedu up
and stared at her OUT of wet blue eyes.
Il beg your pardon" he SIAM
mered. I'm afraid 1 am obstructing
But she stood still and looked at
him gravely.
II followed you." she said. quietly.
He flushed hotly. You followed
me? ?" he repeated
IT happened to be in the store when
you were trying to sell your violin,
and I've always wanted to play the
violin-and 1 came to see if you
wouldn't sell it to me-
An eager look came into his face.
DO you really mean it ?" he gasped.
'It would mean a lot to me if could
sell it for five dollars. The money
would take me back to New York.
and once uhere-my father He
choked and turned away his head.
Mirella was opening her little green |
purse. From it she extracted a five
dollar bill-it represented the new
summer hat-and handed it to him.
"ThereI' she smiled cheerfully |
You have got what you want and
when you give me The violin, why, I |
shall have what I have always de-
sired"
1T cost two hundred dollars" said |
the boy, as he laid it in her hands. |
IF / were anywhere except in this |
benighted country region 1 might |
pawn it for fifty dollars. But your |
discouraged. down and out I was |
ready to step out of life. But every |
thing is changed now. 1 can go home |
and even if 1 confess I have failed |
it will be something to see the home |
faces again. He choked suddenly |
said gruff1y. do you mind telling |
me your manner"
'.Mirella Elwood," said Mirella, her
own eyes bright with tears.
stMirellai That's pretty name and
easy to remember-but it would be
hard to forget you. anyway" he said
with boyish admiration in his voice.
"Good-by, Mirella! You're a brfckt'
and shook mis- hand warmly. Good
by--and good luck.'.
When he had disappeared Mirella
tucked the green bundle under her |