The Mena weekly star., 1917-12-27
THE STACKER
By PAUL J. FAY

I ENN fNh AitN ANAAt- AAANA ID tAAAA oA%hf but mother and are working as hard as we can. And it is so hard to take care of father and work besides"
 The girl, while speaking, covered more and more under the glance of ] the man. Finally she fell on her knees before him and burst into tears.
 Come! :" her tormentor snapped, a sheer distorting his face. This is no | place for dramatics. You've got mon ey to pay your rent, and l know it. If it's not paid by this noon out you go. Get meY
 hearted man naturally. From his father, who died few months before, he had inherited a successful real estate business and square jaw. Chester managed the blocks of tene- ments which he owned with the same heartless, businesslike manner with which his father before him had man. aged them.
 On the day after his argument with the girl about the rent another girl entered his office. She walked haugh- tily up to his desk and glanced at him with an imperlous, not timorous, light flashing in her eyes. From her card he saw that she was Eleanor Malette, ] the daughter of prominent state of 1 ficial. Chester arose and courteously offered her chair.
 "No, thank you. came on business, not pleasure. I came to ask you how large q subscription you will make to the Liberty loan"
 An angry gleam came into the mans eyes. Another charity seeker" he thought q am very sorry" he an- swered. But I do not think l will be able to donate anything
 'AYhatY The girl looked puzzled. Donate? But this is not q donation. 1 It's an investment, the safest one you | can make. You get three and one-half per cent interest and no taxes. You'll be helping Uncle Sam win democracy l for the world. The whole world will be your debtor"
 q said did not want any, and that is all there is to it. Good day" His voice was a little too sharp.
 Slowly the red stained Eleanor's face more and more deeply. The color dropped from her face like curtain.
 ''You-you slacker," she said an grily.
 'Leave this office at once" he com manded.
 "Oh, yes; because I tell you your 1 duty you order me to leave. I'll leave when I get ready" Defiance sprane from every muscle of her rigid body She pointed an accusing finger at him 'Yes, you're a stacker and coward You're tearing your money out of th' very souls of the people and then yo' refuse to give up cent to your gov ernment. I despise you, you stacker.
 Eleanor stared at him n moment then turned and went out.
 Chester ran to the door and slamme 1t shut. He paced the floor rapidi until his rage cooled from a white [ a red heat.
 That night he slept not a wink. Tn next morning he did not go to his ol flee, but remained at home. There n fought with his biggest enemy-him self. All day long he struggled, whii' the sweat poured from his brow II streams. Another night passed II wakefulness and restless tossing A' dawn Chester was completely exhaust ed The struggle was nearly endeu'
 After breakfast, as Chester sat ID the library, thought suddenly came to him.
 By George! I'll do it" he cried and, throwing on his hat ne hterans ran down the street
 Two days lafr Eleanor's maid 'n' formed her tbata visitor wished to see her. but would not give his name. She hurried dovn into the reception room Here she hund a man in the uniform of inc tafted States marines. As he turned teward her she gasped.
 .Cbester-I mean Mir. Randolph, are you s--
 ,fes, am." He spoke in low, ap- 2 ,aiing tone. q finally plucked up eerve enough to join. 1 came to ask : you to take my subscription of one f million dollars to the Liberty loan. And I'd like to have you watch over my people in the tenements, to see that they come to no need while I'm gone. Will you say goodby to mel"
 She came closer.
 "Yes, Chester. And I'd like to have your voice tell me what your eyes dc before you leave me. l could manage your affairs better if-if--" She looked down.
 He seized her and drew her to him almost fiercely.
 ''I do love you" he breathed. "Wil you wait for me, Eleanor? How car you love a--a slaekerT
 "I loved you the first time I sav you" she whispered. ''I thought thu method l used would be the best wa. to save you to yourself, to your coun try and-to me"
 And tine uniform of the UIite' States marines was not desecrated b. the happy tears that were shed on it bosom.
 Copyright, 1917, by the Mcclure Newspa
 per Syndicate)