Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1917-06-30
FOUND WANTING
BY SUSAN sHERRILL.

Lower Lawton was typical of those
small, rich stagnant towns where no.
body has business enough Of his own
to prevent a lively interest in the aft
fairs Of other people.
| Gossip has lightnings quality Of
striking high, likewise llghtning's
knack of being carried away harmless
by a proper conductor. The Beiling-
hams had been such a conductor time
out of mind. The richest family, affa-
bly, kind to high and low, there resi-
dent for three generations and given
to developing surprises Of every sort.
Since 1t was now away for goodness
knew how long Lower Lawton must
talk OF something else. What so worth
Its while as the affairs OF Kathleen
Wearef For instance--was she really
hrst cause Of the Beliingham hegiraf
They had seemed to be more than fond
q her-especiaily old John, the bach
eior.
Next It was the girls business ven
ture that Lower Lawton talked about.
She was actually a market mIddlewom-
an. Her way was the simplest way
possible. They were to give her or
ders by the month for average require
ments. They were to give no money.
but a strict guaranty of payment at
the month-end, balanced In a guaranty
OF satisfactory wares. That seemed
safe enough-besldes, they could fall
back on the cans. Still, the first batch
OF orders we're so nearly niggard that
Kathleen shook her fist at the book OF
them as she totaled up their amount.
1t would have been even harder with
the'farmers, If they had not known her
SO well, through kindness rendered In
sickness or trouble.
! When she said frankly: 81 can't af-
ford Tom and Jerry any longer unless
can make them earn their keep-and
mine" she got sympathetic hearing.
The pair were her pets, the last and
best of a long succession.
Since she would not make the provi-
dent marriage. she must do something
else. Hence the undertaking that set
Lower Lawton all agog. She herself
was doubtful over it--she paid cash,
Increasing potential profits, also in
creasing long chances OF loss. But be-
fore midsummer the work had out
grown her and she saw she must cut
her route In three and serve it with as
many wagons.
That was safe enough requirement
II she could have likewise three
selves. That being impossible, she
trembled at the risk. The untarnIshed
Weare credit made buying easy--but
how keep 1t so when those dear de-
pendents, In the Joy Of profits they had
declared impossible. began to put forth
hundred small wants hitherto de-
MED?
Indeed, they knew darkIy. that there
was money In bank TO her credit. deli
cately put there by Old John before he |
went.
Kathleen had promised herself not |
10 touch It, no matter what her ex- |
tremity.s She could not take his mon
ey, making him no return. Now her
resolution wavered. While she debated
and reasoned with herself her good
angel, sas she fancied, brought the law
yer on the seene-C Charley Brayton,
vivid. handsome. ardent, eloquent, In
all things the exact antithesls Of Old
John.
1t was rather a shock to find her
working, and working In fashion SO
He SHE'D violently when she
first asked him to go with her upon her
rounds but pulled himself together and
accepted. Then, after she had talked
TO him of prospects and pOtentlallties,
he grew not merely reconciled but en-
thuslastic. He saw great opening
only capital was needed. Why not or
ganize and sell stock to get 1t, keeping, 1
OF course, stock control for herself? Z
When Kathleen shook her head, saying
with a beautiful blush, ga friend-i
has lent the:' money l need-ln adj
vance" he grew. even eager, crying
quickly: use It? OF course you I
Sill! You must, In fact. Who is the r
Good Samaritan
When he heard he laughed knowing
y, whistied. then said, nodding: s.I
'ee. STRIKES me. Kath. the gentleman
. equal to an endowment. Spend his
money for him. dearest he VIII
'rovide.i Thus you viii pleaseftwo ex-
client men. And never hurt. their u
eatngs By talk OF repayment" La
Il know you are talking to hear your o
elf" Kathleen answered, III I did !
lot" She stopped, her lips trem-
ling Brayton looked at her amazed.
IF you did not-what1" he demand
ID. "Of course I know old John is
Iafry about you. but don't you gee the =
ompliment to him. in being willing :
ou should take from himT =
Il do not" Kathleen said. "Per- :.
APPS Il Is hidden by-sthe dishonesty. !,
AXE this, pleased" She slipped on his !,
Ing, and setting Tom and Jerry trot- =,
Ing hard toward the station threa