Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1917-11-14
FOUND WANTING
BY SUSAN sHERRlLL.

small, rlcn StagnanC tOWnS Wnere no.
body has business enough Of his own
to prevent lively interest in the at
fairs of other people.
Gossip has lightning's quality of
striking high, likewise lightning's
knack of being carried away harmless
by a proper conductor. The Belling-
hams had been such 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 it 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
Weare? For instance-was she really
first cause Of the Bellingham hegira?
They had seemed to be more than fond
Of her-especially old John, the bach
elor.
Next it was the girls business VEN
ture that Lower Lawton talked about.
She was actually 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 strict guaranty of payment at
the month-end, balanced in guaranty
Of satisfactory wares. That seemed
safe enough-besides, they could fall
back on the cans. Still, the first batch
of orders were so nearly niggard that
Kathleen shook her fist at the book Of
them as she totaled up their amount.
It 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: II can't af-
ford Tom and Jerry any longer unless
can make them earn their keep-and
NINE" 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 cut
grown her and she saw she must cut
her route in three and serve it with as
many wagons.
That was a safe enough requirement
If she could have likewise three
selves. That being impossible, she
trembled at the risk. The untarnished
Weare credit made buying easy-but
how keep it so when those dear de-
pendents, in the joy of profits they had
declared impossible, began to put forth
a hundred small wants hitherto de-
MED?
Indeed, they knew darkly, that there
was money in bank to her credit, deli
cately put there by Old John before he
went.
Kathleen had promised herself not
to touch it, no matter what her ex-
tremity. 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, as she fancied, brought the law
yer on the scene-Charley Brayton,
vivid, handsome, ardent, eloquent, in
all things the exact antithesis of Old
John.
It was rather a shock to find her
working, and working in fashion SO
unusual. He SHE'D violently when she
first asked him to 60 with her upon her
rounds but pulled himself together and
accepted. Then, after she had talked
to him Of prospects and potentialities,
he grew not mers]y reconciled but en-
thusiastic. He saw a great opening
only capital was needed. Why not Or
ganize and sell stock to get 1t, keeping,
Of course, stock control for herself?
When Kathleen shook her head, saying
with beautiful blush, ga friend
has lent the money I need-in adj
vance," he grew even eager, crying
quickly: "Use it? OF course you
will! You must, in fact. Who is the
Good Samaritan"
When he heard he laughed knowing
~, whistled, then said, nodding: II
see. Strikes me, Kath, the gentleman
is equal to an endowment. Spend his
money for him, dearest-all he will
provide. Thus you will please two ex-
cellent men. And never hurt their
feelings by talk Of repayment"
II know you are talking to hear your
SELF" Kathleen answered. IF I did
not" She stopped, her lips trem-
bling. Brayton looked at her amazed.
IF you did not-what?" he demand
ed. "Of course I know old John is
daffy about you, but don't you see the
compliment to him, in being willing
you should take from him?"
II do not! % Kathleen said. "Per-
haps it is hidden blythe dishonesty.
Take this, pleased" She slipped off his
ring, and setting Tom and Jerry trot-
ting hard toward the station three
miles away. II shall send your bag"
she added, her head high.
Brayton stared, gasping. "What have
I done" he demanded. Kathleen
turned upon him face set and white.
1T is not what you have done, but
what you are" she said. "a man will
ing to trade on-another mans affec-
ton for-his betrothed wife"
Kathleen is single still. So long as
that is true old John Bellingham will
keep lively hope.
Copyright, 1917, by the Mcclure Newspa-
per Syndicate.)