Grainger County news. (Rutledge, Tenn.) 1917-current, 1917-05-24
FOUND WANTING
BY SUSAN sHERRlLL.

AhhSh VI btAhb NAltiSu away haiihiNSS
by proper conductor. The Belling-
hams had been such u 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
Weare? For instance-was she really
first cause of the Bellingham hegira2
They had seemed to be more than fond
Of her-especially old John, the bach
elor.
Next It was the girls business ven
tuFe 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.
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: II 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
Icreasing 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 a safe enough requirement
If she could have likewise three
selves. That being impossible, she
trembIed Mt 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 beforeshe
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.
1t was rather shock to find her
working and working in fashion Sc
unusual. 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 potentialities
: he grew not merely reeonciled but en-
thusiastic. He saw great opening
only capital was needed. Why not or
ganize and sell stock to get it, keeping
of course, stock control for herself
When Kathleen shook her head, saying
. with beautiful blush, "A friend
has lent the money / need-in ad
vance," he grew even eager, cryin,
quickly: "Use it2 OF course yol
will You must, in fact Who is thu
3 Good Samaritan"
| When he heard he laughed knowing
: ly, whistled, then said, nodding: /"
a see. Strikes me, Kath, the gentleman
: is equal to an endowment. Spend hi
5 money for him, dearest-all he vii
f provide. Thus you will please two ex
s cellent men. And never hurt thei
feelings by talk of repayment
+ II know you are talking to hear your
q SELF" Kathleen answered. IF l di
|. not" She stopped, her lips tren
!, bling. Brayton looked at her amazed
e IF you did Dot--what?" he demand
j, ed. "Of course / know old John
q daffy about you, but don't you see tn
4 compliment to him, in being willin
t you should take from him?''
g 81 do mott" Kathleen said. "Pel
y haps it is hidden blythe dishonest!
IS Take this, pleased" She slipped off hi
n ring, and setting Tom and Jerry tro
Il ting hard toward the station thre
n miles away II shall send your bag,
E. she added, her head high.
It Brayton stared, gasping. "What hay
v ~ done?" he demanded. Kathlee
Iturned upon him face set and whit
d s."It is not what you have done, 81
o what you are" she said. "A man vii
1. ing TO trade on--another mans affe,
h ton for-his betrothed wife,
70 Kathleen is single still. So long Q
+ that is true old John Bellingham wi
r keep lively hope,
% Copyright, 1917, by the Mcclure Newsp'
per Syndicate)
s The Only Doubtful Citizen.
e, Everybody is. telling exactly WIFI
O. 49,, win do II vou are elected to O