The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1918-07-04
A Loyal
Helper
copyright. 1918. western Newspaper Union
By JESSIE ETHEL sHERWIN

"NOw, don't get hySterlcal, Edna!
ooh, 1t is all m fault"
In a wild paroxysm of emotion Edna
Lyall, the bride of a year, wept upon
the shoulder of her father. He looked
plying and serious, but did not speak
until she had fully sobbed out her grlet
and self ~reproaches. Then he said:
"You must be sensible and do moth
ing to discourage Harry, or let him
suspect what 1 have told you. He
continues to hold his position at. the
plant, so the trouble must have been
adjusted. l fear that cousin OF his,
Alec Thorpe, who has left town, may
have led Harry to gamble or specu-
late. At all events, Harry has become
involved. He came to me to borrow
two hundred dollars. 1t was after ne
left that 1 found a scrap of paper with
some notations on 1t. l was pretty wei
startled, for it indicated that he owed
the firm nearly two thousand dollars"
"Oh, father" gasped Edna.
st would not humiliate Harry, nor
NEEDLE in his affairs by letting him
know what I suspect" went on Mr..
Worth.
"But what can 1t all mean, fatherY'
questioned Edna a~nxiously. "You don't
believe he has been d~ishOnest?"
81 think that he has overdrawn his
limit and is paying for his extrava-
gance," responded Mr.. Worth. Il think,
too, knowing the of man Har-
nv is, that he will benefit from the
lesson taught. l shall keep my eyes on
him and make him tell me the real
condition Of affairs If l see him get
ting too worried"
1t was the first break for Nellie in a
hitherto calm and happy life. 1T is
all my fault" she constantly told her.
self. Then, like the sensible little wom-
an that she was, she sat down all by
herself and meditated over every
phase of the complex situation.
I've let Harry take an expensive
fiat, and buy an automobile, and cater
to all my expensive whims as though
he were made of money" she censured
herself. "POor, dear fellow; he has
never tried to restrict me, because he
loves me so. From what father says,
Harry has got into debt over two thou
sand dollars. What can l do to help
him out Of it?"
To her artless method of reasoning
Harry had simply oyerdrawn until he
owed the firm a large amount. he
held a good position, he was "a valu-
able man in his place, and OF course
it was ridiculous to suppose that he
had been in any way criminally culpa-
BILE, or the firm would not have kept
him In it's employ.
Never had Edna been more loving
and gentle than during the days sue
ceeding to these disclosures. There
had been an unusual gravity about
Harry, seeming to be thoughtfulness
more than worry. Even this grave
ness. however, was banished under the
influence Of Edna's winning ways.
Dear, / have something d%readfully
important to tell you," she announced
one evening. II have been reckoning
ND and I find that l have got to turn
over q new leaf"
I'm what way, little woman?' ques-
toned Harry.
"I've been living too ex~travagantly
and we must economic. No, no, dear,
do not tell me 1 have nothing to do
but enjoy myself and you will do the
providing. Why we are saving moth
ing and where are our cherished plans
for a home? Father told me only yes
terday that just as soon as we can
build a house he will gladly donate
the lot next to him."
"We shall reach it in time," prophe-
sled Harry cheerily.
"And l want to help. Now, there is
the automobile. Winter is coming on
and we use it so little even in sum-
mer. Another thing, / want to help
every way / can. Just think! at the
end of the year / may be able to hand
you quite q sum of money. How that
may help you out! for l believe you
have overtaxed yourself In catering to
all my foolish whims."
Harry asserted ~strenuously that he
had but one motive In life, to give her
everything she wished for, but the re-
lieved glow that came to his eyes told
that she had hit the mark and that ne
would be grateful for her co-opera-
ton.
There was a new surprise for him,
when a week later Edna advised him
that she had rented two rooms In he
fiat they did not need to q couple OF
lady school teachers at a remarkably
liberal price. 1t was truly wonderful
what the sale of the automobile, and
the rent money, and Nellie's saving on
household expenses amounted to in a
year. At it's end she came to him one
evening, flushed and exultant, and
placed a wallet in his hand.
Harry" she said, "there is nearly
$500 In this. and you are to take it
and help pay your debts, and I'm SO
glad to think I can give It."
"Debts?" repeated Harry. why,
Edna, dear. 1 have none"
sBut what y0u borrowed OF papa,
and the $1,000 Of the firm?"
"Oh! 80 you know of that, do your
cried Harry. "You dear, sweet, loyal
little wife! the 5000 was paid months
q and the $1,000 / never owed. l
guaranteed its payment. 1t worried me
For a time hut Alec Thorpe had Over