Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-08-23


from me-that her heart is breaking" NUT
tered Mr.. Smith savagely to himself. as he
watched Miss Magge's nervous efforts to
avoid meeting his eyes. 81 vow I'll have
1t out of her. I'll have 1t out-tomorrow
Mr.. Smith did not have It out" with Miss
Maggie the following day, however. Some
thing entirely outside of himself sent his
thoughts into new channel
He was alone in the DUFF living room, and
was idlins over his work, at his table in the
corner, when Mrs. Hattie Bla sdell opened
the door and hurried in wrnging her hands.
Her face was red and swollen from tears
"Where's Maggie? | want Maggie Isn't
Maggie here" she implored
Mr.. Smith sprang to his feet and fastened
"Why. Mrs. Blaisdell. what Is It? No.
she isn't here. I'm so sorry! Can't do
anything
oh. ! don't know don't know" moaned
the woman. 'inging herself into a chair
There cant anybody do anything | s pose
hut I've got TO have somebody. ] can't stay
there in that house, can't can't
can't, :"
NO. no. Of course not. And you shan't."
soothed the man And she'll he here soon,
I'm sure-Mss Maggie will But just let
me help you off with your things" he urged.
somewhat awkwardly trying to unfasten her
heavy wraps. You'll he so warm here
Yes. / know. know" lmpatiently she
jcrkcd off the rich fur coat and tossed it
into his arms; then she dropped into the
chair again and fell IN wringing her hands.
"Oh. what shall | do what shall do?"
But what is it," stammered Mr.. Smith
hepeSsly. cant ! dO--something? Can't
| send for-for your husband"
At the mention Of her husband Mrs.
Blaisdell fell TO weeping afresh.
No, no He's gone--to Fred you know"
"To-Fred"'
Yes. yes that's what's the matter. Oh,
Fred. Fred. my boy
Fred oh. Mrs BIaisdell. I'm 50 sorry.
But whats t."
The woman dropped her hands from her
face and looked up wildly half defiantly.
MIR. Smith. YOU know Fred. You liked
him. didn't YOU? n" isn't bad and wicked,
Is he? And they cant shut him up if--if you
pay it back-all of It that he took? They
won't take my boy-to prison.
TO prison-Fred -
At the look of horror on Mr.. Smiths face
she began TO wiring her hands again
You don't know, of course. I'll have to
tell yOu-ll haV" to-" she moaned
But. my dear wOman-not unless you
want to-"
Il do want to- do want to I've got
to tak-to somebody. It's this way" With
a visible effort she Gained herself a little
and forced herself to talk more coherently.
I'VE got letter from Fred 1t came this
morning. II" wanted some money-qutCk
He wanted seven hundred dollars and forty
TWO cents tie said ne q got to nave lt--if lie
didn't hed go and XIII himself. He said hed
spent all Of his allowance. every cent, and
that's what made him take it-ths other
money-in the first place"
You mean-money that didn't belong to
him. Mr.. Smiths voice was a little stern.
Yes; but you mustn't blame him, you
mustn't blame him, Mr.. Smith. He said
he owed it, 1t was a--debt of honor. Those
were his very words"
on a debt of honor, was it,? Mr.
Smiths lips came together grimly.
Yes; and-Oh, Maggie, Maggie what
shall do? What shall l do" she broke
off wildly. leaping TO her feet as Miss Mag
gle pushed open the door and hurried in.
yes, know. Don't worry. Wen find
something to do" Miss Maggie. white faced.
but with CHEEKY smile. was throwing off
her heavy coat and her hat. A moment later
she came over and took Mrs, Hatties trem-
tell me all about it, dear"
You know, them
"Only little" answered Miss Maggie,
gently pushihG 'he other PACK mo her ' chalr'
thing. just before he left. But | want the
whole story. Now. what is to-
Il was just telling Mr.. smith she began
TO wiring her hands again, but Miss Maggie
caught and, held them firmly. You see Fred.
he was treasurer OF some c'up' VT soc!e'S' vi
money to-to pay a man. and he took that
the money that belonged TO the club, you
know, and he thought he could pay it back,
little by little.
But something happened-I don't know
what-a new treasurer. or something: any
how it was going to be found out--that he'd
taken it. 1t was going TO be found out
tomorrow. and so he wrote the letter to his
father And Jim's gone But he looked So
oh I never saw him look so white and ter
rible. And I'm so afrad-of what he'll do
to Fred My boy-my boy
rs Jim going to give him the money"
asked Miss Maggie.
.yns oh YES Jim drew it out of the
bank Fred said he mus have cash. And
be:s Going 10 give it TO him. Oh they can't
shut him up-they cant send him to prison
now. can they"
..IJush dear, No they won't send him to
nrison, If Jim has gone with the money
E,rsd will nav II back and nobody will know
If Bu, Hattie. Fred did it, just the same
II know it," ,
ANA Hattie don't you see? Something
<>i'N' 49, aora Don't Won see where