Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1920-08-18
r. His
Last Dollar
BY EVELYN LEE

II Twenty dollars" spoke Sigmund
Levi. pawnbroker.
II will take It," answered Roslyn
Dare, and placed his watch and chain
upon the counter.
He had seen better days. They
we're dark ones now, indeed. Looking
back a single year, when he had come
to the city with a comfortable patri-
mony, he had invested it gradually in
an automobile accessory which on the
surface seemed capable of earning q
fortune. In theory and as a model 1t
demonstrated to, perfection. Practi-
cally used it would not stand the test.
"I've beggared you, but I've been
4 honest with you," said John Moore,
sorrowfully. 1.-The man I bought the
device from was honest, too. There is
only one hope-to go east and report
to him the obstacle that stands in the
way Of our selling half interest for
enough to keep us for life. Don't
quite hate me for bringing you to
this"
"Not at ALL" declared Dare. I'VE
all make mistakes. I'm young, not
afraid of work and shan't allow my
self to starve."
He slowed safely away the $50
now, and stood for moment calculat-
ing where he would go to get cheap
room and board. The door of the
pawnshop opened as he was about to
leave and young girl carrying long
pasteboard box entered. She was drip
ping with the outside rain, her ap-
parel was poor and threadbare, the
wind had thrown her hair into dis
order. her face was pale and anxious
looking. apd her eyes we're burning
with token Of excitement and sus-
pense. For all that, rare, natural
beauty shone in every feature, and
the evident fact that she was In deep
mental distress aroused the sympathy
Of Dare. She advanced to the counter
and placed the box upon It.
"See, SIR she spoke plaintively, II
could not borrow money. but have
brought my coat and hat and some
little trinkets. Won't. they make up
the amount OF the loanT'
The sortiid-faced> pawnbroker opened
the box, tossed over its contents cas-
gualiy and shook his head. The girl
choked up and clutched at the coun-
ter to support herself.
'Oh- don't say not" she pleaded In
broken, despairing accents. It means
life or death for my dear sick father
unless he has his favorite Amati. He
has not yet missed the violin. It would
break his heart if he knew It was
gone. Listen, sir, his wild, Maynard
nephew stole 1t from the home and
pawned it here with you. / never
knew it until found the loan ticket.
An hour since, for the first time in
weeks. my father seemed to revive like
his old self. You will prepare light
repast and prop me up with pillows
he said to me, and bring me my pre-
cious Amati, and we will have an old
time musical soul FEAST"
lady" said the pawnbroker," n
cannot let the instrument go without
the $50 borrowed upon it never
break a business rule, but l will give
you 500 for the VIOLIN"
"Oh, would not dare sell it,"
''Two hundred. You are poor; that
Will mean more to your sick father
than sentiment"
"Give the young lady her property"
spoke Dare, moved by a mighty Inn
pulse, ana he placed the $50 bill upon
the counter. The pawnbroker glared
at him distastefully, for he fully COM
pretended the value of the violin.
The young lady stared in amazement
at Dare, but she took up the violin
case the pawnbroker reluctantly ten
dered, and Rugged 1t lovingly, her
grateful eyes, swimming with tears,
turned upon Dare. He accompanied
her to the door"
'Young lady, the gentleman has just
pawned all he has Of value to give him
food and shelter. Five hundred dol
lars for the VIOLIN" said the pawn
broker, but Dare hurried the girl out
under the awning.
''Oh. sir!" she spoke" is 1t true that
your great good heart has sacrificed"
''Pay no attention to the man." in
terrupted Dare lightly. II am tempo
rarily out of funds, but as man hav-
ing an interest in hundred thousand
dollar proposition, would be pretty
RI CO. a nj
man, would not?'
She chung to his arm as she piloted
the way down the street, he intimating
that he would like to see her home,
and hoping he could be Of further
service They reached the poor, OBJ
scure rooms where Robert Dalzier and
his daughter lived and for an hour
Roslyn Dare reveled in music that
seemed to bring his soul in perfect
consonance with all that was sweet
and worthy in life.
II shall surely pay you back"
pledged the girl earnestly. "There is
room on the next floor my fugitive
cousin occupied, and you could share
our poor meals until-untfl fortune
comes back to you, as 1t surely will.
for all your noble goodness"
Dare found work the next morning |
The delightful company Of father and
daughter evenings brought new and .
joyous delight into his life. At the
end of two weeks Vera, WHO had Sc
cured employment as we'll for herself,
brought to him the money he had adj
octo5 hor lOyo instead