The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1920-05-28
NEIGHBoRs
IN NEED
BY sA1DEE E. BALLOON


Copyright. 1919. wsstsrn Newspaper Union,
With quiet appreciative smile up
on her expressive face, Margery Dale
bent her ear In the direction Of the
room adjoining her own. From observa
ton and audible demonstration She
knew that 1t held four young men. The
partition was thin and she could ca
ly catch sounds beyond normal.
One Of the group started a mourn
full tune on 4 flute. There was a whiz.
Eing noise. evidently made by q pillow
vigorously flung. A lodging body
graxed the wall. An easel or 4 chair
was upset. 4 scramble and 4 scunie
ensued.
That hsfse-play will do, fellows r.
sang out = nellsw. pleasing voice
which Marrsry loved to hear, and
which she knew from what the land.
lady had told her belonged to Nevil
Barry. "the leader of that turbulent,
happy quartette," as Mrs. Parton had
put 1t. poor fellowsi I'm thinking
they are on the ragged edge of moth
ing. having lost their positions. Jolly
enough, though, and honest, for they've
paid me all up, but think went with
out regular meals to do It."
'Im going down to the old Office, to
see If there's any chance Of the resur-
rection of our dismal failure, the
Weekly Chit-Chat," went ON that same
engaging voice. "They were to sell the
wreck Of the layout at auction today,
and 1t may bring enough to settle up
the debts and leave us q dividend. If
it does. you shall eat tonight"
Nevil Barry had disclosed enough to
advise Margery of the circumstances
surrounding himself and his friends.
1t appeared that he had become ambi-
tious as the editor Of q country paper.
and had managed to get together SUM.
cient to start one in the city. His
three friends had literary ability,
and they got out four issues of a very
creditab1e sheet. Then Barry's capital
gave out, and the audacious Quartette
found themselves on the verge Of bank
ruptcy.
Margery knew of all this and pitied
these exiles Of fortune.
Now she smiled indulgently at the
echo of some caper or bit Of badinage
from the trio In the next apartment,
and rather enjoyed her silent COM
partnership with them. She recognized
from their conversation that they were
clean, clever young fellows, expert
enced true sisterly sympathy in their
ups and downs, and amid her loneli-
ness somewhat imbibed their spirit Of
hnt L.
Of life. 1t was two hours later when
she heard Barry return from his mis-
sion. A turbulent babble. arose from
his conferees.
"No sustenancei" cried one. ''whers's
the promised milk and honey, 1.-The sue
culent roast, the toothsome dessertT
They're coming, all Of Them" de-
nothing but promise of work. I've got
something better-prospects. Fellows,
there is no dividend from the sale Of
our former princely possessions, but
the assets Of our princely venture were
sold at auction for a mere pittance
to a rich tunkman, 80 rich. indeed, that |
when / went to see him he considered |
investing ten thousand dollars in Chit
Chat revived as q mere bagatelle."
"You mean you've found an angel, |
4 backers"
sJust that; a humble old money |
grubber willing to shine as 4 patron Of |
struggling literature. Next Monday
morning all four Of us are to enter up |
on a salary and half interest basis
with this ambitious Croesus."
Cheered comment and exuberancs
greeted the welcome announcement ,
Amid q merry, excited babble, tho
tones Of Barry arose once more in di.
rection and counsel.
1.-THE landlady is paid up, so We
haven't that on our minds" he OBJ
served. "All we have to worry about
Is the food. II we can stick 1t out I'M
til Monday, we are made men. Ny
watch is about the only thing left that
is pawnable. Ho, then. for our illus
trious uncle"
Margery acted on an uncomfortable
impulse. She went to the deor as that
of the next room opened. She faced
Nevil Barry AZ he neared her.
walt" she said, flushed and ex-
cited. II am your next-room neigh
bor."
Barry raised his hat with the grace
of q finished courtier.
II have been an eavesdropper uncon-
sciously." she went on. Tha watch
don'tl And getting through until
Til help you. I have q little
money ahead. And two-plate gas
stove. And II you will be content with
my cooking why not have breakfast
and supper with ineT
Nevll Barry stared at the lonely girs
as II m angel had abruptly crossed his
path.
sIts wonderful I" he said simply.
you can't mean It !"
II do" smiled Aargssy. Like your
selves, this Is my Ars< eaty experiment
The iandiady is yspr friend. Let me
" the saMR pleaser' III
Deeorousay, gratefully, admiringly,
~ ,AtOh< every rn0Spi01 and aiY avarv