Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1920-09-22
His
Last Dollar
By EVELYN LEE

upon the counter
He had seen better DAYS Tbov
were dark ones now, indeed. Looking
hack single year, when he had come
to the city with comfortable notr,.
mony, he had invested II gradpallv in
an automobile accessory which on the
SURFACE seemed capable of earning
fortune In theory and as model it
demonstrated to perfection. Practi-
caiiy used 1t would not stand the test
I've begsared you, but I've been
honest with YOU" said John Moore.
sorrowfully. "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 a 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 500
now. and stood for n moment caIculat-
ing where he would go to get cheap
room aud board. The door Of the
/ paWushop opened as he was about 70
leave and young girl carrying a long
| pasteboard box entered. She was drip-
ping with ths outside rain, her an
| parel was poor and threadhare. the
wind had thrown her hair into dis
order, her face was pale and anxious
| looking, and her eyes were burning
| with token Of excitement and sus-
pense. For all that, a 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 1t.
See, sir" she spoke plaintively. ~
could not borrow money, but have
! brought my coat and hat and some
little trinkets. Won't they make up
the amount Of the loan?"
The sordid-faced pawnbroker opened
the box. tossed over its contents cas-
nally and shook his head The girl
choked up and ciutched at the coun-
ter to support herself
"0h. don't say no." she pleaded in
broken, despalring accents. 1t means
l:fe or death for my dear sick father
unless he has his favorite Amati. He
has not yet missed the violin. II would
break his heart II he knew It was
gone. Listen, sir, his wild, hayward
nephew stole II from the home and
pawned It here with you. | never
knew 1t 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 a light
repast and prop me up with pillows
he said to me, and bring me my pre-
cIous Amatl, and we will have an old
time musical soul feast"
Lady" said the pawnbroker," i
cannot let the instrument 90 without
the $50 borrowed upon it. / never
break business rule, hut I will give
you 800 for the violin"
"Oh. | would not dare sell TT"
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 i'm
pulse, and he placed the $50 bill upon
the counter. The pawnbroker glared
at him dstastefully, for he fully COM
pretended the value of the violin.
The young lady stared in amazement
al Dare. hut she took up the violin
case the pawnhroker reluctantly ten
dered. and Rugged it 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 I" she spoke" is 1t true that
your great good heart has sacrificed"
PAY no attention to the man." in
terrupted Dare lightly. 81 am tempo
rarily out of funds. but as a man hav-
ing an interest in hundred thousand
dollar proposition, | would he pretty
callous to refuse to save poor old
man. would not?'
She chung to his arm as she piluted
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
a room on the next floor my fugitive
cousin occupied, and you could share
our poor meals until-until fortune
comes back to you, as II surely will,
for all your noble goodness"
napa fnund work the next morning