New-York tribune., 1921-03-13

Al II tOIC2 tAofCtCt SCtIC! fCNo
4 ing the big, direct eyes,
aUere as provocative as
bing again, opened her purse.
Here's little. Just for nova
hundred or So" She tossed what
banknotes she had into her mothers
lap. "No, don't you say anything
about it. Listen. I suppose papa
owes more or less"
"Well, Of course-he's very
hopeful now, as soon as Mr.. Wes-
ton"---
''Listen here! I can't stay now.
I've got performance at 2. We
do two day, you know. And I've
got hunch you'd better talk with
papa first-sorta break it to him.
But, listen, you and papa sit down
tonight and make up list of every
penny he owes-every penny, mind,
with interest at per cent. Ny
father and mother took care of me
when I was kid, and / didn't
treat 'em right, and I tell you right
now they're not going to suffer
while I've got a dollar to share
with 'em. No, | guess
there amt much use Of our trying
to talk about it. III be out to-
morrow on the same train, and I'll
expect that list to be ready. Papa
won't feel so darn bad when be
sees the coin. Money talks"
"Oh, Minnie; it hurts me a little
to have you say things like
"But it does, mamma! You can't
get back of that"
WIN. P. and Mrs. Mason dined
" that evening on beefsteak,
French fried potatoes, aspara-
gus, ice cream and coffee in
the restaurant of the Chicago ter
minal, and VIM. P. called the
waiter George" and gave him
so cents afterward. Then, curious
ly silent, he helped her on a Clark
Street car. Mrs. Mason's face
twitched nervously as she rode.
Furtively they slipped into back
seats in the dingy theater Silent
ly, speaking Of othe--, trivial things,
they took car and train back to
Sunbury
1t was on the walk home that
the mother spoke her thoughts.
II suppose it--isn't bad-if
only she wouldn't-w-wear'' -
She could get no further with it.
after all" explained VIM.
P, with pathetic eagerness, cts
just what Minnie calls it, it's bust
ness. Of course, there's folks out
here that wouldn't understand.
Narrow folks. Every village has
those. But it means something.
don't it, that she owns her own
show. Means character, don't it?
know it's queer, but
They sat in the two front windows,
VIM. P, haggard after a sleepless
night, III the patent rocker; Mrs.
Mason, who never leaned back, in
the straight chair with the cane seat.
Outside the young leaves of the elms
rustled brightly in the flooding gold
en- sunlight.
They watched each casual uasser-
by; strained their eyes at each sound.
When the silence had grown long she
asked:
"Where'd you put the list, WHIP"
He opened his hand to show the
folded paper.
"She's coming, Will; see her"
"Oh, yes!" He was staring out
through the screen at the richly at
tired creature who walked with so
conspicuously easy a swing.
Hadn't we better go down and
meet her, Will? You know she's
busy woman"
"Oh, suppose so. You mustn' |.
scold if Pm a little severe with her
Sue"
ooh, Will; not now; not when
! cbo'c,'
"1'll have to act as I feel. There's
some things it's no good trying to
cover up
But on the steps, as Minnie came
IN at the gate, VIM. P. cried.
1t was Minnie who took matters
/ in hand.
Have you got the list, papa"
she asked, strangely like the child he
had lost. "If you have We'll e.
straight down TO the bank"
Il think I've got it all down.
Minnie; but Pm not sure about
some Of the interest"
"Mr. Weston can straighten that
out. They have interest tables in
banks"