The Hope pioneer., 1922-11-09
The Edge Of
Things
By MYRA CURTIS LANE

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Copyright. 1922. Western Newspaper Union
Give dollars? Can't let you have
more than two-tifty on this" said old
Isaacstein, examining the trinket.
'Say," he continued, 1--WE got a lot of
your stuff in my safe. Dad out Of
work?"
Delia's lip Quivered.
Dads Dead" she answered.
"Ain't you got no brothersy Isaac
stein queried.
Il had-one. He's Dead" whispered
Della.
Taking the small sum which Isaac
stein paid over the counter, she al
most ran out Of the pawnshop, forget
ting the ticket altogether.
She was glad she had not told him
that her brother died in the war. That
was memory she treasured-Tom
Flanagan's heroic exploit in rescuing
q wounded comrade ut the cost Of his
own life. The little pension did not
60 far, and Mrs. Flanagan had been i'll
for long time. Della had to stay
home to care for the paralyzed woman
"Ten dollars" she told her mother.
But afterward she stood aghast, won
dering what they were going to do.
She paid another visit to Isaacstein,
and the old pawnbroker looked up at
her through his glasses as she handed
little packet across the counter.
"Dad's?" he asked, examining the
two medals with their particolored
ribbons.
"My brothers, answered Della. "He
he died."
Old 1saacstein took the medals to
the light.
''Ill let you have five dollars on
them," he announced. "They amt
worth that but-well, got boy who
was in the war too. He's coming
home on visit tomorrow. Swell feller
he is, and got fine job with the elec-
trio works. You amt working?" he
continued.
Della explained about her mother.
Mr.. Isaacstein seemed to weigh the
matter.
Il could use girl to help with the
books at night he said finally. IT'D
be worth ten week to me. You see,
I'm short-handed, having no one to
help out. If you cared to consider"
When Della had gone he stared after
her little figure. That's tough" said
old Isaacstein. II guess if I'd given
her back those medals she'd have took
'em somewhere else and never got
'em back"
Della came to work the following
evening, and found a husky young man
in the back parlbr.
you don't mind me?' he asked with
a smile. "1'm only home on a visit"
"Not at ALL" said Della politely
He showed her the bookkeeping,
having himself worked in the pawn
shop before going through college.
They learned lot about each other
during the evenings that followed
what pity he's Jew" reflected
Della, as she made her way honeward
a night or two later. "He's-well, he's
NICE"
''Well, suppose she is Irish. Dad?
said Bob to his father. "Nationalities
don't cut much ice In America nova
days-at Least, they'resnot supposed to
wish you'd been at the front, you'd
understand better, Dad" he added
wistfully. "By the way, never found
out what her name was. Flanagan,
you say?" He seemed to mediate
awhile. THAT sure is Irisl," he said
pensively.
You're sure you understand now?"
he asked Della next night. "Of course.
it is different to any other sort of
bookkeeping Dad likes the way you've
put them in order, and he was saying
he'd like to keep you as long as you'll
stay. There'll be more money coming
in little while. I'm leaving for Chi
cago in a couple of days. Just been
offered job there with our firm
managing new factory. It's some
place, they tell me-"
That was pay day. Della waited till
Bob had gone out and then timidly
asked for the medals. Old Isaacstein
handed them to her. He told his son
about it after.
She had a brother out there?" asked
Bob.
We'll, guess that amt strange"
said old Isaacstein.
mo, but-some things are," an
swered Bob cryptically.
Next evening there was sense of
constraint between them. Della would
miss Bob when he had gone. When
she had finished her work he went to
the door with her.
"You know, there was something ]
wanted to say before 1 went away"
he began, "but l haven't found the
nerve to, on account of-well, if you
can guess what it is, you'll know why"
"Oh, l know, and-and you mustn't
tell me-" breathed Della quickly.
Bob nodded ''That's how felt"
he answered, "only-your brother-ex-
cuse my speaking Of him-but l think
l knew him out in the Argonne. Very
tall, thinnish fellow, wasn't he"