Rockingham post-dispatch. [volume] (Rockingham, N.C.) 1917-1965, 1922-08-10
The Edge of
Things
ny MYRA CURTIS LANE

-
Five dOllarsi Can't let you have
more than, two-Hfty on this" said old
Isaacstein, examining the trinket.
SAY" he continued, 1--WE got q lot Of
your stuff in my safe. Dad out Of
work.
Della's lip Quiyered.
dads dead" she answered.
"Ain't you got no brothersT Isaac
stein Queried.
II 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
wounded comrade at the cost of his
own life. The little pension did not
60 far, and Mrs. Flanagan had been Ill
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 Isaacsteln,
and the old pawnbroker looked up at
her through his glasses as she handed
O 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 IsaacsteiR took the medals to
the light.
"I'l let you have five dollars on
thenl," he announced. "They amt
worth that but-well, l got a boy who
was In the war too. He's coming
home on a visit tomorrow. Swell Teller
he is, and got a fine job with the cleo
trio works. You amt working? he
continued.
Della explained about her mother.
Mr.. Isaacstein seemed to weigh the
matter.
II could use girl to help with the
| books at night" he said finally. IT'D
be worth ten a week to me. You see,
I'm short-handed, having no one to
help out. II YOU cared to consider"
When Della had gone he stared after
her little figure. THAT'S tough" said
old Isaacstein. N guess If I'd given
her back those medals she'd have took
'em somewhere else and never got
EN- back"
Della came to work the following
evening, and found husky young man
In the back parler.
"Xou don't mind met" he asked with
\ smile. I'm only home on visit
"Not at ALL" sale, 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 q Jew" reflected
Della, as she made her way homeward
night or two later. "Hes-well, he's
nice"
"Well, suppose she is Irish, DadT'
said Bob to his father. "Nationalities
don't cut much ice in America nova
days-at least, they're not supposed to.
wish you'd been at the front, you'd
understand better, Dad" he added
wistfully. "By the way, I never found
| out what her name was. Flanagan,
you say?" He seemed to mediate
awhile. "That sure Is Irish," he said
pensively.
you're sure you understand now?'
he asked Della next night. "Of course,
1t 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. There1l be more money coming
in little while. I'm leaving for Chi
cago In couple of days. Just been
| offered q job there with our firm
managing a 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 brother out thereq' asked
| Bob.
"Well, guess that amt strange"
said old Isaacsteln. Il,
"No, but--some things are" an
swered Bob graphically.
Next evening there was a 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
sYou know, there was something
wanted to say before Il went away"
| he began "but / haven't found the
nerve to, on account Orwell, II you
can guess whatdt Is, you'll know Why
| "0h, know, and--aTd you mustn't
tell me-" breathed Della quickly.
Bob nodded. THAT'S how i fslt,"
he answered. "only--your brother-ex
cuse my speaking Of him-but think
| | knew him out in the Argonne. Very
tall, thinnish fellow, wasn't her
Delia's eyes opened wide. "You-