Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1927-08-04
,ntinued from last weekly
CHAPTER VII

rather disagreeable to tell Mary, kept
putting off the evil day and hour.
Sooner or later 1t must be told, but
Polly Johnston. though by no means
fool, was of singularly sanguine
temperament. She still hoped that
kind fortune might intervene In some
miraculous manner and save her the
trouble and necessity Of telling. If
not, it would have to be done, but not
this day, If she could help it. Having
come to that decision, it behooved her
to keep away from Mary.
She could refuse to go out, pleading
a headache, thus removing herself
from Mary's presence and scrutiny.
When the girl presented herself,
fresh, smiling, and ready for motor
ing, she found her mother lying down.
She did not see the novel that her
mother had poked under her pillow
when she heard Mary coming. Elk
plantations were made, received, and
then came silence.
Mrs. Johnston wriggled herself into
more comfortable position, and the
novel fell on the floor. Mary restored
1t to the couch. Mother never read
when she had real headache. The
situation became tense.
"Come, Mother" coaxed Mary,
what's up2 You've been grouching
sweetly for several days, you know.
I've got to know sooner or later, 80
let it be now
Mrs. Johnston sighed, made swift
mental calculation that she had bet
ter tell the most obvious first, and be-
gan:
Il can't keep it from you forever,
but did want to keep it just little
longer. However, here 1t is, Mary.
l haven't any money. Not cent.
And the dividends on the stock, pay
able this month, just aren't going to
be paid"
Mary gave little gasp of astonish-
ment and sat down on the floor by the
couch. do you mean, Mother, that
we haven't any money at all, or that
we're just faced with period Of de-
pressed finances and will have to tide
over things until the first Of next
month, when you'll get something
from somewhere7 Tell me the whole
thing. The very worst"
Mrs. Johnston saw instantly how
useless 1t was to keep anything back
from Mary. at means the very worst
you can think. / drew the last money
1 had in the bank to come down here.
expected, Of course, to have Colonel
Rittenhauser send nae enough money
to carry me along for another three
months.
swell, my dear, he's been specufat-
ing with all available money and Sc
curities. He lost mine along with
those belonging to other people, and
he's. in Jail.
1.-THE rest of my money is tied up
in stock that isn't paying dividends
that Is, all except money invested by
my uncde In Russian securities,
which are now worth nothing. There's
some land here, in this country, but
can't raise money on 1t at mo-
ment's notice..
"Poor old mother! Have you any
cash at all?'
Mrs. Johnston laughed. "About
thirty dollars left. I said I'd sent for
servants, but I haven't. However,
have interviewed Mrs. Pulsifer on the
subject Of coming here and closing
up this house for me in case have to
80 to New York suddenly, 50 that's
that. l think TIL have to go there
soon. It'll be lot harder for you,
Mary, than for me. Just now you
ought to have everything"
POOH" said Mary. wait till you
see me suffer- Honestly, Mother, I
can't realize It. We've never had to
speak of money like this before. Why,
we've always had it,
You always have" Mrs. Johnston
answered, "but there was time when
I had none"
Mary was amazed. "You never
told me that. You must, but not now.
Wen Just have to be practical, Moth
or. What can we sell, and how shall