The guardian. [volume] (Boston, Mass.) 1901-1960, 1940-09-07
The Pink
Invitation
go
By JANE OSBORN
Mcclure Syndicate-WNU Service)
Mcclure syndicate-wNU serviceJ

opened-an abrupt announcement
from the local bank that she had
overdrawn her account to the extent
OF six dollars and three cents.
Maisy sighed. In a way she had
been prepared for it. Pansy, her
old colored cook-housekeeper, had
brought it into her little studio after
the postman had come yesterday
afternoon. She noticed the name of
the bank on the outside of the en-
velope, vaguely guessed what the
letter contained and laid it on her
desk. She was too absorbed in her
painting at the time to bother about
1t then. So she went on, patiently
putting in the finishing touches on
the lovely rose garden that was
later to serve as the cover for
nurseryman's catalogue.
After breakfast the next morning
she opened this envelope from the
bank. 1t was at least a comfort to
know that the overdraft was no
larger. She found ten dollars in her
purse-ten dollars and few silver
pieces. Well, she could buy enough
food for the day with the change
and the ten dollars would cover the
amount due. 1t would be embar-
RAISING to go down to the bank with
just ten dollars, and there was no
way of getting any more until she
had been to the city. Maisy sat
and considered ways and means.
She hated to face the receiving teller
and it would probably be her luck
to find the sourfaced Mr.. Granger at
the window That would be bad
enough-facing the lemon-tempered
MIR. Granger-but it would be worse
facing Mr.. Berton, the very nice
looking young cashier, whose genial
smile Maisy felt sure would have
brought him fame and fortune in
the movies. Of course, he doubtless
knew of her mistake. They had
probably discussed her at TIE bank
said things about her. They didn't
know that Maisy chung strictly to
her self-imposed rule of saving
three-quarters of all the money she
earned. That amount she deposited
with trust company in the city,
where the money was invested in
the safest sort of security. Maisy
had never tried to keep any sort of
accurate record of her bank account.
Maisy arrived on the stroke of
nine and bravely made out her little
deposit slip and approached the win
dow of the receiving teller with
fast-beating heart. 1t beat little
faster when she saw that Mr.. Ber-
ton was on duty.
Il hardly had courage to come
down this morning." she said little
shyly, handing in her small deposit
with her book. But I just haven't
been able to keep track of my ac-
count know it is stupid"
Mr.. Berton looked up with an
amused smile. "Oh, so you got
pink invitation, too," he said. "I
didn't even know it.
mo harm done anyway" said Mr..
Berton, mechanically recording her
deposit in her book. perhaps I'd
better have your account balanced
for you" @
Thank you so much" said Maisy.
I'm try hard to keep it straight after
this. I'm SO stupid"
ION the contrary" said Berton,
from all l hear you are quite the
Then he looked to be
sure that no one was within hearing.
But if you have any difficulty in
keeping your accounts, perhaps l
could show you. 1t is very simple.
Perhaps l could call some time and
show you-and help you balance
up from time to time. Plenty of
clever people have the same
How very good of YOU" sighed
Maisy. 81 am going to the city for
the afternoon but I'll be home to-
night.
So Mr.. Berton called and gave
Maisy a beginners lesson in account
keeping-he stayed to look at her
and after that stayed a
little later because Maisy said she
was lonely and wanted someone to
talk to. After that he called twice
a week and Maisy sat beside him as
he attended to her accounts and told
him that as long as he was willing
to do it for her she wouldn't try to
learn. Then one day Berton made
a suggestion-not without little en-
He told Maisy that he
wondered why she didn't try to save
a little. There were lots of ways
that she could economic and--if she
had set her heart on remaining I'M
married all her life-it was time for
her to think about saving for a rainy
day.
Maisy told him she hadn't set her
heart on remaining single all her
she looked up at him tim
idly-and Berton looked back at her
little and then took her
into his arms and said, Gust a lit
tle," when Maisy asked him if he
loved her Afterwards when Berton
was about to leave Maisy said that
as long as she didn't intend to re-
main single all her life she supposed
It wouldn't be necessary to start
saving.
NTil1 10 H. -,,,..a g. A. - 8,