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PECULIAR FORM OF GRAFT. Little Margie came running in from school with I a small bank in her hand, which had been given her by Fred Amos, a young friend, employed at the First National Bank as collection clerk. Holding it high above her head she shook it. strongly that her mother might the better hear tin* rattling of the coins which Fred had placed in it. Her wealthy aunt, Mi's. Anna Martin, who had been in the habit of ignoring the McLanes, including her own sister, because of the family's poverty and the honery posi tion which Mr. McLane held with the citv govern ment, took the little girl by the hand and asked her many questions concerning what she would do with the money in her purse if sin' put it all in tin* bank. “Whv,” said Margie, “I'd save it until I got a hun dred dollars, and then. 1 would buy my mamma a nice, new dress, my papa a new hat, and a boat for George; if I had any left I would use it to put a tomb over the grave of my brother Koy. Oh, Aunt Ann. vou never did see my little brother that died until we went to bury him, did you’ I wish you had. for he was pretty before he took sick, and did not look at all like he did the day you saw him at the grave.’’ Mrs. Martin admitted that she hadn't and that she was really very sorry for it, as tears came into [ her eyes, for she had not forgotten the death of her own first-born, which the conversation with the child brought back fresh to her mind. Opening her rich purse she took ten dollars from it and deposited it in the child's bank, all that she had with her, and promised to add to it from time to time if Margie would take it to her home in pass ing on her way to school. Margie kept her promise to do so faithfully, and each time that she found her aunt in, went away better off by one dollar or more. Her bank was now quite full, and she consulted her mother as to how she had best spend it what color annd style of dress to buy for her, the kind of hat to get papa, and if she would not go with her and select the stone to cover her brother's grave. Although her heart was set upon making this use of the money, her mother, who had grown old and weary in the struggle with poverty and now saw with her little daughter’s money an opportunity to take advantage of an investment advertised in the afternoon paper, readily persuaded the child to allow her to use it in purchasing a home for them. “Just the thing to buy." exclaimed tin* little girl, clapping her hands and beaming with delight, “for then poor papa won't have to work so hard to pay the rent and we won't have to be moving any more and leaving our pretty Howers and garden. Besides, we can wait until Aunt Ann gives me more money to put the tomb up and get George's boat. Aunt Ann won’t be angry.” THE REASON By E. Lamar Parker. So Mrs. McLane took tin* money, amounting to S7S.‘H. ami went hastily down to the elegant offices of the “ Home Purchasing (’o-operative Associat ion, ’ with which she deposited six dollars for a certificate which at maturity (?) would entitle her to a loan of $2,300. ami signed an agreement to pay monthly into tin* coffers of the association the sum of $15.60. These payments she kept up until not only was the last penny of the child's money gone, but all that she could rake, scrape and borrow elsewhere. Much of tin l rent money had been expended in this way ami Mr. McLane had gotten so far behind in his payments that he had been notified to vacate the premises. Tin* grocery bill for the lasi month remained unpaid, and tin 1 family was without food to (‘at. In the meantime, the certificate had not yet matured, ami Mr. Lasseter, the association's manager, couldn't tell to save his life when it would mature. He was very sorry that he could not extend the payment of the monthly dues and unless the amount was received by noon of the next day he would be compelled, under the rules of the association, to serve notice upon her of tin* cancellation of the certificate. This is what he did do. for tin* McLanes had ex hausted everv resource in Irving to raise the monev and had failed. “They simply could not keep up their obligations and so lost out," said Mr. Lasseter, in explaining the cast* to an attorney from the Legal Aid Society, who had called for information concern ing' the matter at the request of a society for the des titute. which had been appealed to for aid now. since Mi'. McLane had lost his position ami had no means of support. “May I ask." said Mr. Simpson, who was regard ed as one of tin* society's shrewdest lawvers. “if you would lose out if you were to fail to keep your obli gations .’ ’ ’ ‘‘ Most assuredly," replied the fat manager. ‘' We have to require prompt settlement from our patrons to keep on good terms with the sheriff, and 1 suppose that all businesses do the same, because they. too. have to. ’’ “Well, let. me tell you very plainly. Mr. Lasse ter,” said Mr. Simpson, “you are to lost 4 out. for you know very well that you cannot keep your obli gations to investors and do not intend any such thing on making contracts. Another thing that I want you to understand is that you and tin* sheriff will not remain on friendly terms very much longer, as 1 am determined to see to it. backed by our society, that you and your business is decently prosecuted. hi tin* meantime, please hand over to me without further delay the sum of S3SO. which Mrs. McLane has paid into your hands, and arrange* to meet other claims of a similar kind as fast as I present them, or take your chance with a lot of trouble 1 am prepared to cause vou in the courts of law.' 3