Evening Republican, Volume 22, Number 170, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 21 July 1919 — Inspection Invited [ARTICLE]

Inspection Invited

By ZONA FROST

<Copyrirht,_ 1918, by the McClure Newspaper Syndicate.) “There, by crickets,” said Tommy, •yeing with pride the brand-new sign he had just dangled from the old arm on the end of the gate post. "If that don’t fetch ’em. nothing will, Gwen. Pretty nifty, ain’t it. even if your little brad did do it for you." Gwyn rested from her labors and smiled with deep satisfaction. The sign was conspicuous, but not rudely so, and it was to the point. FINEST HAND LAUNDERING. INSPECTION INVITED. “It was hard to get it all there, too, I want you to know.” added Tom. “Think folks’ll talk much?’ "Who cares how much they talk; go ’long, boy!” Uncle Peter brushed him to one side disdainfully. "Miss Gwen ain’t goin’ ter touch any washin*, is she? She’s Jes' the official negotiator. Julia’s goin’ ter turn out all de hand washin’ dey send along.” "Wouldn’t the major just chew nails if he could see it?" Gwen smiled happily. "It's so nice to have an illustrious father who never comes to see you. and is around on the other side of the world most of the time. I really thjnk dad believes we live on honey and cream and sunshine. Tommy. We'll get some good -roast beef once more and a whole barrel of flour at once, instead of rations. You’ve got to drive after all laundry and deliver it on Saturday, Tom. Hl do it week days.” Glendale was treated to the surprise of years when the full significance of the Sign on the old Hilbert place dawned on its inhabitants. Certainly the two Hilbert children were liable to do anything radical, coming from the stock they- did, but at least they were supposed to keep to the line, socially. When Gwen drove calmly around the small town tn her smart yellow cart calling for and delivering laundry as if she were scattering blessings broadcast, even little Miss Carey, the dressmaker, said it did seem as if all shame and decency had gone out of folks when they could take in washing. But oddly enough the new laundry prospered amazingly. lor the guests at the two hotels at the springs had never heard of Major Hilbert or his children, and after the first samples of Aunt Julia's washing reached customers, Gwen found she could control the summer trade. So the big grove back of the smoke house became a huge open-air laundry where Aunt Jutin reigned su-’ prerne over five helpers, and I ncle Peter drove the yellow cart now instead of Gwen. It was quite enough work to manage the little office she had opened off the dining room, and keep track of everything. And before the first month was over there was such a wonderful balance to the good that Gwen ran out to the grove and hugged Aunt Julia before everybody, and cried allttleon her ample shoulder. “We’ll pay up every last blessed bill in three months if this keeps up.” she exclaimed. “You darling, you. Aunt Julia. I declare I'll give you a pale pink velvet robe of glory for this. Do you know we’ve got every one of the new guests, every last one? This Mrs. Ramsen is .a dear old thing. She’s got two sons eomlng on from somewhere today. and she says they always wear pongee pajamas. and she’s never yet fopnd a laundry could do them up right. We will; won’t we. auntie?” ’ . The next morning the yellow cart stopped outside the iron rail fence, and Gwen saw that Uncle Peter had some one with him. some one> who hurried up the walk to the veranda and rang the bell outside the screen door energetically. She answered it herself. . He seemed very nice and very tall and boyish. “Well, you see.” he began cheerfully. “you’re Miss Hilbert, aren't you? I’m Dick Remsen. My brother and I came on last night from New York and I promised your father I'd call at once—” “Dad? Is he r over here?” gasped Gwen, glancing at the sign instinctively. “Oh, horrors!” “He's not hurt a bit.” Dick assured her earnestly. “He’s in fine condition, but he can’t come oh for a while yet. I’m awfully glad to meet you. He’s talked about you all so much, you know. I felt as if I could not wait to meet you." Gwen smiled up at him teasing!)’. “Are the pongee pajamas yours? Be-, cause, if they are. I can tell you right now we’ll do them up beautifully. Come on and sit-down and tell. me all about my forgetful father. Do you thipk it will shock him to .find me in business?” , “It won't shock him. Miss Hilbert.” Dick hesitated a minute and plunged? After all, she would have .to know sooner or later. “It may startle Mrs.* Hilbert, but she's all You’ll like her.” “Mrs. Hilbert!” repeated Gwen slowly. “You mean dad is married to somebody? That he Is bringing any one here —a new wife !” < “Mother likes her imfhensely. She’s an American and very charming. SJie’s due here today or tomorrow. Going to stay with mother first until the toajor can join her.” “But she mustn’t do that” Gwen tried to jet a grlpbn her senses. “She

must come here, of course. Dad would wish that. It’S the right thing to .do.” And then she looked at the sign again And it mocked her. “Inspection Invited” —AirtThwe rae seiged wl'tti a longing tusnatch It do w u and bide it from tiie scorning gaze of the interloper.i "Won’t you please find out when she is to arrive, and —and I’ll meet her with your mother." ' The major came on a /week later, handsomer than ever, and hungry for a sight of the big old house on a knob Of the Cumberlands. All the way he wondered how he was going to make peace between Gwen and the new. mother, and when train drew in he saw the two standing together, comrades already, with Dick behind them and Uncle Peter waving and wiping his eyes from the express truck. All the story of the laundry was told on the way home, and at every remonstrance from the major Mrs. Hilbert took Gwen's part. It had been wonderful and remarkable of her, she said, even to trv to swing such an Undertaking. Gwen's lashes lifted once only to her father’s grim fqce. "I’ve paid up every last dollar we owed with- those soapsuds. Dad." "And, dear,” added his wife, firmly, “I can assure you when we were doing canteen work very often we women did not-only our own washing, but that of others who needed help.” "Mother says our pongee pajamas—” began Dick; then stopped, flushed violently at Gwen’s look. "You needn't have told them about those," she said as they two stood for a moment on the veranda steps together, after the house was reached. "I’m not going to have that sign up all my life. I hope.” “I hope not, too.” Dick assented fervently. "I made up my mind the first day I saw it that I'd take It down myself just the minute you gave me a . chance. And I’m going to ask for the chance mighty soon, too.” Gwen drew in a deep breath of relief. After all. a good soldier may be permitted to be glad when the war is o\'er. “I don’t care how soon you try It, Dick.” she said, and slipped by his reaching arms into the house.