South Bend News-Times, Volume 36, Number 328, South Bend, St. Joseph County, 24 November 1919 — Page 7

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A 66Nw Out 99 y Joalla Johnson

OOD morning." When Mary

Ellen turned and saw Mi? Sarah Potts standing In the doorway she set the blue china cup down eo hard that It would never serv a a cup again. It wui ths secend visit that week Miss Sarah had made to Aunt Muzzy, and it wan the sscond cup Mary Ellen had broken.Mary Ellen adored that china, with its Quaint blue figures, and she wished most heartily that Miss Sarah would Uy away. But Miss Sarah lored to come up to the little white and gren house to show Aunt Muzzy what an awful mistake she had made when she tare the Applegate children a borne five year ago. "I said at the tide, rny dear, that it would be absurd for you t) take one child at your age, but to take all fire you must have been craiy." This wu Miss Sarah's favorite speech, and today Mary Ellen shook her fist at the shiny black bark as it disappeared Into the parlor. "She's a hateful old thing, and I suppose she's com to talk about Bob Just because he didn't pas3 and won't graduate. She came every day when 'Bllllam' ran away and she never forgets to ssk If we're heard from him yet. Bhe says he's probably in Jail and we're bound not to amount to anything because the Applegates are shiftless, no account lot." Mary Ellen IT was the fourth day of "DressUp Week," and Lydia Lorimer was Jut about the weariest girl In the whole city. Lydia sold blouse. at MacNamara's, and It was as though the whole feminine nation had trooped past her counter In those four days, bhe dreamed blouses, she thought blouses, and she hated them all fiercely. Even the varying styles brought her no relief. Four years of blouses had brought her to the point where she longed to quit and run away where she never again would see a bit of shadow lace or crepe de chine. She took the street car home, being too far gone to walk. The afternoon mail lay on the hall table and she glanced at It only casually, for she did not expect to find anything ther that belonged to her. The sight of her own address startled her, and she snatched the letter, opening It on her way upstairs. "Frcra Charmlaa!" she gasped. "Why, I haven't heard from her In four years since I struck out for myself. She was so angry because she said I was lowering the standard of the family by going into a store to work. But what clso could I do? I wonder what he ha to nay to me?" I S LSIE MARSHALL worked as stenographer In the National 4 uank. Ordinarily her work was not particularly hard, the officials were all pleasant men aad the hours not too long. No one complained if the timeclock showed that she vu a little late now and then of a morning, and no one objected If she left early, occ asionally, beer use of a headache. KIsle was glvrn to headacheB, and the cashier hail or.ee remarked to his assistant that a frail little girl like that ought net to work anyway. "She's a good stenographer." the as-t-lvant returned. "Certainly knows r business." But ia spite of the comparatively work. ElMe found the days a lltt! wearing oa her. She wag not used to ork of any kind, beyond a little housekeeping aad answering 'phone calls for her country-doctor father. That as all ended now; there wasn't any Lome to keep, or iLy father either. or Oy r ii year he had buffeied with Kate in the city, but .-h- hated every sijht and sound of H. Often, at her defk ihtt overlooked the busy street, or on the crowded subway, she closed her eyi-s and broutht back visions of quirt Main street, the old brown houie iu the tr.Mat of its quiet lanns and her own room with the lilac buc-hes just outs'de the window. Sometimes she ached for Lome with svery fiber of her being, but always there was the city

wiped her eyes on a corner of th dish towel as she hung It up. "Come, Georgie, dearie, we'll be late for school," she added, and in spite of pleadings tucked "The Adventures of a Boy in South America" la the book rack. Miss Sarah's visits were almost as dlsturblny to little Miss Peters, whom the children had named Aunt Muzzy, as they were to Mary Ellen and today a the door closed after her guest Aunt Muazy would have liked to set something down very hard. Instead, she hurried out into the kitchen to fix the kind of patties Bob loved for lunch and while buntllng around ehe planned all about how she would make over, a dainty white dress that had once been hers Into something pretty for Mary Ellen. Aunt Muiy was like that, always planning something fcr some one else. Mien Sarah said she "was too easygoing, 'en would give tho teeth out of her mouth If any or. ssked for rn. Aunt Muzzy was glad that Mls3 Sarah did not know about the $50 she had loaned "Bllllam." Kot that Aunt Muzay regretted having lioaned it, but she. did not want to be reminded that she needed It now for tf.ie and the new sewer connection. Hlnsdaye hadn't offered much to "Bllllam" after he graduated, ro he had taken a Job In the st&ble. Aunt Muzzy

Ch.rmian March had a great deal to say and she said it to the extent of four sheets, gracefully written. Sb was hungry to see her cousin. Lydia must make shift to spend that weekend with hor without fail; she would never be forgiven if she did not appear. Lydia had no wish to offend CharmIan further than she had. She remembered the last scene between them with remorse. Charmlan had been haughty and Lydia Una. Lydia's money had gone suddenly In a bad Investment, and she chose to be Independent rather than live on her one warrantable relative until some one should offer matrimony. Now this kindly invitation filled her with longing. She must accept It. "But I have no clothes," she thought, "I can't go to that house with only a tailored skirt and wash silk blouse." She got out her bank book and studied it. She had exactly 5300 to her credit It seemed a pity to molest her rainy day fund, but If she went to Charmlan's she must go properly clad. Charmlan never would Inquire Into the wherewithal of her clothes so long afl they came up to her Idea or hat her cousin could wear. about her, hurrying, blinding flashes of color, rushing deafening sounds; nowhere the peace for which she longed. That, however, was befor she met Alden Curtis. She met him, first, at a doctor's office. That was the day she wa too ill to go home alone, and Alden. who appeared to be a frleafi of the doctor's and happened n and offered to drive her home la the doctor'n car. The doctor wasn't la aay hurry for his car. as It happened, and the fresh air made E!.iie feel better, so Alden had taken her for a halfhour spin down a country road. How much it reminded her of home, and the drives with her father! Alden had not reminded her of hoTae. however. There were no such handsome and gallant young men back In Oldport. Indcnl, he was quite the nicest person Elsie had ever met. and when he aaked If he might see her again some time perhapa Saturday aftemon. she had constated. Of course he ruuit be all right If he were a friend of Dr. Allen's. They had been properly Introduced, too. so there was nothing ir regular about It. Only she wondered a little what he did for a living. She thought he had said some vague thing about being a clerk. Clerks, she knew, had not very much moaey. She set her little mouth firmly and resolved that she would not be like other girls at the bank who let the "fol

recalled, with & little thrill of pleasure, his bright boyish look when he gare her his first earnings. "From now on Tra the man of the family. Aunt Mux." he had declared proudly, and, catching her In his arms swung her on to the table. "Professor Black says hoU give me all the books and help I want evenings, and one of these days 111 get to college." Then, taking her face In his grimy hands, he told her earnestly, "You're the finest little Muz in all the world." and giving her a quick rough hug he set her back Into her chair. But the hours at the stable had been long and irregular until "Bllllam" became more and more dissatisfied with the lack of opportunities. Thea one night ho came running breathlessly In and begged her to loan him 130. "I'll soon pay It back," he said, "I've got a chance to go West and must start at once. Cant you let me have it, please?" So Aunt Muzzy gave him what she had, and hurriedly collecting a few things Into his grip he kled them all and disappeared Into the darkness. The next day the proprietor of the stable swore his best horse had been stolen and Hinsdale shook Its righteous head and sail. "You couldn't expect anything else from an ApplegatA." As the days and weeks and months flew by without bringing a

AiEdndier CisaderelSa

The store closed at noon on Saturday and an hour later Lydia vraa on her way to Cliarmiau'B village homo. She was wearing a graceful nev eprin? suit and hat, and in her suitcase were packed away two gowns likely to fill even Charmlan with envy. Most of her bank account had gone useless to her once she was back into clothes which would be perfectly again at MacNamara's grubbing for her daily sustenance. "I've always heard that fe Lorlmers as a family were creatures of impulse, and certainly I sustain that reputation," she thought, comically. "But there's soms excuse for me. I'vo had four desperately economical and lonely years of plain shirtwaists and cheap boarding house fare without a soul of my own kind near me. I'm wild to her Charmlan sing, to eat off a Havlland plate, and sit before a wood fire. And If my whole bank account is the price I must pay for these thing-s, I'm not going to think It too big." At the little Avon station Charmlan was waiting In her big touring car. She was very affectionate in her welcomc. "How nice you look, dear! That's the prettiest hat I've seen this

Bis Ie come

lows" spend more than they could afford. So when he came after her oa Saturday In a big car she opened her eyes wide with surprise and something like disapproval. "This old machine doesn't run very well," he explained. "It belonged to a friend of mine who wanted me to try it out for h'm. I guess we can spin along fairly fast, though." They did 6pin along, not only orec the ground, but over the road to friendship. The afternoon was perfect. Juat such a late winter day, bright with the first traces of spring sunlight, Üut Elsie loved. It would be spring In the country soon. Just such country as this That Saturday was oaly the first of many happy hours that Elsie spent with Alden Curtis. They went to the theater, to little quiet restaurants, io ths partts. Elsie's feeling toward him grew to be more than friendship, and as for Alden. he was deeply in love with Elsie, from the crown of her piquant little head to the soles of her sensible little shoes. She was quite unlike aay girl he had ever known before, more simple, straightforward, more like a breath of that country air she loved so well. He told her once, rather vaguely that his home was In the country, too. Also that ho worked la a law office. But more than that, and the fact that sfce found him very

word, HlnsdAle calmly branded "Bllllam" a thief, and now Bob had failed In his high school exams and flfteen-year-old Mary Ellea was rapidly developing Into a bitter little spitfire. A wee sigh started way down In Aunt Muzzy, but It never escaped because she heard the children coming np the path, so she hurried to smooth her face into its most, beautiful smile, and. selecting the puffiest, most tempting pattie for Bob, Bhe called In her JoIIIpp? tone, "Just taste that, sir." Bob took a big bite and declared It "was great," bat he took an awful long time to swallow, and gradually all the laughs rolled themselves Into hard little frowns, and even Beth and Qeorgle ate In silence. Then suddenly Mary Ellen hid her face on her arm and cried. Bob gave her a auisk startled look, and shoring back" his plate started to leave tho room. "Bob!" Aunt Munfs tone was pleading, and stopped. " Taint no use. Aunt Muz. You've been slaving day and night to get us through school, and I've flunked. I guess folks are right; you are foolish to think you could iake anything of an Applcgate. Gee!" he exclaimed blttorlr. "Mebby folks do think I'm foolish. Bobby, dear." Aunt Muzzy admitted, "but I've been glsd every day I've Lad my beautiful big family; I'm going

spring." she cried. "You've seldom seen one better," Lydia thought. "I put the price of six lats into this one." Charmlan had married a wealthy man and her house was beautiful. Lydia, had a room all pink roses and bird's eyo mablc furniture. There wero real roses la a bowl on her dressing table. "I'll wear some of them with my black gown," she thought. Charmlaa came to lead Lydia down to dinner. Her eyes revsted upon the black gown with evident pleasure. "You look ready for conquest," she said, gayly. "And I hellere- you'll make one. Lydia, Kent Carew arrived an hour before you. He is my other house guest." "Kent Carew I" Lydia exclaimed. Her bright color dulled. "He's a great friend of Howard's," Charmlan hastened to add. "I thought It would be so nice to have you here together. I knew you used to be well acquainted." Lydia did not speak. Under her black bodice her heart was behaving awkwardly. Kent Carew, the man who might hue married her had she not lost her money? Oh, what had she dear, Elsie knew little of Aldea Curtis. Curtis. And then there came busy days at the bank. People were paying the Income tax. Every official was overworked and grew cross and hard to please. All day men aad womea crowded Into the bank to fill out their blanks, all day Elsie was busy as she could be. with no time to think of country excursions or even Alden Curtis. She had to work late several nights, and once on Saturday afternoon. A week went by without her seeing Alden. But one noon she did see him. ne was in a limousine beside a pretty and expensive looking girl. The girl woro a huge bunch of violets, they were laughing and smiling as though very happy. Elsie noted the liveried chauffeur, the Immaculate perfection of the big car and a puzzled frown darkened her face. Of course it wkrr.'t his car, probably it belonged to the plrl. The cashier's voice cut sharply in on hr musings. "Sort over ths blanks, Miss Marshall, plpaae. And bring them to me as poon as they are done." Elsie went quickly to work, resolving to put all thoughts of Alden from her mind for the present, at least. She was soon lost In the pile of papers which declared that John Jones' total Income was eleven hundred dollars, Paul Smith's twenty-four hun

right on being glad about each one of you as long as I live. Bob looked down at her curiously and told her dully; "1 asked Hebbard for a Job delivering for the summer, and he paid he'd rather have some one else." But even this announcement did not ring a sign of the pain that burned !n Acut Muzzy's heart Into her kind face. "I'Te been thinking, Bobble, that perhaps Professor Black would " she said. "Oh, Black hates a numskull." "But he admires a man." A voice In the doorway out short Bob's exclamation. "You did not seem to hear my knock, so I walked in. I wanted tosay that I have an application at th school for an Intelligent, gentlemanly boy to act as assistant clerk in one of the summer hot? Is. They pay ell expenses and a good salary, so I wrote recommending you. Bob. The charge will do you good, and next fall you can come back to us and finish." It was Man' Ellen who recovered from the general astonishment first. "Oh, oh. Bob " and, catching tho big stern professor by the sere, she rattled on: "You're awful I meanvery kind, Professor Black. We're all, we're all - "Mary Ellen is trying to tell you that w all appreciate It, Trofessor Black, Aunt Muzzy said, and the pro

gat into? For four year3 the thought of hlra had been bitter. ;?he never had expected to see him sgain. And here hs was under the same roof with her! Ho was with Howard March before the fire in the library when she entered with Charmlan. If only he had not that good look of utter sincerity! And yzt he had quietly rf-ceded from her presence when tho fact of her Iokb became known. In the mantel-glass Lydia saw herself and fell victim to another Impulse. "I'll make him sorry. I'll hurt him Just as he hurt me, she thought, savagely. She had not forgotten how to be charming. The black gown lent her courage. Within twenty-four hours she had Kent Carew juit where she wanted him, and gloried" in the fact. Then Monday morning broke gray and damp and dismal. She was Cinderella again and her chariot was a pumpkin. She rose and dressed and went down to breakfast, for she must be back in the store taut afternoon. There was no light in her face and she crumbled her toast, trying to avoid Kent Carew's eyes as he sat opposite her doing little better with his own breikfa&t. Then it was all over and she was In dred, Alden Curtis' Elsie drew her breath in amazement. There must he some mistake. And yet she knew his firm handwriting and tho little flourish with which he always signed his name. Alden Curtis, total Income sixty thousand four hundred and twenty dollars! Elsie sat holding that slip of paper, her head In a whirl. So that was why he was with that other girl, the girl who looked expensive. She was his kind of girl, of course. He had oaly been amusing himself with Elsie, ne had not been fair and hont with her. If she had known he wait a millionaire she could nerer have felt quite the same, somehow. People bred la small and poor communities like Oldport always have a certain awe of great wealth. It could never have been the same! - And yet he should have told her! Oh, well, perhaps he waj tired of her now, and she would nearer see him aguin. It &a a week since they had met, and te was with that other girl When Elsie finished her work lat that afternoon and again had leisure ia which to thiak; it seemed as If she were facing an empty world. She put on h?r wraps and started to leave the building, dreading the leug evening aloae with her thoughts. Bnt as she reached the door someone called to her, and turning, Ehe looked up into Aldea Curtis' face.

fessor declared la his gruifest tone that "It was nothing nothing but his duty." "Won't you stay and have lunch with usr Aunt Muzzy invited. "It is so late I am afraid you will not haw time to get yours." So Mary Ellen and Beth hustled to fix his place, and wee Georgie dragged up the biggest chair for the guest. But that luncheon was doomed to interruptions. They had hardly started their pudding before the msdl man came with a special delivery letter, and Aunt Muzzy's knee grew so wobbly as she tried to read the big, flourlshly scrawl that she had to hand it over to the professor. As ho read he forgot all abont b-?ing the principal of tha high school arri six feet two Inches In his stockings, but waved his napkin in the air as a boy would and shouted. "Hurrah! Hurrah!" Of cvourse, yen've guessed that the letter was from BlIllam." Probably yonVe guessed, too, that he ent positiv proof that he had had nothing to do with the m!s?ing horse. But never was a letter quite so wonderful os this one. It enclosed a check for lots more money than Aunt Muzzy hid leaned her "blggent boy," and It told all about "BllllamV farm that ho was running scientifically. It told about the houe he, was building for Aunt Muzry and the children, and It said he cond hard

!y Aimer the car beside him tearing toward the depot The train was on time and they parted.. He had not said a word. All tho wivT back to the city Lydia moaned, "I'm a fool a fool! And I wish I wae dead." A week later, as she sat mending z. pair of stocking la her own room, thv was called down to seo a visitor In the parlor. The visitor was Kent Carev. "Lydia," he said he held her hands and looked Into her eyeF "I've comt to make you a long delayed proposal." "You better not," Lydia managed to say. But she knew that her trembling hands belied the words. "I Intended to ask you four years ago," he went on, quietly, "after your loss, but Charmlan advised me not to. She said you had told her that you preferred your liberty to a husband. I was chagrined, for I had thought different. I've thought of nothing but you for four years, and when I felt I couldn't live without you any longer I asked Charmlan to Invite roe to her house and send for you " A long time after Lydia murmured as her head lay on his shoulder: "But you se I put nearly all the money I have In the world into those clothes you saw me wearing at Charmlan's. By Elsie "I thought you were never coming!" he exclaimed. "I haven't any right to ask It, so late, but I wonder whether you would come to dinner with mo? My car's outside." There was the limousine with the chauffeur. Elsie got In. without speaking. But later, as tttj sat at a table la a great restaurant, Aldea said something, something that brought a tremor to her lips and a sudden flush to her cheeks. "I don't think I should Aldea. I'm not your kind. You seo you never told me. and I didn't know until today how rich you were, I'm not like the girl you were with this noon." "That girl? Oh, that's my cousin Nan. She was helping me to select this ring. And don't you see, darling, that the reason I didn't tell you was Just because because I wanted to be your kind of man, the kind who is fond of outdoor things, and simple honest pleasure? I aever thoug-t to tell you at first, sxd then " "Can we live la the country?" asked Elsie as he slipped the ring on her ng?r. The Farmsfs TTIfe, Farmer (to medical man) If you go out my way any time, doctor, I vriih you'd stop and sc; my rife. I thir.k the ain't feeling well. Doctor What makes you think so? Farmer Weil, this raoraln', after shs

ly xrit to Sfva them all ain. Then, when every body e lie wu 'shouting and laughing, big tears filled Aunt Muxiya blue eyes and splashes and tumbled over each other ia the most riotous fashion. But when the children gathered around her In dismay, her brave smll forcod Its may out 3Jn and she told them she wa not ssd, but. "oh, so glad about her beautiful family." Thn they all Joined hands and danced gleefully aronrl her thrve. times, which evrjhcdy knows Is a wonderful charm ablest future urhapplaes-F. a Bills AI?o Arrive Promptly. Somo of our letters go a'ray ;.n tie mails, but nothing happened to our income tax Mank. It ca:nr a? stral-L as an arrow and with th swiftue. .? the asle.

-0 3fnst fenn Our Conrrsnit-i'. Some mea travel on a single uu:k so long they dont kacw what they're up against when the swtTch trjdden! throws thrm out on the rat'n line. r, 2foia! for (he Sorriltown Mau. Ccnway County Unit "Wo met a Morriltown irxn who raid he didn't advertise because eve-ryor know when his store Is. Everybody know where th cemetery If, too, but thty don't go there." Antfoony I I'm more badly off than Cinderella after the ball." Kent iausbid rayly. "I knew it! Sweetheart, I'm not much of a priiion. but such as I am, I'm youfs. AM hrretiftrr you can dispense with the fairy godmother," be promised. a Another lliitX The tcngue is mightier than ?h sword when it cemfs to cutting remarks. Social Durücity. "Is your sister in, Bobbr?" "flbe's both in and out." "Both in and out. How can that "It depends on who calls." Os thAlly. Mrs. Eie So you hired a new coox yesterday. What's her name? Mrs. Wye Her name? I don't know. She didn't stay long enough for us to learn that. Well, He's Trying To. If Mra. Wilson go back with Mr. Wilson there will be t lot of fcatrful people in this country who will hnig and smirk and Bay he can't leso her. I. Endicott A had milked the cows, an' fed the p.'g, an' got breakfast fcr the men, an' washed the dishes, an' built a fire under the copper in the wash'oue, an' done a few odd jobs -bout the house, jh; complained o' feelin' tired-Uke. I fancy she need a dose o' medicine. D rTlse Chili. Litt! Ann! had been baring trouble with her lessos, and had turned for acntsxance to her big trotter. He did the sums for her, handed her tht paper, and resumed fcts reading. Shs was soon back at his s!de. hon ever, and he inquired: "Whafa the matter; aren't they all right?" "Oh. yes, indeed. TLey are erer so nice; but won't you pltaae put a few mistakes in, so that teacher will think i did ur a miliar to Sell. "What ar jou taklnf for jor coidr "ilaite me an offer." a ?f ot a Jim lit, to liLci "Now, Lieutenant Tompkins," e11 th? general, -you have the tattsücn la quarter column, facing routh how would you get it into line, la the Quickest poeaible way, facing northeast ?" "Well, sir," said the lieutenant, after a moment's fruitless consideration, "do you know, that's what I've oftea wondered."

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