The free press. (Poplarville, Miss.) 1890-19??, 1901-05-16

Ured by a scowl.
It's always so Just as sure as
have a chance for a good time, some
obstacle arises to prevent it. Howard
has a pass for me, and my trip south
wouldn't cost me a cent, II only /
had something decent to wear
Mrs. Turner dropped her work and
sighed
1T does seem hard, Jack. but / real
ly don't see how to help it. If We
should buy you a summer suit now
you'd have to wear your old suit again
next winter, you know" she said plain
lively.
"Oh, l known that well enough,
mother, so it isn't worth while talk
ing about it. 1t seems to me I've
heard of nothing but poverty all my
life. We're so poor, Jobs turkey
wouldn't associate with US, he said,
savagely. then stalked from the room
with the air of martyr
His sister Doris went OF darning
steadily for awhile.
I'm ever so sorry for poor Jack"
she said at last, a suspicion of tears
In her voice. q wish ! could help
him some way. but I'm afraid l cant
manufacture a suit of clothes for him.
| really do believe I could make him
coat and vest, though, if only l had
the material. You know ! am an ex-
pert maker of pockets and buttonholes,
and you often say my pressing is
equal to a tailors."
Mrs. Turner's face frightened.
Yes, you are splendid at that kind
of thing, Doris. | think it is a gift
or perhaps it is only a delicate touch,
a true eye, and unlimited patience.
Whatever the quality may be, | know
] do not possess it. Jack would never
wear coat made by his mother" and
she laughed softly at the idea
Suppose he had coat and vest,
mother, has he any trousers fit to
wear SOUTH" asked Doris
yes; those dark gray ones could
be sponged and pressed till they'd
look as good as new
Doris put down her darning, ran up
stairs and returned in a moment with
the full skirt of black gown on her
arm. Her face was radiant
Jack can go, mother. l can get
coat and vest out Of this gown, with
careful cutting. The material is love
ly, silk and wool, even finer than is
ordinarily used for gentlemen. My
big brother will be quite swell in
It, she said, merrily.
why, Doris, you surely don't intend
to use that good gown in that way?
1t is the only decent one you have for
cool days" demonstrated Mrs. Yu--
ner.
Indeed l do. mother. | can wear
my old brilliantine by freshening 1t UT
with new facing and ribbons, and
dear old Jack shall have his outing"
But Jack will not allow you t.
sacrifice your best dress for him, Do
ris''
Jack will know nothing about it.
/ can easily find out his measures. and
l know where l can get good patterns.
II he asks questions, III evade them
so skilfully he'll think we've had
sudden streak of good luck" the girl
said, gayly.
But 1t doesn't seem fair, Doris. If
Jack would give up smoking, he could
soon save money enough to buy his
clothes himself" Mrs. Turner protest
ed.
Now, mother dear. don't you fret
about your daughter. I'll have such
jolly times, and chatter and beam and
smile upon people so broadly that
they'll forget to notice my shabby at
tire. OF course, Jack ought to be
ashamed of himself for wasting money
on such an expensive and filthy habit;
but | hope yet to some day coax him
to stop it." And full of her generous
purpose, Doris tripped up stairs to
begin her loving work.
Soon afterward, Mrs. Turner went
into the kitchen to see about dinner,
utterly unconscious that her guest.
Howard Halliday. was lying upon the
couch in the parlor, where he had gone
an hour before with a severe head
ache. He certainly had not intended
listening; but it had happened so
quickly he had not had time to make
his presence known. He was not very
penitent. He felt there could be no
harm in reading another page in a
sweet, unselfish life.
He had begun his acquaintance with
Doris by being amused at her quaint
old-fashioned sincerity; and he had
not been in the house six hours as
Jacks guest, before the young lady
gave his a surprise that made him
very nearly angry.
1t was just after tea, and they had
adjourned to the broad porch to enjoy
the lovely sunset. He had pulled out
his cigar case, and with an air of easy
assurance turned to Doris
You have no objection to my smok-
iIg?"
Indeed l have. I hate tobacco