Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-07-05

of havin' a dress like this every summer
for five years? But I'm afraid you spent
too much for 1t. That lace cost a dollar a
bolt If it cost a cent. Then there was the
maxim
Two cool firm hands drew away the
dress, and Effie, tail, self-contained Efie
slipped into her mothers arms and clasped
both hands about her neck.
Mother, dearest mother you make me
| feel so utterly seifish-you who made me
whatever l am-who gave the best there
was in You for me. TO see you make such
fuss over little gift. | ought to have
| done so much more. | ought to have gone
to work for You years ago. And 1 ought
| not"
Again that conscious look, that sudden
catch in the voice, and she handed her
mother another bundle. from which tum-
bled a gown of sheer white lawn, trimmed
with delicate lace.
The very thing for you to wear to the
celebration tomorrow with your father"
exclaimed Mrs. Grimes unmindful of her
own disappointment.
A quizzical smile played about Effie's lips
and she stroked the white gown lovingly
DO You think there is any celebration
worthy of this dress? Besides, I'm not CO.
ing to Chadron. L hate speeches and fire
works And the two women went down
stairs arm in arm.
1t was not until bedtime that David
Grimes preached the subject of the cele-
bration. His wife had been called to the
| bedside of a sick neighbor, and he sat
alone with Effie on the porch.
~ Ou'd better take the o'clock train for
| Chadron tomorrow. l want you to be on
hand for the exercises. but you can't go
over in the buggy I've promised Brooks a
ride with me. and I'll need him to pull
strings with Smythe. It's going to be a
great day with me, Effie.
Il hope So father" said the girl smooth
ly. but | don't care to go. Mother VIII be
lonely here and l shall stay with her"
Then as if the matter were closed she
rose and walked dc he tel IN, tIa
ton her mother had taken. For a mo-
ment David Grimes sat as one stunned
then there rushed into his mind the dozen
or more effective answers which he should
have made to this open rebellion So much
for letting ones children leave home and
achleEe independence He would have a
settling with this high-handed young wo-
mdn-but not tonight. He must reserve his
energy, his diplomacy. his voice for the
morrow. There was much at stake on the
morrow.
A narrow trail of white dust against
cloudiess blue sky was all that told of tho
departure of David Grimes for the scene
Of his anticipated tr;umphs. Arrayed in
proadcloth and linen, respectively brushed
and Numbered by Mandy's hands and care
FULLY hidden by long linen duster he had
climbed into the best buggy which had
| been led to the gate by the disconsolate
| Jimmy The latter, barred from both Gel
ebration and circus, felt his patriotism
oozing rapidly from his grimy finger fins
Effie laid caressing hand on his shoulder
and said:
Well Jimmy. I guess it is lust abont
time for our celebration to begin" Some
! thing hard and shiny slid into his hand
Jimmy gasped. Never before had he owned
whole dollar. For the circus. mart of it
! dearie, and the rest for cannon firecrack
ers- be sure you get an extra large ono
and shoot 1t for me- You know I'm afra ia
| to touch it off myself"
And with a smile the girl drew ber
mother arm through her own and started
! back toward the house Mrs Grimes nro
| tested feebly against the extravapance
| but Efhe laid loving hand over her moth
| er's lips
II must-I must do something perfectly
| wild. l am so happy"
But there was a suggestion of tears in
/ her voice, and her hands this morning were
! nor cooi and 1rm. but hot and trembling
Mandy turned anxious eyes on her first
born. "
'Effie. YOU amt acted natural since YOU
| come home. What's on your mind?"
You just knc<y." came the quick re-
! Spouse. Il don't like to be selfish, but T
am 50 giad you did not go with father to
! the celebration. for-for you see, mother
| dear, l am going to be married today ard
| II would be hard not to have you at the
CEREMONY ~
| They had reached the house by this time
| and Mrs Grimes dropped weakly into the
| nearest chair. Etfie knelt beside her
| on mustn't blame me too much for not
| telling you before, but / was afraid father
/ would find out. He would never give his
| consent to my marrying Ed There is
| nothing but political ill-feeling on his part.
| for Ed Jameson hasn't another enemy in
the world; only father is afraid of him,
/ afraid of Eds power in politics We love
| each other, and I want home. a real
| home, not an abiding place Oh. I don't
mean 10 hurt you, but yiu must under