The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1905-11-30

Mother, dearest mother, you make
me feel so utterly selfish. you who
made me whatever 1 am, who gave the
best there was in you for me, to see
you make such fuss over little gift.
l ought to have done so much more. l
ought to have gone to work for you
years ago. And l ought not
Again that conscious look, that sud
den catch in the voice, and she handed
her mother another bundle, from which
tumbled gown Of sheer white lawn
trimmed with delicate lace.
"Ihe very thing for you to wear to
the celebration tomorrow with your ia
Their" exclaimed Mrs. Grimes. unmind
full Of her own disappointment.
A quizzical smile played about Efiie's
lips, and she stroked the white gown
lovingly.
do you think there is any celebra-
ton worthy Of this dress? Besides. I'm
not going to Chadron. | hate speeches
and fireworks" And the two women
went downstairs arm in arm.
1t was not until bedtime that David
Grimes preached the subject Of the
celebration. His wife had been called
to the bedside of Il sick neighbOr. and
he sat alone with Etfie on the porch.
You'd better take the 8 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 prom
Used Brooks n ride with me. and I'll
need him to pull strings with Smythe.
It's going to be a great day with me.
Efiie'
Il hope so, father" said the girl
smoothly, "but l don't care to go.
Mother will be lonely here, and l shall
stay with her"
Then, as il the matter were closed,
she rose and walked deliberately in the
direction her mother had taken. For a
moment David Grimes sat as one stun
ned: 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 AMI w.. we
Independence. He would have IL set.
Ting with this high handed young NO.
man. but not tonight. He must re,
serve his energy, his diplomacy. his
voice, for the morrow There was much
at stake on the morrow.
A narrow trail of white dust against
q cloudless blue sky was all that told
Of the departure of David Grimes for
A. I, al tnL t,.;,, Il,
Arrayed in broadcloth and linen, respec-
lively brushed and Numbered by Man
dy's hands and carefully hidden by q
long linen buster, he had climbed into
the best buggy, which had been led to
the gate by the discOnsoiate Jimmy.
The latter, barred from both celebra
ton and circus, felt his patriotism
oozing rapidly from his grimy finger
tips. Effie laid caressng hand Oh his
shoulder and said:
"Well, Jimmy, guess it is just about
time for our celebration to begin"
Something hard and shiny slid into his
hand. Jimmy gasped Never before
had be owned a whole dollar. For the
circus, part Of it. dearie. and the rest
for cannon firecrackers. Be sure YOU
get an extra large one and shoot it
for me- You know I'm afraid to touch
it Off myself"
And with Il smile the girl drew her
mothers arm through her own and
started back toward the house. Mrs.
Grimes protested feebly against the ex-
travagance, but Etiie laid loving hand
over her mothers lips.
II must-I must do something per-
fectly wild. am 80 happy"
But there was suggestion of tears
in her voice. and her hands this morn
ing We're not cool and firm, but hot and
trembling. Mandy turned anxious eyes
on her tirstborn.
"Efiie, you amt acted natural since
you come home. What's on your
mind?"
"You, just now" came the quick re-
spouse. II don't like to be selfish, but