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

glanced at the mirror opposite. and Il
mist swan before her eyes. Yes, she
was getting old and haggard. II Da-
vid went to Washington, Fife must ac-
company him. Yet it was her own ef-
forts to save, her daily drudgery, that
would provide the means. In vague
way Mandy realized that to the hon
est man politics Is not always prof
table vocation.
Her reverie was interrupted by voices
In the front yard, u girlish treble ask
| ing eager questions, then a boyish fal-
setto exclaiming excitedly:
Say, Fife, won't you give me a
quarter? There's going to be circus
in town tomorrow, and dad says
| can't 90, and he won't take me to
| Chadron nor
The door few open. and Mrs. Grimes,
all a-tremble with mingled delight and
apprehension, drew her daughter in
| side.
"Oh, Eftie dear. it's so good to sec
you! An you're lookin' just fine, not
bit as II you'd been worryin' with
them children through this hot spell.
But what will your father say: Hes
| eXpectin' you to wait over in Chadron
| for the celebration an hear him speak.
He'll be dreadful put out about your
| comm. Dear me, what a lot of bun
dies! I'm 'fraid you've been wastin'
your hard earned money, an your ia
ther won't be pleased ut all"
Tiny lines formed around the girls
mouth. but her voice was gentle.
Lets 90 up to my room, mother,
dear, and we'll open the packages. l
| have so much to tell you"
But once within the shelter OF the
dormer Widowed room Ellie Grimes
turned strangely silent. 1t required
several minutes to remove her hat and
replace the pins at the proper angle.
Then she unpacked her small hand
bag and arranged with elaborate care
her few toilet articles Oh the crocheted
bureau mats. Her mother watched
each move with anxious eyes.
"Efiie," she asked in tremulous tones,
Il hope it amt young jameson Your
father is most eternally set against
him an your havin' anything to do
with him. An you know your father"
| Efiie was hidden In the closet. 1t
! took her some time to find just the
right corner in which to tuck her hand
! bag. When she finally emerged her
face was quite pale. but her voice was
quiet and even.
"Yes, l ought to know father. I've
lived In the same house with him long
enough" Then, seeing that her bitter
tones had brought the old shadow to
her mothers face, she continued gen
Ed mean Mr.. Jameson. l want you
to see the new dress l bought YOU"
The color flew to Mrs. Grimes face
She clasped her hands together nerv-
ously as Efiie united the package. and
proud light shone in her eyes. Effie,
her eldest born, had given first thought
to her, had bought her dress with
the first money she had ever earned
Yet force Of habit prompted the next
words.
"You hadn't ought to, dear, an your
father won't like 1t. He was just say
in this mornin' he expected you'd have
q nice nest egg In the ChadrOn bank.
You know he believes in savin'."
Effie Strengthened up, her eyes blaz-
ing, her face set and determined.
Il haven't saved cent, not cent,
do you understand? And know what
he believes. Heaven knows we've had
his theories drummed into our heads
with breakfast, dinner and supper ever
since l can remember. l have paid my
board, and what was left over was
mine to do with as liked. don't con-
slider that owe my father cent Of 1t.
He brought me into the world, and 1t
was his duty to care for me, yet he be-
grudged every mouthful l ate. He new
er took any interest in me until be-
came a breadwinner-until some one
else saw my worth"
She stopped, Mortified at the white,
buOSACu AdCC VI hCl AuOtuSi. lhCu SLC
flung both arms round the trembling
figure and held the little mother tight.
II don't mean to be wicked, but I
can't help 1t. Only do love you. moth
er, dear, and, oh, l wish l hadn't
She caught her breath and turned
quickly to tear open one OF the pack
ages, from which she took out ready
made dress OF black md white lawn,
trimmed with narrow black lace.
"There 1t is, mother minew
For time the elder woman sat al.
lently picking at the narrow edging
which had become crumpled in carry
Ing. Her touch was almost reverent.
1t had been so many years since she
had owned whole new dress. Then
two great tears of Joy splashed on the
Insertion which crisscrossed the front
Of the waist.
"Oh, Effie, how did you know I'd
dreamed Of havin' dress like this ev
cry summer for five years? But I'm
afraid you spent too much for it. That
lace cost dollar bolt II 1t cost cent.
Then there was the maxim"
Two COOL firm hands crew away the
dress, and Effie-tall, self contained Ell.
he-slipped into her mothers arms and
CLAIMED hOfh IN nda a h,v< ~. ,,noS