Middletown transcript., 1907-04-20
THE INITIATION OF FLORENCE
By ROSE WILLIS JOHNSON

Mr.. Domley paused a moment,
fork in hand. Rene smiled across
at her brother.
Twenty-one /. she exclaimed.
Ben voter! I'll give dinner
in honor of the event. Consider
invited, all of you.
AS Domley left the room that
evening he turned grufiy to his
elder son. We won't work to-
morrow, he said. I'm going to
mill, You can knock around.
1t was lengthy speech for him,
and a gracious one. Ben felt the
compliment. All right, be said,
in almost his fathers way. I'm
not sorry.
Tom was moi so reticent. The
promise Of a days rest and an
old time dinner warmed his blood.
Help Rene clean up, he whis-
pered to Florence, as he lighted
his stub of candle at the log. I'm
going to ask some fellows home
to dinner. Have something de-
cent to eat.
With the first light Florence
shivered into her clothes. 1t was
Saturday, and Ben's birthday.
There was much to do which
must be done well.
So well was it done that by
nine o'clock the house reflected
wonderful luster.
Rene was at the mirror when
Florence came siding in
Flo, the elder sister called,
pleasantly, If you'll do something
for me I'll give you dime! There
is plenty of bread and butter,
milk and cheese, and there are
three pumpkin pies. Father'll
be out late, and no telling when
the boys will get in. When they
come set out their dinner, and
you shall have the dime
Slow dismay usurped the bust
ling cheerfulness of the child's
face. Where are you going f? she
demanded.
To the church. Tessie and l.
But Ben? Florence interrupted,
breathlessly. It's Ben's birth
day! And you said
o hush =! Rene gave her hair a
vicious twist, and jabbed IN a
hairpin. Ben won't be in before
night. I'll get him a good din
ner tomorrow A.; perhaps I'll in
vite the minister over. | have
to go to, day; I'm on the flower
committee. You'll do all right.
If you're lonesome haze Ida Bar
ton come over.
=
| don't want Ida Barton, and
you're too mean to live! Florence
choked. You are! I'm not 60
ing to your old church again
see if 1 do! You told Ben
Now, that will do! Rene in,
serted the last pin, and took a
critical survey Of herself. I'm
not Ben's slave, nor yours. You
will do what / say. With Rover
here there is nothing to be
afraid of.
I'm afraid of nothing but mean,
ness! Florence stormed. But
words failed. She turned and
fed, banging the door in a way
to make the toilet articles jump
in astonishment.
Spitfre ! Rene commented, PIN
ming on her hat. She's dreadful
I don't know what is to become
of her ] must hurry. l won
der if Mr.. Morgie will be there
to help US
When the storm was over Flor
ence came back to the deserted
kitchen. It was nearly ten by
the fat Dutch clock in the corner.
The kettle simmered very in.
vitingly, and an expectant ali
pervaded the place. Florence's s
face wore look Differentiation
Ben is going to have his birth.
day dinner, she announced to the
clock. You needn't look blank
and cross your hands. I'm going
to cook it myself
1t was very cold. There was
nothing to save the Faster prom
ise from the sword of the frost.
FIorence's pets, the barn-yard
fowls, huddled together in sunny
corners, looking frowsy and wind
blown. She went out among
them, pan in hand, her ears ting
ling. She was Judas she
meant to betrat.
They knew no fear of her. She
picked up young cochin, who
merely reached round in an efforl
to secure the corn in her hand.
Oh, you poor thing she whim
pered, feeding him. | haze tc
have you-for Ben. L won'
hurt bat a minute. / know tht
ak is sharp-oh