Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1907-07-31
MRS.

Sell INSIDE the door, followed by an
ample figure. Eleanor Chase rose
from her rocking-chair, the worried,
almost fretful look, which Of late
had become her habitual expression
and marred an otherwise pretty face,
dispelled for the moment by a smile
of welcome.
Come right In. Mrs. Lincoln" she
said cordially. Il am glad you came
over"
The elderly woman seated herself.
Excuse my fancy-work," she
smiled, drawing O. well-worn stocking
from bag Of ample dimensions. 81
could not have come unless l had
brought It,"
Her hostess sighed.
Mrs. Lincoln was holding her head
on one side contemplating hole, with
q look of com.cal despair.
Eleanor ChaSe glanced at her.
You take everything so cheerful"
she said somewhat wistfully. Little
things don't seem to wear upon you
and make you nervous, as they do me-
think you must have been intended
Tor motherhood. / sometimes doubt
whether l am"
My dear" Mrs Lincoln laid down
her stocking and looked fixedly at her
complimentary woman was in
tetnded for motherhood; make no mis-
take about that. People may ad-
vance all the new-fangled theories
they like. about higher vocations.'
There is no higher vocation than that
for which the Lord himself formed
u.s."
The two women sewed for some
time in silence. They had been near
neighbors for ten years, ever since
Mrs. Chase as pretty bride had
come to live in Pineville and had
reached that stage of pleasant init
macy where speech is not always nee
essary.
Il had letter from my sister. Mrs.
Van Dusen this morning." Mrs. Chase
remarked after awhile-she was fond
OF quoting her sister Mrs. Van Du-
sen. who had married a wealthy bank
er, many years her senior, and was
now widow, moving in the most
exclusive circles of a conservative
New England city-"she wants me to
go and spend a week with her. but
OF course that is out of the cues
ton"
Why?" Mrs. Lincoln asked.
"Oh, l couldn't take the children.
and what would they do without their
Mummy Dee as ENeline calls me-"
Eveline was four, aud the baby of
the family.
Now, look here, Mrs. Chase" the
neighbor laid down her work and
spoke emphatically-"a vacation is
just exactly what you need. You are
tired, and matters seem all awry TO
you. A week with your sister will be
an entire change and you will look
at things with widely different eyes
when you return. Mr.. Chase can get
his meals down town, and | will take
Eveline right over to my house. see
that Elsie and Alan have enough to
eat and keep an eye on them out of
school hours. l can run over here
at bedtime. too, and see that they are
ali right"
"Oh, couldn't think of allowing
you to do all that" Mrs Chase had
dropped her sewing also. A faint
pink flush came into her cheeks and
her eyes shone.
Don't you worry" the neighbor
said comfortably, "a child or two
more or less never yet faxed me-"
Twenty-four hours later Eveline's
Mummy Dee" stood arrayed in a
smart travelling suit. hastily pur-
chased for the occasion, her prettiest
clothes packed and already on their
way to the railway station.
Once on the train her mind reach.
ed out toward the alluring prospect
ahead. A week, whole week of
freedom from petty household cares
with no concern about meals excent
10 SIT down to an eNquisitely appoint
ed table and the privilege OF mingling
with her sisters cultured friends.
Mrs. Van Dusen met her at tho
depot. She was a tall distinguished
looking woman, whose whole appear.
ance spoke of good taste and the now.
er 10 indulge 1T. Eleanor leaned back
against the luxurious cushions of
the carriage, a sense OF pIeasurabIe
excitement growing upon her. as they
were driving home.
The round table was exouisite vttb
It's rare china, cut glass and damask
There was no small, irresponsible
hand here to reach ont with aimless
grasp and upset the cream. Mrs
Van Dusen had no children A ao,,.
booted maid waited upon them. antici-
pating every want.
Afterwards they retired to the own
particular sanctum OF the bostess
but once ensconced there Eleanor did
not find that the ball OF conversatio,
rolled as easily as she bsd expected
The sisters paths in life had run in
such different directions. they had de.
veloped along such widely different
lines in the last few years. that the
only common prOund ttpor ...tf-t q.