Abilene weekly reflector., 1907-10-24

4 Y
ample figure. Eleanor Chase, rose
from her rocking chair, the worried,
almost fretfui look. which Of late
had become her habitual expression
and marred an otherwise pretty face,
dispelled for the moment by q 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 q bag Of ample dimensions. !
could not have come unless had
brought It."
Her hostess sighed.
Mrs. Lincoln was holding her head
on one side contemplating q hole. with
. look Of comical despair.
Eleanor Chase glanced at her.
"You take everything 50 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
for motherhood. ! sometimes doubt
whether l am"
my dear" Mrs. Lincoln laid down
her stocking and looked fxedly at her
companion 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"
The two women sewed for some
time in silence. They had been near
neiehbors for ten years, ever since
Mrss Chase as q pretty bride had
come to live in Pineville, and had
reached that stage Of pleasant inti-
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.
or. many years her senior. and was
now widow, moving In the most
exclusive circles Of conservative.
New England city-"she wants me to
70 and spend a week with her, but
Of course that is out Of the Ques-
ti9p."
"Why?" Mrs. Lincoln asked.
"oh, couldn't take the children,
and what would they do without their
Mummy Dee,' as Eyeline calls mei
EvelIne was four, and the baby Of
the family.
Now, look here, Mrs. Chase" the
neighbor laid down her work and
spoke emphatically-"a vacation ID
Just exactly what you need. Ycuare
tired, and matters seem all Gwry to
you. A week with your sister viii be
an entire change and you win look
at things with widely different eyes
whom you return. Mr. Chase can get
his meals down town, and ! viii take
EveIine right over to my house. see
that Ellie and Alan have enough to
eat and keep an eye on them out Of
school hours. can run over here
at bedtime. too. and see that they are
ali right"
ION, couldn't think Of allowing
you 10 do all thatI" Mrs Chase had
dropped her sewing also A faint
pink Gush came into her cheeks and
her eyes shone.
Don't you worry" the neighbof
said comfortably, - child or two
more or less never yet faxed me-"
TWenty-four hours later Evellne's
Mummy Dee stood Arrayed in .
smart travelling suit, hastily pur
chased for the occasion, her prettieIt
clothes packed and already on their
way to the railway station.
Once on the train her mind reach
ed out toward the ailuring prospect
ahead. A week, q whole week Of
freedom from petty household cares,
with no concern about meals except
to sit down to an eHquisitely appoint
ed table and the privilege Of mingling
with her sisters cultured friends.
Mrs. Van Dusen met her ct the
depot She was tan distinguished
looking woman, whose whole appear
ance spoke Of good taste and the pow
er to indulge It Eleanor leaned back
against the luxurious cushions Of
the carriage. a sense Of pleasurabls
excitement growing upon Der, Is they
were driving home.
The round table was exquisite With
lta rare china. cut glass and dsmaak-
There vas no small. irresponsible
hand here to reach out with aimleas
grazp and upset the cream NFa.
van Dusen had no children. A sofi-
booted maid waited upon them. anticf
pating every want
Afierunrd1 thay retired 70 he own
particular rnnctum ol The he1ts1r,
huf onoa an1ctneol thcro Elsan1r ald
rot nnd hat ne ha1 of -conrrl ati1n
-.IInt - arnIIn - ahr hnT - .,..I1r