The new enterprise. (Madison, Fla.) 1901-1908, 1907-09-12

cassee some sweet potatoes-and Gus
tard pie! How Bonnie will enjoy that
II only Harriet doesn't come till get
dinner ready Oh, how happy am
Dirt and disorder speedily vanished be-
fore the determined onslaught OF the
energetic worker.
"of course ! shall scrub" she said
to herself. 1T won't hurt me bit
Harriet will never find It out-nobody
win know It but me unless Bridget
should discover It, and I'll ask her to
keep quiet. I'm going to do 1t so
that's all there Is to say" and Mrs.
Dinsmore nodded defiance to her
thoughts.
It so happened that Mrs. Harriet at
ter arriving at the Womans club, had
stepped to the telephone and held
brief conversation with her husband.
Benjamin, can't you go home a little
early? | shall be detained here till
after six and there is no one in the
house with your mother except Bridget.
| fancied she looked a little pale and
out Of condition this morning"
SO 1t came to pass that the busy man
of AFFAIRS tapped at his mothers door
little later. Receiving no response
he entered the apartment to find 1t
empty, and no answer came to his call
as he passed from room to room, thor
oughly alarmed at last but finding no
trace Of her presence
Maybe Bridget would know, so down
the back stairs he plunged two steps
at time to stand transfxed at their
foot. In little sea OF soapsuds stood
the culprit a wide stretch Of white
shining floor between herself and her
discoverer, and a narrow strip Of
grimy boards behind her awaiting her
attention. Her white hair waved about
her pink face, her tidy skirts pinned up
from the prunella CATERS a mop-cloth
in her hands and a snatch OF song ar
rested on her lips.
Mother"
"Bennie!"
The ordinations were simultaneous,
as the mop fell splashing to the floor!
What does this mean?' asked Mr.
Dinsmore, very gently, because visions
OF insanity foated through his fright
ened brain.
ooh, Bonnie, don't scold. was so
homesick for something to do, and
Bridget had to go to her brother, and
wanted to, and l was going to sur
prise you with some Of my stewed
chicken and dumplings like used to
make you. I've enjoyed every minute
Of II, and, Bonnie, I'm ten years young
er for it. I've wanted II so-oh, more
than can tell-lt makes me very I'M
happy to be idle and useless, darling"
The man sat Imply down in the
nearest chair. His mother homesick
and unhappy in his house where he
had meant she should. be SO happy
Hasn't everybody been good to your"
he demanded fercely.
ooh, yes, dear, too good. haven't
a fault TO find--Harrlet is beyond re-
proach. It is only my own unreason-
lbleness-but can't make you under
stand" The happy light had died out
II the sweet old face and Bonnie strobe
straight into the sea of suds to clasp
MS arms about his mother, and say,
You needn't try to make me under
stand. You are to do what makes you
iappiest in this house, whether it's
riding in aitships or scrubbing floors.
We wanted to do the best for you, and
II we've made mistakes all you have to
do is to teach us better. Don't cry,
sweetest mother in all the
world. Go on with your scrubbing,
dear, or you won't get done in time
to make my yellow gravy"
So Bonnie peeled potatoes while his
mother rolled pie crust and they lived
over old times to their hearts content.
Mr.. DiDsmore met his wife at the
parlor door little later and drew her
into the parlor where a quiet CONVEX
sation was held while Grandmother
somewhat neryously dished up the din
ner. And afterward Harriet found no
fault-expressed no surprise-instead
she praised everything in sight.
That dinner was an undeniable sue
cess and Bonnie ate as he hadn't eat
en- in years. Afterward he and moth
er washed and wiped the dlshes-Ben-
ME with the big brown apron aied
about his portly Nashville Harriet
brushed the dining room and set the
table for breakfast. Then they all
played dominoes in the big pleasant
sitting room and nobody once said.
Mother. hadn't you better retire2"
Bridget was back at her post with
the early morning, overwhelmed with
gratitude to Mrs. Dinsmore, and over
ioyed to report Mike as mot so bad