The Jasper news. [volume] (Jasper, Missouri) 1898-1924, 1908-02-27

newspaper, with sudden exclamation
that caused Martha Jane to jump up
from her seat at the breakfast table
and run around to her quickly.
Whats the matter, mother?" she
cried, anxiously. Are you ill.,"
Granny disliked to be ailing or to
have anybody think she was Ill. She
sat up straight again-perfectly
straight-and looked at Martha Jane
severely. t
"I'm never Ill, Martha Jane," she
said stiff1y.
well. what's the matter, then?"
said the daughter. still more anx.
iously. A
When mother gives way even for
a minute."- she told her husband aft
erward, there's sure to be something
dreadfully out Of kilter!'
Her mother stared straight ahead
and did not answer for full minute.
Then she said In, a voice which she
vainly tried to make firm:
"The water has broken through Into
the Santa Rosita mines.
ooh, my sakes!" cried Martha Jane,
picking up the paper with trembling
hands.
For years granny's small savings
had been invested in the Santa Ros-
ita coal mine, and though her invest.
ment did not bring her fortune, there
was enough to clothe her, pay
her board, and give her little spend
ing money. And now it was all gone.
swept away by that awful wave that
had carried death and destruction into
the mine, and granny could be inde-
pendent no more. Martha Jane looked
the paper all through to see II the
report had not been contradicted; but
no, there 1t was in black and white.
For day or two granny was lib
tie more quiet and thoughtful, though
she appeared as cheerful as ever. Her
beautiful old face had lost Its faint
color, but it was just as sweet. and
the paleness only set off its wonder
full clearness and delicacy.
Eleanor Rossman openly comment.
ed on 1t when she ran in to ask Mat
tie Folsom, Martha James Oldest
daughter, to walk down to the Bowl
ing club with her that evening.
MRS. Benton" she said, 81 wish you
would tell me what you do to keep
such wonderful complexion at your
age. 1t must run In your family,
for Mrs. Folsom and Matte, too, have
the same beautiful skin. and such Won
derful coloring. No, I'm not fiatter.
ing bit, Matte We girls have al.
ways admired your complexion and
I've been trying to get up courage to
ask you what cosmetics you use."
Matte laughed outright.
Cosmetics" she cried. "Why, /
never used such a thing in my life.
Granny always says, clear water and
fresh air are the only cosmetics girl
needs"
| But surely, Mrs. Benton" said Ell.
eanor incredulously, "you must use
something to keep such wonderful
complexion at your age"
Granny opened her mouth to speak,
and Eleanor added quickly:
Don't think / want to coax any
secrets away from you. Mrs. Ben.
son. But just look at my skin
| coarse and rough as a nutmeg crater,
and the more cosmetics l use the
worse it gets. Why, mamma was
speaking about 1t the other day, and
she said she'd give hundred dollars
to find out what made you three WON
en- have such beautiful compilations. :"
Granny tried two or three times to
speak At last she said timidly:
| Miss Rossmore, do you think your
mother would be willing to let you
come to me every day for luncheon
and-and-pay-a-little for my treat.
ment"
"Ob, know she would, Mrs. Ben.
ton" cried Eleanor, positively. "Tll
tell her about 1t this very day. Good
by, Matte"
The next morning granny received
a note from Mrs. Rossmore, and that
afternoon from six other ladies of her
acquaintance. all eager to put their
daughters under her care.
| When the Girls arrived they looked
curiously at the table, which was dain
| tily set In the old-fashioned way with
the entire meal placed ON 1t at once
Granny looked the ideal hostess oil
colonial days as she sat at the head