Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1908-11-26
CHAPTER xxv.-continued.

"She's had time, then, to learn your
good heart. If she hasn't, she de-
serves no sympathy"
Sally B. smiled broadly. "You tuck
took in the blarney stone on your
tower, didn't you? What a plaguy
shame we couldn't have lowered to-
gether!"
THAT would have been nice. Did
you enjoy your t~ravel?"
"Fine!" the other answered quickly;
yet a detected note crept into her next
words. Il enjoyed it all right; but
it didn't pay-not Bill an me. We're
too old, and didn't have no-any fit
~cultiVating for such a crop, But it
paid for VII" she said exultingly. "She's
come out just a little queen, vi has.
She fits all this fine stuff" Sally BIS
sweep of arm included the whole mag
nificent villa. AN her paws that
proud Of her!"
Esther smiled alphabetically. "Tell
me about your home, Mrs. Sally. How
do you like it,"
ooh, it's pay rock, sure; a thousand
dollars to the ton. But some way, I
like it better when I'm tellin' about it,
or shown it off, than l do just Twin
in it. You know, 1 amt used to bein'
waited on-not ~personal-but I'm go
ing to get used to it for Wis sake;
style, furrin servants-got five kinds,
seven courses, church people-the hull
hog!"
did you get the place already
equipped"
Law me, yes. Furniture, horses,
coachman, an monogram. They left
a cook, too, a Frenchy; but I bounced
him, fly, fly; an Vic. Wah hangs up in
the kitchen now. Gosh! / Say! I'm
just going to take a vacation from
grammar while you're here; it's too
lhamperin'. No use shown off to you,
Stel-Esther; you know me from shoe
Ito bonnet, anyhow"
II don't love you for your gram
mar, good or bad, but for--I won't risk
another reference TOTO my travel in
Ireland. How's Vic Wah?"
Proud of the place as if he owned
1t. Come! I'll show you everything;
him an the kitchen with the rest"
She led the way, trailing her black
skirts over the rich carpets from room
to room, holding her head high and
showing off her possessions with
pleased pride. The house was large
and in perfect taste. The former own.
ers had failed suddenly and sold to the
first bidder, walking out with only
their clothing. The two women halted
in the library; and Esther looked GU
riously along the rows Of books, most
of them standard authors, and bound
to order, with the owners monogram
on the cover. She wondered what part
they played in Sally BIS present life.
Have you read any of them?" she
asked, glancing at the shelves.
A tired look crept into Sally BIS
face. I've got to the sixth book on
the fourth row from the top. l reckon
it'll take about two year--years. vi
likes 'em, but / dont-leastways, not
much Of It,"
Esther refrained from comment,
though her heart ached for the heroic
woman. ITS too bad about the mono
gram. L. BIS so near right"
TITS just right! I've took-taken
maw's name, Lang. See here!" She
crossed the room and brought cards
from the desk. They were in the ex.
tremest style, and read, MRS. Lang.
Bernard. Lake View. First Thurs
day"
Think O Sally B. bein' that big a
fool! But that's what you got to do
If you want to git-get up; an that's
where I'm bound, to the very top
notch! OF course, I don't b'long there,
but vi does, an I'm going to boost her
If money an work IAN do It," She was
leading the way to the ballroom at the
top OF the house, a beautiful, spacious
apartment overlooking Lake Merritt
and the Berkeley hills.
I'm sure you're succeeding" Esther
said as they sat near an open window.