The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1908-10-18

newly acquired acquaintance and who
had once more retired 10 the Ques.
tionable comfort Of the cushion. Then
very gently ahe said.
Don't cry any more, Maggie. I guess
being thrown down ID something most
women have to bear some time In their
lives. II was not d question Of dress
with me, and | am quite sure had
said nothing. We never had word.
he just left town and never even said
goodby.s
Maggie stared at her, speechless with
wonder. Her own troubles were for
gotten. Some man had thrown down"
this radiant creature In soft gray silk
and shimmery plumesl
1--WE are going to my house, Maggie,
and tind dress for you that win quite
outshlne Polly's organdie. because Il
win be much more appropriate, and
then we are going to the picnic and
you are going to mingle with the
young people as II Tom Devery did
not exist, and when he comes to make
up with you. as he surely win, you are
going to meet him halfway. Do you
understand"
Talk about Cinderella and the BALL
Her experiences were as nothing when
compared TO Maggie Connollys trip
that afternoon. The wonderful rows
Of clothes presses which open when
Miss Burgess maid touched a button,
the many linen frocks from which Il
was hard to select just the trimmest
one for Maggie, and then the selection
OF shoes and hats and gloves. for the
two girls were nearly Of one size.
And at last the spin to the beach In
Miss Burgess car, the routing Of Polly
Mcguire and the recapture OF Tom
Deveryl In her excitement Maggie
almost forgot her benefactress.
But Natalie did not forget Maggie
and traced her through the Neighbor-
hood House to her home.
Maggie's Tom had come back, and
Maggie loved the whole world. SO
when Miss Burgess questioned her
about working girls and their priva-
tons Maggie glowed and dilated on
the good the Neighborho0d House had
done them all.
From the Neighhorhood House and
Its privileges it was short step to the
need OF a vacation hotel for girls, and
almost before Maggie knew what hap
pened she and Tom, now her abject
slave, were whirled away one Satur-
day in Miss Burgess machine to look
over a neglected hotel estate in once
fashionable seaside colony.
Natalie Burgess knew the value Of
her money, and she also knew the
value Of shrewd assistant like Mag
gle, who understood girls and their
problems. So it happened that the
Neighborhood House opened a sum
mer annex at West Shore. and Mag
gle Connolly resigned her post at the
factory to become Natalie's represent
atiye in the new establishment.
Natalie Of the Neighborhood House.
her friends called her now and laugh
ed at her caprice. And at the summer
annex Of the Neighborhood House
Thomas Witherspoon Brainard found
her one lovely fall day. shortly after
his return from Vienna. where he had
gone abruptly to complete his medical
studies.
The idea OF Natalie, the self centered.
hobnobbing with factory girls rather
tickled his fancy.
Maggie was packing the summer tit-
tings. Natalie was sitting in an open
window. swinging her trim feet and
laughing at Maggie's enthusiasm. But
she had been helping, too, and her
sleeves we're rolled up. her eyes bright.
her cheeks flushed, as she turned to
meet Bralnard.
Feminine intuition told Maggie that
this was the psychological moment for
her to pack up what few groceries
were left in the storeroom. What hap
pened during her absence is not neces-
sary to set forth here, but as she slip
ped back to remind her patron that
twilight was falling and the car was
waiting to take them back to town she
heard Thomas Witherspoon Brainard
say contritely:
"Can you ever forgive me for imagin-
ing that you were vain, selfish, use
less sort Of doll that could never un-
derstand or help struggling physI-
clan? / don't deserve you, dearest
was thick headed fool"-
Maggie went out on the porch and
sank upon the top step.
Does the man live who throws you
down that can't be won backY she
asked herself happily, for how could
Maggie know that the glorious Natalie
had won happiness through her hum
bIe self?
can an...Lf