The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-02-07

as privilege to be allowed to help on the exquisite materials that Esther had intrusted to her. Some times she went f1rther with her help, and when an or der was completed would say, Now, let's take them where they belong" and side by side the odd pair of friends would trudge on the errand. Esther took these journeys always at night and the money she received she hoarded jealously. Curiosity got the better of Miss Sally's reserve.
 Saving to buy yourself new gowns?'
 No"
 You ought. This old black wrapper of yours is not much for looksw
 No"
 The girl raiiated a suggestion of stubbornness which but in1amed her questioners ingenuity.
 If it's a mo ument to your husband you're going to raise, l call 1t sheer extravaganza. He's got neat nead- store already"
 The girl lifted radiant face.
 Tt is a monument to my husband I intend to raise. if the good God will let me-"
 Shocked at the irreverent n'rpduc- ton of il holy lame, Miss Sally lapsad back Into di71rcet silence. 1t was broken hy Esthei, who pres ,rt went into an irrepressible fit of quiet laugh ter.
 Whats funny about a monniment?" asked Miss Sally, severely showing up her glasses.
 "Oh, nothing. nothing" said the girl. sobering at once. T was just thinking of something else"
 Might as well out with 1t after such a to do.'
 T was thinking that I wont get any help from you on my next order"
 ''Why not?"
 You'll see." And the incomprehensible mirth came on again.
 Don't try to be more of fool than you are. Let's take these things where they belong"
 Esther obediently put on her hat and the two started out, but not before Miss Sally had set their chairs prlmly back against the wall. It might be Esther's room, but it was Miss Sally's house, and in that house unswerveable, awful tidiness reigned. Its orderliness was tomb-like.
 ''I can't draw an easy breath If So much as a pins awry," she would say; and it was easily believeable If ever a woman was cursed with neatness 1t was Sally Galloway. She was too neat to be affec- tionate-affection, properly demonstrated is apt to disorder the hair and make an apron set ''wapple-jawed." She did not believe that cleanliness is next to Godli- ness." She turned the words around. Her one objection to sewing was Its temporary ''messiness." Perhaps that is why she went to Esther's room Instead of inviting Esther to hers for their nightly industry.
 '1s this the order that won't help you on?' she soon had occasion to ask
 This 1t is"
 What's the scrap in your handg
 "A sleeve"
 Great. king. Dolls clothes?"
 You may call them so, if you like" and Esther laughed, but no, Miss Sally it's baby's layette.'
 And do you really think that because I detest nasty, meddling infants, won't admire to sew on such soft white goods as this? Pshaw. Give me needle"
 She enjoyed the work immensely
 'I never had childhood and never had a doll, Esther" she said one evening while the tiny garments progressed, "and do you know what l am thinking as I sew? I pretend l am child and sewing for my big, blue-eyed wax doll. Qhi how I wanted onei How I wanted one," Her voice was rapturously sad and gem tie, and quick tears sprang to Esthers eyes She put out her small hand and stroked Miss Sally's horny one.
 What are you paving for?" Miss Sally jerked her hand out of reach and scratched the offended place.
 But she became all tenderness again as she hemmed tiny ruffles or fashioned wee buttonholes The work lasted for weeks.
 "Esther, wouldn't you kind of like to see these things when theynare put on? Don't you think little face right here and little hands right here would look sort of cunning?"
 "Well see," said Esther, and proceeded