The Prescott daily news., 1909-06-24

no additions. The dresser scarf was only hemstitched scrim. and the bed spread, though dainty, was of flow cred silkoline that Betty knew in her soul had been picked up for a few cents yard.
 Still dazed. she followed her hostess back into the little parlor. In spite of its smallness it looked bare. Not q superfluous article adorned Its walls The mantel boasted single ornament "a jar of quaint pottery. The books on the table. however, were plentiful The single small rug on the waxed floor was an oriental. Through the arch the dining room table showed. weathered oak, artistic, but the cheap est of woods.
 Tell me all about yourself, Betty" her hostess was begging.
 For an instant Mrs. Lewis Adelbert Simms groped for words. "Why." she laughed. trihe ruefully, "there isn't anything to tell! just got married and life goes on, and there are lots of parties and dinners and things, and always seem to be in terrible rush, or else Lewis is, and we never have time for anythingv'
 "I see" said her hostess, little quietly, her great eyes taking in the somewhat expressionless face of the other. "Will you excuse me while put lunch on the table-unless you want to come into the kitchen with meT
 She smiled as if giving an Invitation to come into the conservatory. and Betty Simms followed and. sitting on wooden chair, watched Carries delft movement from cupboard to refrigera- tor and to the stove.
 Why" she said involuntarily, you act as if you like doing this, Carrie Peabodyr'
 Carrie paused on her way to the table. "I don't mind" she said. Its only a means to an end. He wants you to take him, Betty"
 Mrs. Simms looked into the face of small Anthony clutching her gown and, lifting him up, was surprised to have him cuddle down contentedly as one used to being held and made much of
 Sub, the woolly dog, followed, and many emotions chased themselves through the head of Mrs. Simms. To her credit, not once did she think of the possible wrinkling and spelling of her gown When before in her life had her arms been full of woolly dog and little boy? It was a new sensation. None of her friends seemed as inti- mately acquainted with their own chil- dren as Carrie was with hers. Never before at luncheon had Mrs. Simms so much as seen child, let alone touch- ed one. Yet somehow Anthony did net seem cut of place here nor in the way. He seemed part of the house hold and to take his place naturally.
 Ii was very simple luncheon, though dainty one. and it tasted amnzingly good to the visitor. who was rather silent She was trying to recon, ile the cheerful face of Carrie Peabody with the account Carrie was giving of her life.
 Tt has been hard on Tom" she was saying. "The company he was with when we married failed, and that end cd putting his invention through And when he did get another place typhoid took him, you know, and it was months-wen We got through some how. I had a few hundreds of my own saved for some emergency, and l concluded the emergency had arrived. And things have kept coming up Toms brothers trouble and then this small boy of ours, and with it all we've been, as 1 wrote you, Betty, poor-very poor"
 'But." said the woman, listening, struggling to adjust the facts before her-"but you seem so happy, Carrie" There was a hint of envy in her tone.
 "Why shouldn't l be-" asked the woman in the blue wash gown. An thony on her knee "Some time it will be better, when Tom gets a firm hold on things And l have him and Anthony, and we all care truly about each other, and because we aren't rich enough to go outside to find distraction and amusement we've learned to de pend on each other, and we're very contented doing it, Betty. We're very happy in this little cheap flat Why. I suppose we're just as happy as you and Lewis, with all your money and what it brings into your lives"
 Across the face of the listening wom- an there was a faraway expression that was tinged with little bitter ness. It was as if she were looking into her mast and Sppinr many tbinoS