The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1909-07-10

woman, flushed from bi~ecult-oakna
and chicken-broiling and almost sick
with fatigue, got out the black silk
gown and the white lace collar and
put them on with trembling hands.
Thus robed in state she descended to
the supper-table, there 10 confront
her husband still more miserable in
the stin collar and black coat.
Nor yet was this all. Neither the
work nor the black silk dress con-
tanned for Mrs. Kelsey quite the pos
sibilities Of soul torture that were to
be found in the words that fell from
her lips. AS the days passed, the
task the little woman had set for her
self became more and more hopeless,
until she scarcely could bring herself
to speak at all, so stumbling and halt
ing were her sentences.
At the end Of the eighth day came
the elimination Of 1t all. Alma, her
nose shifting the air, ran into the kit
chen that night to find no n in the
room, and the biscuits burning In the
oven. She removed the biscuits, threw
wide the doors and windows, the
hurried upstairs to her mothers room
why, mother!"
Mrs. Kelsey stood before the glass.
a deep flush on her cheeks and tears
rolling down her face, Two trem-
bling hands struggled with the lace
at her throat until the sharp point
Of a pin found her thumb and left =
tiny crimson stain on the spotless-
ness Of the collar. It was then that
Mrs. Kelsey covered her face with
her hands and sank into the low chair
by the bed.
why, mother!" cried Alma again.
hurrying across the room and drop
ping on her knees at her mothers
side.
Il can't, Alma, l eant!" moansd
the 1--WE tried an tried; but
I've got ter give up. I've got ter give
up"
Cant what, dearie?-give up
what?" demanded Alma.
Mrs. kelsey shook her head. Then
she dropped her hands and looked
fearfully into her daughters face.
AN yer father. too, Alma-hs's
tired. an he can't" she choked.
Tired what? What do you meanf'
With her eyes on Alma's troubled.
amazed face, Mrs. Kelsey made q
last effort to gain her lost position
She raised shaking hands to her throst
and fumbled for the pin and the col
lar.
: There, there, dear, don't yer fret"
t she stammered. 81 didn't think what
| was sayin'. 1t amt nothin'-I mean
it aren't nothin'-lt am not-oh-h!"
she sobbed; there. ye see, Alma, l
can't. ye see. Alma, l can't, | can't.
1t amt no more use ter tryl" Down
went the gray head on Alma's strong
young shoulder.
d There. there, dear, cry away" com
forted Alma, with loving pats. 1T viii
do you good; then wen hear what
this is all about, from the very be
10 ginning"
s. Aud Mrs. Kelsey told her--end from
IA LAE NUlI UtHllhAnhs WhNA VIZ 49,
g ing was over, and the little woman, q
J. bit breathless and frightened. sat wait
l. ing what Alma would say, there cam
e a long silence.
p Alma's lips we're close shut. Almt
g was not quite sure. II she opened
E. them, whether there would come
laugh or a sob. The laugh was upper
most and almost parted the hrm-se
r lips, when a glance at the quiverinI
Z face Of the little woman in the BIZ
l. chair turned the laugh into a hall
sr stiaed sob. Then Alma spoke,
Mother, listen, dear. Do yo'
le think a silk dress or a stiff collar cal
make you and father any dearer .
ri me? Do you think al amt OF
or 'hain't' can make me love either o
you any less? Do you suppose | 81
10 pect you, after so years service TO
m others. to be as careful In your way
As and words as If you had spent thos
s so years in training yourself instea
of in training six children1 VIII!
mother, dear, do you suppose that
be don't know that for 20 Of those year
you have had nc thoughts, no prayeI
save for me?-thAt l have been IN
"a very apple Of your eye? Well, It
-, my turn, now, and you are the app
" Of my eye-you and father, WI,
dearie, you have no idea Of the plan
az. l have for you. There's a good stron
woman coming next week for u
NJ. kitchen work. oh, It's all right" a
an. sured Alma, quickly, in response
he the look on her mothers face. "Wh,
mi Pm richl Only think Of those orders
And then you shall dress in silk {
velvet, or calico-anything you lik
"A so long as 1t doesnk scratch M
prick" she added merrily. bendir
I'D forward and fastening the lace &C
IA lar. "And you shall"
Mary" It was Nathan at Il
foot Of the back stairway.
NJ yes, Nathan"
"A "Ain't 1t most supper timer"
~, Bless my soul" cried Mrs. k'
~ sey, springing to her feet.
,va AN Mary"
Eyes"
.bo "Haint l got a eollRr-a billed on
o the bureau up therei"
aNo ballad Alma. snatching up q