Evening star., 1909-06-05

W y s.%' You. x,,s ns' .a', .s y.s' r'a
pension to live on, you shouldn't expect
to take in the lighter joys Of nfe II l
was you I wouldn't think any more about
the excursion
We'll send or bring you some picter
cards." soothed the president Of the sew
ing circle.
But Mrs. Bige Pratt, whose booming
bass usurped every situation 1t deigned
to bother with. spoke more sternly and
with less regard for Mrs. Peevy's de-
pressed feelings
Nellie. how can you, a soldiers widder.
think of such rinktums? Caleb was
martyr, and you should feel a gloomy
pride in denying yourself"
Mrs. Peevy, however, often reckless in
her despair and presuming to linger where
other members of the circle would not
have the temerity to even hesitate. half
protested. half walled, Il don't see why
! shouldn't think of excursions. When
plan that his death SHOULD keep me from
mild quiet joys. He died that we might
be free. And now 1 find l amt free"
And she sighed, and could not see to bite
the thread because Of the yelling tears.
Nellie Peevy," coldly demonstrated
Mrs. Pratt, stiffening her heavy frame in
resentment of such bald mutiny, how
can you talk so? The women OF this
circle have planned to go on an excursion
TO Sebago Lake. You say you can't af-
ford to go and must stay at home. Then
why not make 1t a burden of love and not
be a dampness on this meeting?"
Mrs Peevy rolled her eyes in a vain
search for resignation and let the sewing
slip from her fat fingers as she lamented,
'I'll have to stay behind. but can't be
jolly about 1t. II hadn't heard you was
to change cars might have bore up bet
ter But. oh. IT'S hard to remain behind
when even in, my dreams / can see you
changing cars! I've always hankered
to 60 somewheres and have to change
cars. II Caleb Peevy was here now
I'd 60 fast enough. know what
he'd say: he'd say. Nellie. go, and the
Lawd be with you; and don't stick your
head out the car winder.' There! I'll
try and not say anything more about it.
But it's hard. pesky hard. had to wait
twenty years before 1 could have a black
silk and mourn for him.
A grim silence. accentuated by the dis
approbatory pursuing Of the lips, continued
for several seconds and was only broken
by Mrs weeger as she addressed her
neighbor behind confidential palm, and
in a clear, penetrating whisper. asked,
We're to meet at the station at Z, sharp?"
Seven, sharp" mumbled the president
And l think we all ought to meet at my
house and march down two by two. We
must take care to keep together when
We change cars in Portland. I s'pose
we'll unpack the baskets and eat up in
the grove
NO; by the lake" hoarsely corrected
Mrs. Pratt.
Mrs. Peevy. whose nervous hands had
been twisting uncertainty as she greedily
drank in all these delectable details, now
eagerly obtruded: IF we eat near the
lake we can wash the dishes quicker and
have more time Oh. dear! / can't
make 1t seem real that l must stay to
home. How much are the tickets, Myra?'
The president sighed In sad irritation,
as she informed. I've told you time and
time again. Nellie. that they're three dol
lars n sixty cents for the round trip"
IT declare" whimpered Mrs Peevy.
kerchief, 'ft seems a pesky shame that
the widder of a man who died for the
government should be denied the trip jest
because OF that. Myra. don't you s'pose
they'd let a dead veterans widder go
cheaper? Seems g II I've read some
where's that the government
"No. Nellie; there's no such hope for
you.'' broke in the rancorous voice of
Mrs. Pratt You'd better be reconciled
to stay TO home. Why couldn't you go
up to the cemetery and then over to the
pine grove and-and meditate?"
Mrs. Peevy's ample bosom heaved
tumultuously as she sought to restrain
her emotions, but she could not resist
complaining. "And must 90 all my life
without Citing a single sniff Of the salt
water?"
I'll bring you pretty shell. Nellie" +"
soothed Mrs. Weeger.
No don't" shuddered Mrs. Peevy
working her hands convulsively. 1T
would only make II harder But IL you'd
git the enjine not to toot or whistle when
leaving the station it might help some
Mrs. Pratt frowned and waved her scis-
sors for silence as she slowly proclaimed
..The enjine will do its duty For She
had no intention of foregoing any mark