Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1909-07-28
THE PRODGAL
BUTTERFLY,
she Played Her Part to Good
Purpose, as It Proved.
By MARIE pENsMoRE.

BY MARIE OENSMORE.
downright, 1909. by Associated Literary
Press.J
At the age Of twenty-nine Bessie
Pryor was forced to sit down and take
stock Of herself. her requirements and
her future. The money her father had
left her, which she had foolishiy be-
ieved would last forever, was gone,
with the exception Of a few hundred
dollars.
She bad had good time with it. As
she looked back over recent years
and considered how she had spent 1t
she had to admit that she had had a
very good time with 1t. First she
had had four years in~the best college
in the country: she had had a year of
foreign travel: she had been much
about her own country; she had had
seasons in the mountains. seasons at
the seashore. seasons In the city; she
had heard the best music. seen the
best plays and studied the best pic
lures in the world. And. as for clothes,
she had worn right and left the finest
productions Of the shops and expert
enced modistes.
Now all Of this was at an end sud
denly. She had had last interview
with her fathers old attorney. and he
had told her the truth. She had used
up her means. The past summer had
written fms to the story Of her prodi-
gality. Only a few hundred remained
What was she to do?
OF course there was Aunt Bess, for
whom she had been named-Aunt Bess.
under whose wing she had gayly
squandered her substance in riotous
living.
She knew very well why Aunt Bess
had allowed her to go on as she had
She had expected her to make a nota-
bic match. But fate would have Il
otherwise There had been men
enough. but only one for whom she
had cared, and he would have none Of
her And so she had come to twenty
nine and at the end Of her fortune
without the slightest claim upon her
freedom.
She could live with Aunt Bess, hut
Aunt Bess had girls Of her own, who
were just coming out. one after the
other. at enormous expense. And
Uncle Ed wasn't the richest man In
the world.
~ can't live on Them" the girl
thought. They'd take me in and do
their best by me. but I'd be burden.
Alas and alack, II only had learned
some useful craft! And only 500 re-
naming. 1t appears the only thing
left for me Is to be vender of old
clothes. I've got enough Of them,
goodness knowsw
She laughed a little TREMENDOUSLY.
"But. dear me. ! can't sell my clothes.
! shall have to wear them. Well. 1t
stands like this: can't live with Aunt
Bess-pride forbids." She checked of
one finger. Il can't teach; can't
sew; can't-I can't do anything"
She dropped her head in her hands
an instant. then raised 1t resolutely.
"Bess Pryor, you're a chicken hearted
thing! Put on your things and take
a walk. You will be crying next thing
you know"
She sprang up. donned hat and furs
and a few moments later was leaving
the house Of the elderly friend with
whom she was stopping during this
urgent business quest of hers to the
city.
At the very first corner. as she was
walking briskly along trying to get
the better OF her feelings, she met a
plainly dressed girl who was walking
just as briskly.
why. Madge Whitew Bess ex-
claimed. holding out her hand eagerly.
Il haven't seen you In years. Where
In the world do you come from?"
The other girl laughed.
Why. don't you know? I'm here
taking course In the business col
iege. I'm learning shorthand and type
writing. You see"-her voice dropped
there's been hard times at home, and
I'm getting out by myself to ease the
burden If ! can. always did love to
tinker with typewriter, even when
l didn't have to. and hope shan't
like 1t any the less now that l shall
nave to look to 1t as means Of sup
port"
Typewriting and shorthand" Bess
unused "Madge." she spoke earnestly,
90 you suppose l know enough to
manipulate the keys and make those
pothook things with pencil?"
DO you? And you a college girl!
you certainly know enough. Bess. The
trouble is you don't have to learn"
All, but do" Bess said soberly.
Let me walk with you and tell you
all about it."
And as they went slowly up the
street together she told her story. She
mad not cared much for Madge In col