Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-01-04


she had made no friends, so she shift
ed from one foot to the other, moving
forward slightly as far up at the other
end of the line people were admitted
through magic door.
It was very cold, but Marcia's heart
was warm. For the first time in her
life she was earning money, and she
was sending part of it home. Then,
too, she had new hat, which was
great cause for happiness. 1t was the
first really lovely hat that she had
ever possessed, but $50 month seem
ed such munifcence that Marcia had
given way to temptation and had
bought the lovely plumed thing.
She did not dream that her exquisite
blonde beauty framed by the big hat
was attracting the attention not only
of the pedestrians but of the occu-
pants of the autos and of the carriages
that drove slowly in line toward the
other entrance, where a privileged
few we're admitted at once to the blue
room. Marcia Toasted her eyes on the
pretty gowns, and for the first time as
she stood there In the cold little bit
of envy entered her heart. Why
shouldn't she ride in luxurious COM
fort? She had beauty and youth, and
loved good time
!. But even as the thought entered she
put it away Wasn't she lucky enough
with her sixty dollars month and her
new hat? And once more her face
was bright and she held her head
high,
| Then suddenly she gave startled
glance from under the brim Of her hat
as the door of great motor car open
ed and voice said, won't you get In
here with me?"
The woman who spoke was beauti-
full with the beauty Of old age. Under
her wide hat her hair was white but
she held herself with grace and dig
nifty oh" Marcia faltered, and the
lady said, quietly. Get in, my dear.
| / will explain later"
SO Marcia, followed by the eyes of
the crowd, stepped into the wonderful
car, which went slowly up the drive.
way.
Then the beautiful lady turned to
her with sparkling eyes. WAS your
grandmother Martha Witherspoon"
she demanded
"Why-yes--"
The beautiful lady clapped hel
hands 81 knew it the minute laid my
eyes on YOU" she said "As you stood
there with your head held high in thai
naughty little way, and with your blue
eyes and your red-god hair-it was as
IL my dear school friend had come bacl
to me-"
Grandmother is the dearest thing,
Marcia said, 'and as pretty as ever"
Il lost track of her." the beautiful
lady told her, when | went abroad
years ago. and when ] saw you
wasn't going to run the chance Of no
finding you again-so | made you ge
: in, and made you lose your pace in thu
line"
ooh, | don't mind that" said Mar
cha. 81 can go back to the end ant
wait" Indeed you won't said tn
beautiful lady. Il am going to take 20,
right along with me to the blue room
S I am to stand behind the receiving
line. and you shall meet the presiden
Q and go on to the east room and wal
for me there"
"But I am not dressed for that,
i Marcia demurred.
II am going to play fairy godmothe1
g and put my wrap on YOU Your glove
are all right, and your hat, and 20
shall have my violets, and presto!-
you will be young lady of fashion.
e Marcia protested, but for just on
moment the curtains of the closed ca
d were drawn as the wrap was slippe
q from the fairy godmother's shoulder
It and transferred to Marcia's more slel
4, der ones. and then the crowd, loollin
g on, saw two exquisitely gowned won
5. en-, side by side, the younger or
n blushing beautifully over her bouquC
of violets and valley lilies.
The rest was dream to little Ma
It cia-the entrance into the brilliant
lighted rooms, the music, the rustic
Is silken gowns, the presentation to I'll
president. She drew great breath
delight, as she settled herself final
in corner of the east room.
But there was more to follow, for
few moments the fairy godmoth
t. sent the prince. He was the nephe
C. of the beautiful lady and he was
H. take care of Marcia.
Y And he did take care of her, mo
graciously and he talked with her
II she were princess instead Of
very shabby little girl, with her sha
"a biness covered by borrowed cloak.
aren't you warm" he asked h
C once, and Marcia said, hurriedly, 20
w. no." But when he said again, 81 thil
to you'd better let me take your wrar
she laughed and confessed:
cts your aunt's cloak and / wi
you could see what very shabby
10 tie suit | am wearing under it,"
And the prince said the cloak wasl
any prettier than the hat, and tn
the hair under the hat was the pr
tiest of all, and just then the beau
full lady came along and asked, cha
"a you made friends with my boy, NJ
cia?"
~. 81 think he is lovely" she said, a
,s blushed prettily.
,S She was carried off to dinner WI
- the beautiful lady, and the prin
went, too. And when Marcia took
the cloak he said he liked her in
simple little suit. "Only you must 81