Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1910-08-24
CopyEight. 1910. by Associated Literary Press
By Martha McCulloch-WiIliams

how l know do know. Unless you
let him alone, all Midyale shall know
just what happens here-you won't
like that! You won't last long after
it is known"
Indeed! Who is to make it known?
You forget the guild obligation of 81
lence," Mrs. Light said, trying to be
whitening.
Keturah almost tossed her head. Il
know | can't tell it, but Jenny Wren
can" she cried in triumph, walking
toward the door.
.Beatrix was already there and Lily
close behind her. Both were crying.
Outside they turned and held out
hands to each other.
Keturah nodded approval. Come
on home with me, you two" she said.
Il have things to tell you You're
sweet and young, and Lord knows
don't want you to grow up cats, like
the others"
In her small, stuffy room she told
them. "You know Alison Blake a lit
tie bit-how every man and boy that
works for him gets little beyond Nv
ing wages. But you don't know that
hes paying better than living wages
to the folks that work for the Cres
cent-writers, picture makers, print
ers and all. Cash on the nail, too.
No, he doesn't own 1t. A young fellow
he likes started it and got in deep wa
ter. Alison pulled him out, and has
stood behind him since. He insists
that the Crescent will make them both
rich in the end. If it does l know
where the money'n go-into helping
the folks that need help whether or
not they deserve It,"
How do you know so much?" Lily
asked.
Why l take the money up to
town! Midvale thinks l go there
after fashions. Lord, If 1t knew!"
But how did you get into it?" Lily
persisted.
Keturah eyed her for a minute. her
sallow cheeks flushing family. Now
I've told you so much faint worth
while to keep anything back" she
said. 'You see, 1 came to understand
him in our getting together over Jen-
ny Wren"
Jenny Wren!" Lily repeated In
credulously. "You are not-you can't
be"
81 amt" Keturah said with a sly
smile But | am-as much as any
body except Alison himself You see,
I was in debt a hundred dollars on
account of death and sickness, and !
hadn't got any out, working five years,
It made me desperate. tried to write
something-verses. you know. Alison
pays for all he prints. He didn't
print my verses, but they brought us
together, and he Matched up the plan
l to tell him the things Jenny ought
to know about, and let him see how
women thought, and all, and he'd put
'em down. And he paid me $40 a
week for Just that, and as he come
to know l was trusty got me to help
with the other things. Now I'm debt
free and have money enough to buy
wedding clothes. Silas and I have
waited fifteen years for that"
Lily and Beatrix looked at each
other through swimming eyes, and
went away silently, walking close to-
gether.
At the corner Lily turned. saying
timidly: You'll soon be making your
wedding clothes, Bee. Mr.. Blake
asked me last night If he might dare
tell you how he loved you"
What did you tell him?" Bee asked,
very low.
Lily laughed softly. THAT It would
not be the least bit daring" she said.
Hurry up the wedding, please. 1t
must come off before the passing of
Jenny Wren. or Midvale will feel bit
terly defrauded"