The Wahpeton times. [volume] (Wahpeton, Richland County, Dakota [N.D.]) 1879-1919, 1910-06-16

ut said-the city was under water.
OF course It's exaggerated"
Miss Burke sat up. Il want to sec
the paper" she demanded, and the
newcomer ned to secure It.
When she returned her friend was
sitting on the edge Of the bed, feeling
her way lSnguidly into Z kimona. She
took in the faring headlines at
glance. "rll get back into bed and
read It." she announced. "And can't
keep you from the 'Cruelties.' Mamie.
Run along and rescue q deserted in
FAINT"
She pushed her consider gently to.
ward the door and closed It after her.
Then she stood still for an instant
with clenched hands.
ITS not true" she said under her
breath. "san Francisco"
After a moment she gave herself
q little shake and began getting into
her clothes. Mamie had not gone
back to the "Cruelties." She heard
her moving about in the hall
and called to her: Come on In,
Nan. I'm nearly dressed. II you're
really going to take a day of, we'll
have breakfast downtown and go look
at the bulletins. You know you'd be
a dreadful temptation to the Philadel.
phia joke artist. This might te called
a Quaker holiday"
"oh. how can you!" cried Miss
Wrigg.
She had occasion to repeat the ex.
clamation many times during the day.
The black speculation of the bulletins
shook her so that she could scarcely
endure Eleanor's show of indifference.
But then she's probably Just show
ing off," she forced down her rising
anger, "and 1t is easier for her
friends"
She made brief expedition of her
own before working hours the next
morning and went in at lunch time
to give Eleanor the information she
had cleaned.
WAS It Clay & Erlanger your
brother worked for? l went 20 SEQ
Mr.. Cory this morning-he ships for
them-and he says there won't be a
chance Of their resuming. He says
they always did handle too much
stock for their capital. didn't 20
because was curious" she defended
herself against the others look. II
thought perhaps-Mary Orr was
wired for from Charleston yesterday.
Her sister was in San Francisco, and
her mother had some kind of a heart
attack. And thought possibly her
position-1ust till your brother gets
started at something again -"
Il believe you are that valuable
possession. friend in need" Miss
Burke jeered gently. you're the best
person in the world. Mamie, but
wouldn't 1t be premature? I'll prob.
ably have wire from Jimmy in a
day or two: San Francisco de-.
stroyed. Sending increased allowance
for nerve tonic and I'd hate to dis.
appoint him." Her lips quivered lit
tie and she put up her hand to cover
them. Il keep thinking of the fun
niest things. Just while was speak.
ing thought, Lotta's Fountains
gone and believe care more about
missing that than anything-and it
was the ugliest fountain on earth"
Il should think you'd care more
about hearing from your brother"
Miss Wrigg demonstrated. II should
think you'd be glad of the chance to
help him. I would, and I'd send him
word that things were turned about
now. and all he'd done for me"
Miss Burke sprang up from her
chair. For the moment even her soft,
lazy voice was sharpened with an.
ger. "Oh. wish you'd be still" she
cried shrilly. Il wish you'd go to
your own room once in a while. get
30 tired hearing you talk"
She apologized later for the out.
burst, but in such fashion that her
friend was left uncertain whether
she were more grieved or amused at
her own loss Of self-command; uncer-
tain, too. whether her mock-humble
application for the proffered work
were from desire or as form of pen.
ance.
OF one thing she was quickly made
sure. Eleanor could do the work
And the dingy headquarters of the
"Cruelties"-the same being the So.
ciety for the Prevention of Cruelty to
Children-set her OF gloriously. e.
eanor's manner too was as perfect as
her APPEARANCE compound of en-
joying interest and respect. Miss
Wrigg. observing 1t, jubilated inward
~. and on the car going home passed
on her jubilation to its object.
you'll get on" she replied. you'll
be ranking me in three months, and
then they'll give you one of their big
society positions. where all you have
to do IL to look nice and manage PEG.
pie. / hope you do stay with it. e.
eanor. You haven't-heard?"
"The wires being still inactive, 1
have not l told them at the house
to send anything that came to the
ONCE. I knew you'd 10 love to hear
from Jimmy"
Il would love to-" Miss Wrigg ad-
W. ~ u