Evening star., 1911-08-27
BY L. FRANK TOOKER

Mrs: Pa sons: @but Annies worried an she thought
"Well, III right up soons go down street, Aunt
May omised Twon't take a minute. Some
thing have to right off, she added with air OF
shy mpo tance. She picked up her parcel hesitatingy
Mrs Pa still stood.
"What you got" that woman asked curiously, "a
@Yes," answered Aunt May, and moved toward the
door. II won't be but minute
"Why, les see it. urged her neighbo-. Il was sayin
only yesterday l needed dress; but if Annie's
bab Gh g0n to be sick d1p III gt at m hoDe
fully as she united her package.
Mrs Parsons took the fabric between her fingers
bending it in sence then she turned away 4lts
thing like that. An alpaca something will have to
do for me- At the door she turned back "You won't
fo-get the baby?"
NO" 5epled Aunt Mary. Her fingers, busy with the
string, embed "Too good for he-!' she muttered.
"Shes got two silk esses now but She begr dge me
my first. Oh dear! l wish folks would show diff rent
spi1it' Then her usual kindly nature eassered itself
"Well, l suppose she's worried about the baby, an
mebbe ought not to put her off. don't knows that
right though do want to get the dress under way
CHE found more enthusiasm in Miss Perry, the dress
~ make, and TO got her misgivings.
declared beautiful. It's splendid goods. But law!
l can't cut into it this week, busys am. Seems sit
folks all get notion for things at the same time an
rush to death; then for weeks won't touch needle
But we'll decide how you want it now, and then Ill mt
you when I'm ready. You any ideas?"
"No," answered Aunt May; al thought mebbe you'd
know-have pictures something we could look over
1t took long time; for Aunt Mary could not well
visualize herself in the elegant models of the fashion
plates and, with laudable desire to have the dress
stylish" haunted by the fear that it might look
too young. Being assured at last she rose to CO. :,
Miss Perry looked her with critical eyes, You'll
be easy to fit" she declared @youvc got good figure
@Wel, want it nice" Aunt Mary said timidly.
It'll be elegant" Miss Perry assured he; you
won't know you: self. ,. m
Aunt Mary smiled family and shook her head. u
don't knows want to be changed" she confessed as
aoh, thatn be safe here said Miss Perry. "Il just
send for you when I'm ready"
But Aunt Mary shook her head IL think Ill take
it," she insisted. "'Taint sf it was heavy
She went lesurely home and had taken off her bon
net befo she thought OF the sick child
"There!" she dropped he hands to he sides in dsnay
"If haven't forgot Annies baby! l do believe I'm
possessed! III run right up
CHE found the mother sitting by the cradle, gently
- rocking it. She glanced up as Aunt Mary entered
the room; but she did not rise.
"Ive sent fo the docto~," she said codly; but she
ceased he rocking her visitor hurried to the cradle
side and leaned the child. The baby looked stolidy
head.
Aunt Mary sighed her relief; "Law! Annie, they
amt need" she declared. @He amt real hea tsck
See his eyes? They amt feversh an his heads cool"
well, didn't know" responded the mothe1 "You
didn't come and got nervous. Mother said you'd be
right up"
81 know" responded the visitor humbly; but it
took me longer'n expected"
She stayed an hour; but her eager pleasure in her
dress was gone when she went slowly home. She had
missed the look of relief the mothe S face at her
coming that, such occasions, had half unconsc1ousy
given her of power and Importance in the
community and he deelicton to her lifelong joy OF
being instant in need humbed her. She put her silk
away and went thoughtfuy about her household tasks
ATE in the afternoon she went out to water her
- flowers. AS she carried the heavy watering pot to
the front yard she glanced up the street IA up the
steep soad boy coming down at full speed. There
was nothing of mere bovish friskness in his dete mined