The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-08-21
THE EVENING STORY
Mrs Nesbit's Neighbors.
IBy Temple Bailey. }

her spirits. BY comparison her own
little cottage seemed mean and poor.
Well, at least have my roses"
she comforted herself.
Her garden was a thing of beauty
"a riot of color, a sea of fragrance.
mere were no roses around the big
mouse across the way Formal ter
races, clump or two of rhododen-
drons, some clipped trees in green
boxes; these constituted the floral
display.
And she let's her gardener care
Tor them" Mrs. Nesbit had told her
husband at breakfast. Half the fun
them yourself
She doesn't seem to have much
fun,' John Nesbit had replied. She
lives an artificial existence"
on, but she has a lovely time,
Nellie insisted She has loads of
company, and they come in automo-
biles. and they play bridge on the
porch, and have delicious things to
eat. Why, John Nesbit, I don't dare
step into my garden when those
women are playing cards."
why not?"
Il haven't anything fit to wear"
John raised his eyebrows in amaze
ment- Never before had his Nellie
you're too pretty to say things like
that he told her.
Prettiness doesn't count in these
days, Nellie assured him.
He came around to her side of
the table and kissed her. You're all
right he said heartily. Goodbye,
sweetheart. I'll have to hurry a bit,
or III be late for my train"
If MI Wentworth was the least bit
neighborly,' Nellie complained, "ha
would ask you to ride in town with
him. He sits in that big car alone,
except for the chauffeur, and there's
room for four
He probably doesn't want to ba
bothered, was Johns conclusion,
but I'd enjoy ride these hot days
| il they'd take you, too
Nellie would not take such an OPP
| timistic view of the chase. They had
been so happy before the big house
went up beside them, but now, the
whole peaceful routine of the day
was disturbed by the social functions
which presented panorama of gay
gowns and of whirling motor cars.
Today the motor cars were out in
full force. A morning bridge party
was in progress and there were five
tables
Nellie. with her sewing, sat in
corner of her porch, where, screened
by the vines, she could watch the
| guests She could see Mrs. Went
worth in exquisite white. with corals,
moving from table to table. Sudden
~ she detached herself from the
crowd, and came down over the ter
races, and through the great gates.
why. she's coming here" said the
little woman.
Il want to ask a favor" said the
gracious lady, standing in the arch
by the vines. THE florists haven't
brought any flowers for my table. I
telephoned and find they have missed
the train. And wondered" she
hesitated
"Oh, you want some of my roses?'
asked Nellie, quickly. Why. OF
course. I've so many of them"
Wentworth. Then she, too, hesitated.
Il should be glad to pay you for
them" she said.
Neilie's face famed. why
she stammered, why, Mrs. Went
worth-why. the idea--I couldn't think
Il should feel more comfortable,
was the response.
Well" Nellie's eyes were omin-
ously bright, Il should think the fact
US willing to do something for each
other shouldn't it?"
"Neighbors ?" vaguely. "Oh. yes"
Then as her eyes took in the plain
little place, with its signs of rigid
economy, she said again. You ought
to let me pay-your roses are
worth it,"
Nellie saw the look, and interpret
ed it. I'VE are not so poor as that,
she said, slowly.
'Oh, my dear Mrs. Nesbit, didn't
mean-how could you think It
was Mrs. Wentworth's turn to SIAM
mef
The two women faced each other
for a moment, then Nellie said, "2f
you'll let me give them TO you I'll
go and cut them" Something in
her quiet dignity made Mrs. Went
worth acquiesce without further re-
monstrance.
She went back to her guests while
Nellie shipped off big white beauties
and big pink ones, outwardly calm
but inwardly raging. 1t was all she
could do to keep back the tears. Was
that what her neighbor thought of
her?
emily, going to the side door that she
might not be seen by the guests.
little maid let her in.
"Oh, they're lovely" she said,
but 1 don't know what to do with
them. Mrs. Wentworth asked me to
arrange them. But I never did such
thing in my life I haven't a bit of
taste in that way
Beyond the door Nellie could see
the dining room and the round and
shining mahogany table, set with doll
les of exquisite fineness- But the
finishing touch was lacking What
did she want you to do?" she de-
manded of the maid.
t'She had ordered separate punches
for each of the ladies. and piece fd'
the center of the table, the maid
stated.
Have you any ribbon?" Nellie
asked.
Lots OF it."
Pale blue2"
Yes
Get it for me, and III fix them. "
s'Oh. will your"
Such nosegays as Nellie made!
lunches of white roses tied with
/ hIue. aIternated with punches of
pink tied with the same celestial col
or. In the center the pink and white
and blue were combined, giving
Vatican effect that was original and