The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1912-08-17
CONTINUED
CHAPTER v.

CHAPTER v.
Wherein Mrs. Comstock Laughs the
First limo In Sixteen Years.
@1HE neighbor left, and Margaret
packed their purchases into the
big market basket. Wesley took
the hat, umbrella and raincoat,
and they went down to Mrs. Com
stocks. AS they reached the step Mar
garet spoke pleasantly to Mrs. Com
stock, who sat reading just inside the
door, but she did not answer.
Wesley Sinton opened the door and
went in, followed by Margaret.
"Kate," he said, you needn't take
out your mad over our little racket on
Maggie. I amt told her a word l
said to you or you said to me. She's
not so very strong, and she's sewed
since O'Clock this morning to get this
dress ready for tomorrow. It's done
and we came down to try it on Elnora."
''1s that the truth, Mag Sinton?"
demanded Mrs. Comstock
''You heard Wesley say so," proudly
affirmed Mrs. Sinton.
II want to make you proposition"
said Wesley. "Wait till Elnora comes.
Then We'll show her the things and see
what she says"
"How would it do to see what she
says without bribing herr" sneered
Mrs Comstock.
IF she can stand what she did yes
terday and will today she can bear
'most anything," said Wesley. "Put
away the clothes if you want to till We
tell her,
. "Well, you don't take this waist I'm
working on" said Margaret, "for I
have to haste in the sleeves and set
the. collar. Put the rest out Of sight
II you like"
Mrs. Comstock picked up the basket
and bundles, placed them inside her
room and closed the door.
Margaret threaded her needle and
began to sew. Mrs. Comstock return
ed to her book, while Wesley fdgeted
and ragged 1nwardly. He could see
that Margaret was nervous and almost
In tears, but the lines in Mrs. Com
stocks impassive face were set and
cold. So they sat and the clock licked
off the time-one hour, two, dusk, and
no Elnora. Margaret long since had
taken the last stitch she could. Occa-
sionally she and Wesley exchanged a
few words. Mrs. Coulstock regularly
ed nearer q window. Just when Mar
garet and Wesley were discussing
whether he had not best go to town
to meet Elnora, they heard her coming
up the walk. Wesley dropped his tilt
led chair and squared himself. Marga-
ret gripped her sewing and turned
pleading eyes to the door. Mrs. Com
stock closed her book and grimly smil-
led.
Mother, please open the door" call
led Elnora.
Mrs. Comstock arose and swung open
the screen. Elnora stepped in beside
Iher, bent half double, the whole front
of her dress gathered into sort of bag
filed with a heavy load and one arm
stacked high with books. In the dim
light she did not see the Sintons.
"Please hand me the empty bucket In
the kitchen, MOTHER" she said. II just
had to bring these arrow points home,
but I'm scared for fear I've soiled my
dress and will have to wash it. I'm to
clean them and take them to the bank.
er in the morning, and oh, mother, I've
sold enough stuff to pay for my books
my tuition and maybe dress and
some lighter shoes besides. Oh, moth
er, I'm so happy! Take the books and
bring the bucket!'
Then she saw Margaret and Wesley.
"Oh, glory?' she exulted " was just
Wondering how I'd ever wait to tell
you, and here you are! It's too per.
fectly splendid to be true!'
'Tell US, Elnora," said Sinton.
"Well, SIR" said Elnora, doubling
down on the floor and spreading out
her skirt, "set the bucket here, mother.
These points are brittle and have to
be put in one at time. If they are
Clipped I can't sell them" And she
told all that had happened.
Elnora laid the last arrow point In
the pail and arose, shaking leaves and
bits Of baked earth from her dress.
She reached into her pocket and pro
duced her money and waved it before
their wondering eyes,
"And that's the joy partw she exult,
ed. Put it up in the clock till morn
ing, mother. That pays for the books
and tuition and Elnora hesitated,
Tor she saw the nervous grasp with
which her mothers fingers closed on
the bills. Then she went on, but more
slowly and thinking before she spoke.
What get tomorrow pays for more
books and tuition, and maybe a few,