Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1912-08-22


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"Oh!" painted EInora. sis that me7"
garet and Wesley got faint signs Of
recognition in turn. but there was no
softening of the girls face and no
hint Of smile when she saw her
mother.
Ueartsick. Katharine Comstock grip
ped her seat and tried to prove to her.
self that she was justified in what
she had done. but she could not.
When at last the exercises were over
she climbed into the carriage and rode
home without word. She did not
hear what Margaret and Billy were
saying. She scarcely heard Sinton.
who drove behind. when he told her
that Elnora would not be home until
Wednesday. Early the next morning
Mrs. Comstock was on her way to
| Onabasha. She was waiting when the
Brownlee store opened. She examined
ready made white dresses. but they had
only one OF the right size. and it was
marked $40 Mrs. Comstock did not
hesitate over the price. but whether
the dress would be suitable. She would
have to ask Elnora. She inquired her
way to the home Of the Bird Woman
and knocked.
is Elnora Comstock herc?" she ask
ed the maid.
Yes. but she is still in bed. was
told to let her sleep as long as she
would"
Maybe l could sit here and wait"
said Mrs. COmstock. II want to see
about getting her q dress for tomor-
row. I am her mother"
Then you don't need wait or wor-
ry." said the girl cheerfully. There
are two women up in the sewing room
ut work on a dress for her right now.
II will be done in time, and 1t will be
beauty"
Mrs Comstock turned and trudged
back to the Iimberlost. The bitter
ness in her soul became n physical &C.
tuality and water would not wash the
taste Of wormwOod from her lips. She
was too late. She was not needed. An
other woman was mothering her girl.
Another woman would prepare beau
tlful dress such as Elnora had worn
last night. The girls love and graft
tude would go to her. ,lrs. Com
stock tried the old process of blaming
someone else, but she felt no better.
She nursed her grief as closely as ever
in the long days of the girls absence.
Among Elnora's graduation gifts was
u Queerly shaped package brought to
the Bird Woman's by Billy. The Bird
Woman bent over her as she opened 1t
and tested the fabric with her fingers.
why. bless my SOUL" she cried.
Hand woven. hand embroidered linen,
fine az silk It's priceless. l haven't
seen such things In years. My mother
had garments like those when was
child. but my sisters had them cut up
Tor collars. belts and fancy waists
while was small. Look at the exqui-
site work"
Where could 1t have come from ="
cried Elnora.
She shool, out petticoat with n
hand wrought rulile foot deep, then
an old fashioned chemise the neck and
sleeve work Of which was elaborate
and perfectly wrought. On the breast
was pinned a note that she hastily
opened
IT was married In these" 1t read.
land | had Intended to be buried in
them, but perhaps 1t would be more
sensible for you to graduate and get
married in them yourself If you would
like Your mother"
From my mother" Wide eyed, Ell
nora looked at the Bird Woman. DO
YOU suppose she can be insane?"
Yes" said che Bird Woman, stark,
staring mad-wildly insane II she does
not love you and care what becomes
Of you"
Elnora arose and held the pettlcoat
10 her. "Wlll you look at it, she
cried. "Only imagine her not getting
my dress ready and then turning
around and sending me such a petit
coat as this! Ellen would pay 500
for it and never blink. suppose
mother has had 1t all my life, and l
never saw 1t before"
go take your bath and put on those
things" said the Bird Woman. For
get everything and be happy. She ia
not insane: she is embittered."
Soon Elnora was ready for her
dress. She never had looked 80 well
as when she again headed the process
sion across the flower and palm deck
ed stage of the high school audlto-
rum. When she looked into the eyes
Of white faced woman next to Wes-
ley and Margaret she slipped hand
to her side and raised her skirt tho
fraction of On inch. Just enough to let
the embroidered edge of a petticoat
show a trfie. When she saw the look
of relief which flooded her mother
face Elnora knew that forgiveness
was In her heart and that she would
go home In the morning.
1t wSs late afternoon before she ar
rived. and dray followed with load
of packages. Mrs. Comstock was over
whelmed. She sat half dazed and
made ElnOra show her each costly and