The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1912-01-18
Mrs. Nesbif's
Neighbors
.copyrisht. ,p1l. b A.soei.sed Literary Prss.l

Nellie Nesbit looked across the lawn
and sighed The magnincence of the
adjoining house weighed ON her spir-
its BY comparison her own little cot
tage seemed mean and poor.
Well at least I have my roses"
she comforted herself.
Her garden was thing Of beauty
a riot Of color. a sea Of fragrance.
There were no roses around the big
house across tie way Formal ter
races. . clump or two Of rhododen-
drons. some clipped trees In green
boxes; these constituted the floral dis.
play
And she let's her gardener care for
them" Mrs. Nesbit had told her hus-
band at breakfast HALF the fun in
having flowers il In taking care OF
them yourself"
"She doesn't seem to have much
fun" John Nesbit had replied. she
lives such an artificial existence"
oh. 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. don't dare
step into my garden when those wo-
men are playing cards"
why not?"
Il haven't anything fit to wear"
John raised his eyebrows In amaze
hod 10
shown signs of discontentment
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 I'll be late for my train"
III Mr. Wentworth was the least
bit neigl borly." Nellie complained.
he 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 be
bothered" was Johns conclusion, but
Id enjoy ride these hot days II
they'd take you. too"
Nellie would not take such an Opt
mistic view Of the case 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
To-Day 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 a
corner Of hsr porch. where, screened
by the vines, she could watch the
guests. She could see Mrs. Went
worth In exquisite white, and corals
moving from table to table Sudden.
ly 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
u 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
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"
How sweet OF you" said Mrs. Went.
worth Then she. too. hesitated. 81
should be glad to pay you for them"
she said
Nellie's face famed why" she
stammered. why Mrs. Wentworth
why the ideal couldn't think Of
it"
II should feel moro comfortable"
was the response
well" Nellie's eyes were ominous-
~ bright. II should think the fact that
we are neighbors should make US will.
ing to do something for each other.
shouldn't it,"
"Neighbors vaguely "Oh. yes"
Then as her eyes took In the plain lit.
tie place. with its signs OF rigid econ.
omy she said again. you ought to let
me pay-your roses are worth It,"
Nellie saw the look. and interpreted
It. I'VE are not SO poor as that" she
said. slowly
"Oh. my dear Mrs. Nesbit. didn't
mean-how could you think" II was
Mrs Wentworths turn to stammer
The two women faced each other for
a moment. then Nellie said. III you'll
let me give them to you. I'll 60 and
cut them" Something in her quiet
dignity made sMrs. Wentworth
acquiescs without further remon-
STRANGE.
She went back to her guests while
Nellie shipped OF 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?
She carried the flowers over. pres
entity, going to the side door that she
might not be seen by the guests A
little maid let her In.
"Oh. they're lovely" she said. but
! don't know what to do with thin
Mrs. Wentworth asked me to arrange
them But | never did such a thing
In my life. | haven't q bit Of taste
that way"
Beyond the door Nellie could see
the dipingroom and the round and
mahogany table. set with doll
les OF exquisite finenes But the fin.
tshing touch was lacking. What did
she want you to do?" she demanded
Of the maid