The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1912-02-06

they needn't call on Estelle Freeman
tomorrow because she can't AFFORD 10
enters ain. IIumph. guess Free
| mans can hold their own with any
body In Lanelea." averred Mrs. Smith
Loyalty.
"Wcll. declarer cried Mrs. skinner
angrily. and without further parley
she whisked around corner and went
toward her own neat. white painted,
| glaringly furnished. unmortgaged
home.
Mrs. Smith stared after her for an
instant and then appeared TO forget
the existence OF Mrs. Eddy skinner.
Her kindly eyes were turned back
ward over the way they had come.
where the line of neatly painted pick
ct fences was broken by length of
overgrown. unkempt privet hedge that
surrounded the Freeman place.
Suddenly she wheeled about and re-
traced her steps until she came TO the
ragged hedge, where she pushed her
bulky form through the narrow gate
way. Instead of going around 10 the
side door that Estelle always used in
winter. Ellen Smith marched up the
broad front steps and rang n peal
through the empty rooms.
EsteUe opened the door, her fair.
sweet face betraying surprise Mt the
sight of Ellen Smith at her front door.
Ellen Smith was an old friend who
was privileged to enter the Freeman
house at any intimate door without
knocking.
"Well. Estelle, can / come in?" FL
len was inside the great, cold hall as
she asked the question.
"Come into the library. I've got a
nice fire there" said Estele. leading
the way down the hall to a door in
the south wing.
Mrs. Smith sank heavily into the
rocker and loosened the veil tied over
her head she cast a quick glance
around the room and noted that Estelle
was mending linen pillowcase.
There was a lack of evidence of the
usual preparations for the first day of
the new year.
"Of course you're going TO open the
house tomorrow as usual" said Mrs.
Smith abruptly.
Estelle flushed and bent closer over
the pilowcase she was darning. NO"
was her reply. THE house doesn't
belong to me any longer"
"Who owns it," demanded Ellen
sternly.
"The man who owns TIE mortgage.
HaslIins Bros. are his agents.
and n pretty pair OF rascals they
are" cried Ellen Smith. suddenly
bursting into tears over Estelles trou-
bles. I'm not going to ask you how
it happened. I dare say you couldn't
keep it-not with Haskins Bros. in the
deal-only you know / shall expect
you to come and keep me company
until you decide what TO do"
Estelle laughed and cried all Mt once
as she took Ellen's toll worn hands in
her own. Keep you company, indeed!
As If you could be lonesome with five
children. But / understand. and will
come. Ellen. / am TO settle the mat
ter day after tomorrow. and after that
they will give me three months TO va
cate. The place really does not be
long to me after tonight.
you will have to sell Off some OF
the furniture. l expect" muttered Ell
len diffidently.
Yes" admitted Estelle sadly "You
know when father died. Ellen. he beg
ged me to hold on TO the place at any
cost. He-he thought might marry
some day. but of course, that is all
nonsense" Estelle blushed and turn
ed her head away; then. with proud
shake of her shoulders, she resumed:
There was a tiny sum left in the
bank. so ] mortgaged the house and
have been living on that. | know 1t Is
thriftless, but there was no work for
me in Lanelea, and / promised father
TO stay and always keep the house
open, but it will have to go noww
"And. OF course, Henry Haskins will
ingly let You have the money and was
nice about waiting for the interest be-
cause this is the finest property in
Lanelea and worth waiting for" cried
Ellen Smith bitterly. IF / had only
known before L might have helped
you"
With an i'll framed excuse she has
tened away. first eXacting n promise
from Estelle To come to her house and
help receive. Although it was draw
ing near mealtime and her hungry
brood would be watching for her mo-
mentary arrival. Ellen Smith made
her way toward the courthouse. where
she was fortunate enough to find Judge
Mason still in his Office.
Her interview with the rather stern
faced judge lasted for an hour. and
when she left the office her counte-
nance beamed with delight at n salts
factorily accomplished duty. 81 al
ways knew there was somebody Estele
might have married and from his face
when / mentioned her name know"
New Years day dawned cold and |
cloudy. There was not much inclina- !
ton to leave warm stoves and 60 n.
calling, but still there was an incen- |
tive In the form OF aluring refresh. |
ments as well rs alluring daughters in |
many households.
Estele shed bitter tears as she wan |
dorp1 fhrotlUh tho loualty roon,c ,o,o- L