Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1912-06-20

wages OF q woman many q day. Can't
you make her some decent dresses.
Maggie?"
well, I'm not just what you call
expert, but / could beat Kate Com
stock all to pieces. I know that skirts
should be plated to the band instead
Of gathered and full enough to sit in
and short enough to walk in. I could
try. There's patterns for sale. Let's
60 right away. Wesley"
well, set me a bite of supper while
I hitch up"
They drove toward the city through
the beautiful September evening. and
as they went they planned for Elnora.
The only trouble was not whether
they were generous enough to get what
she needed. but whether she would ac-
cept what they got and what her moth
er would say.
They went to a large dry goods store.
and when a clerk asked what they
wanted to see neither of them knew,
so they stepped to one side and held a
whispered consultation.
What had we better get, Wesley?"
"Blest if | know" exclaimed Wes-
ley. Il thought you would manage
that. l know about some things I'm
going to get"
At that instant several schoolgirls
came into the store and approached
them.
"There!" exclaimed Wesley breath
lessly. There, Maggie! Like them!
That's what she needs! Buy like they
have"
Before she knew it Margaret was
among them.
Il beg your pardon. girls, but won't
you wait a minute"' she asked.
The girls stopped with wondering
faces.
ITS your clothes." explained Mrs.
Sinton. You look just beautiful to
me. You look exactly as I should have
wanted to see my girls. They both
died of diphtheria when they were lit
tie. If they had lived they'd been near
your age now. and I'd want them to
look like you. l know a girl who
would be just as pretty as any of you
if she had the clothes, but her mother
does not think about her, so l got to
mother her some myself"
"She must be a lucky girl" said one
girl.
"Oh. she loves me-" said Margaret,
land L love her. I want her to look
Just like you do. Please tell me about
your clothes. Are these the dresses
and hats youewear to school? What
kind of goods are they and where do
you buy them"
The girls began to laugh and cluster
around Margaret Wesley Sinton strobe
down the store with his head high in
pride Of her. but his heart was sore
over the memory Of two little faces
under Brushwood sod. He inquired
his way to the shoe department.
why, every n Of us have on ging-
ham or linen dresses" they said, land
they are our school clothes"
For q few moments there was a
babel Of laughing voices explaining to
the delighted Margaret that school
dresses should be bright and pretty.
but simple and plain and until cold
weather they should wash.
"I'll tell you," said Ellen Brownlee,
my father owns this store. I know
all the clerks. I'll take you to Miss
Hartley. You tell her just how much
you want to spend and what you want
to buy, and she will know how to get
the most for your money"
THAT'S the very thing" agreed Mar
garet. But before you go tell me
about your hair. Elnora's hair is
bright and wavy, but yours is silky
as hacked fax. How do you do it?"
"Elnora?' asked four girls in con-
cert.
Eyes; Elnora is the name Of the girl
l want these things for"
Ibid she come to the high school to-
day?' questioned one Of them.
"Was she in your %c]asses?" demand
ed Margaret without reply.
Four girls stood silent and thought
fast. Had there been a strange girl
among them. and had she been over
looked and passed by with indifer-
ence because she was so very shabby?
If she had appeared as much better
than they as she had looked worse
would her reception have been the
same?
There was a strange girl from the
country in the freshman class today"
said Ellen Brownlee. land her name
was Elnora."
"That was the girl" said Margaret.
care her people so very poor?" ques-
toned Ellen.
mo, not poor at all. come to think
Of it." answered Margaret. Its a Pc
culiar case. Mrs. Comstock had a
great trouble. and she let it change
her whole life and make a different
woman of her. She used to be lovely.
but all she does now is droop all day
and walk the edge Of the swamp half
the night and neglect Elnora. If you
girls would make life just a little
easier for her it would be the finest
thing you ever did"
All Of them promised they would.