Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1912-09-24

ting down. she studied 1t grimly. Al
last she arose.
wonder how It would do to show
Mag Sinton a fill or two" she mur
INJURED.
Mrs. Comstock was up early and
without a word handed Elnora the
luncheon case as she left the next
morning.
THANK you. mother" said Elnora
and went on her way.
She walked down the road, looking
straight ahead until she came to the
corner. where she usually entered the
swamp. She paused, glanced that way
and smiled. Then she turned and look
ed back. There was no one coming ir
any direction. She kept to the road un
Ill well around the corner, then she
stopped and sat on grassy spot, laid
her books beside her and opened the
lunch box. She scarcely could believe
her senses. Half the bread compart
ment was filed with dainty sandwich
es of bread and butter sprinkled with
the yolk of egg and the rest with three
large slices Of the most fragrant spice
cake imaginable. The meat dish con-
tanned shaved cold ham, Of which she
knew the quality; the salad was toma'
toes and celery. and the cup held pre-
served pear. clear as amber. There
was milk In the bottle. two tissue
wrapped cucumber pickles in the fold
ing drinking cup and fresh napkin in
the ring. No lunch was ever daintier
or more palatable. OF that Elnora was
perfectly sure. And her mother had
prepared 1t for her.
She glanced around her and then to
her old refuge. the sky. "She does love
mer' cried the happy girl "Sure as
you're born she loves me: she Just
hasn't found it out yeti!
She was to 90 to the Bird Woman's
after school for the last load from the
case. Saturday she would take the ar-
row points and specimens to the bank.
That would exhaust her present sup
plies and give her enough money
ahead to pay for books. tuition and
clothes for at least two years. She
would work early and late gathering
nuts. In October she would sell all the
ferns she could find. She must collect
specimens Of all tree leaves before they
fell, gather nests and cocoons later and
keep her eyes wide open for anything
the grades could use. She would see
the superintendent that night about
selling specimens to the ward build
ings. She must be ahead Of anyone
else If she wanted to furnish these
things. So she approached the bridge.
That It was occupied could be seen
from q distance. AS she came up she
found the small boy Of yesterday
awaiting her with confident smile.
1--WE brought you something" he an
nounced without greeting. This Is
Jimmy and Belle-and We brought you
you present"
He offered a parcel wrapped in brown
paper.
"Why, how lovely Of your said e.
nora. II supposed you had forgotten
me when you ran away so fast yester-
day."
Nav, I didn't forget you." said the
boy. II wouldn't forget you. not ever!
Why. I was list a-hurrying to take
them things to Jimmy and Belle. My.
they was gladp''
Elnora glanced at the children. They
sat on the edge Of the bridge. obviously
clad In a garment each. very dirty and
unkempt, a little boy and girl Of
about seven and nine. Elnora's heart
began to ache.
"say." said thu boy. saint you going
to look what we have gave you"
II thought 1t wasn't polite to look
before people," answered Elnora. "Of
course will If you would like to have
me-"
Elnora opened the package. She
had been presented with a quarter OF
stale loaf Of bakers bread and a
big piece Of ancient bologna.
"But don't you want this your
selves?" she asked in surprise.
Gosh, no! ! mean ist plain no."
said the boy. I'VE always have 1t.
We got stacks this morning. Pas
come out of 1t now. and he's so sorry
he got more an ever we can eat. Have
you had any before%
mo" said Elnora, II never did"
The boys eyes frightened and the
girl moved restlessly.
1--WE thought maybe you hadn't"
said the boy. First you ever have,
you like It real well. but when you
don't have anything else for long
time, years an years. you git so tired
He hitched at the string which held
his trousers and eyed Elnora specula'
lively.
"I don't s'pose you'd trade what you
got In that box for ist old bread and
bologna now. would ycu2 Mebby
you'd like It! And know. ist know
what you got would taste like heaven
to Jimmy and Belle. They never had
nothing like that. Not even Belle, and
she's most ten. No. stree. they never
tasted things like you got"
Elnora knelt on the bridge, opened
the box and divided her lunch into
three equal parts. the smaller boy get
ting most Of the milk. Then she told
them It was school time and she must
| 90.
"Why don't you put your bread and
bologna In the nice box2" asked the
boy.
"Of course" said Elnora. II didn't
think"
When the box was arranged to the
| chlldren's satisfaction all Of them nc
| ccmpanied Elnora to the corner where
she turned toward the high school
Elnora and Billy led the way, Jimmy
and Belle followed.
BILLY" said Elnora, IT would like
you much better II you were cleaner
Surely you have water. Can't yor
children get some soap and wash your
selves2 Gentlemen are never dirty
You want to be a gentleman. dom
your
"Is being clean all you have to do t
be a gentleman"
NO." said Elnora. "You must no
say bad words and you must be kint
| md pollte tn your sister"