Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1912-07-04

"From them least of ALL" cried FL
nora stoutly. "From a stranger sooner
than from them, to whom I owe so
much more than I ever can pay now"
We'll, you don't have to-" said Mrs.
maggie just selected these
things because she is more in touch
with the world and has got such good
taste. You can pay as long as your
money holds out, and if there's more
necessary maybe I a sell the butcher
a calf, or if there's things too costly |
for us, of course, they car take them
back. Anything that amt used can be
returned. They were only broughtAhere
OF trial."
The girl began opening the packages.
The hat came first.
"Mother"! cried Elnora. Mother, Of
course, you have seen this. but you
haven't seen it on me. I must try it
on"
Don't you dare put that on your
mead until your hair is washed and
properly combed," said Margaret.
while it dries you can eat your sup
per. and this dress will be finished.
Then you can put on your new ribbon
and your hat. That little round bundle
on the top Of the basket is your stock
ings."
Margaret sat down and began sewing
swiftly and a little later opened the
machine and ran several long seams.
ElnOra was back in q few minutes,
holding up her skirts and stepping
daintily in the beautiful new shoes.
Wesley and Margaret scarcely
breathed for a long time. Then Wes-
ley went to do the feeding. Elnora
set the table. When the water was
hot Margaret pinned a big towel
around Elnora's shoulders and washed
and dried the lovely hair according to
the instructions she had been given the
previous night. AS the hair began to
dry it billowed out in g sparkling sheen
that caught the light and cleaned and
flashed.
"Now, the idea is to let it stand nat
urally. just as the curl will make it.
Don't you do any Of that nasty, untidy
snarling. Elnora." cautioned Margaret.
'Wash it this way every two weeks
while you are in school, shake it out
and dry it. Then part it in the middle
and turn a front quarter on each side
from your face. You tie the back at
your neck with a string-so, and the
ribbon goes in a big, loose bow. I'll
show you One after another Mar
garet Sinton tied the ribbons, creasing
each Of them so they could not be re-
turned, as she explained that she was
trying to see which was most becom-
ing. Then she produced the raincoat,
which carried Elnora into transports.
To Wesley and to Margaret the
bright young face of Elnora, with its
pink tints, it's heavy dark browns, it's
bright blue gray eyes and its frame
Of curling reddish brown hair was the
sweetest sight on earth, and at that
instant Elnora was radiant.
She set the hat on her head. It was
just a wide tan straw with three ex-
quisite peacock quilts at one side. Mar
garet Sfnton cried out, Wesley slapped
his knee and sighed like a blast and
Mrs. Comstock stood speeches. for a
second. ,>-~,-==>-~
II wish you had asked the price be-
fore you put that on" she said ihpa:
tiently. "We never a afford it."
cts not SO much as you think" said
Margaret. Don't you see what I did?
I had them take off the quilts and I put
on ONE Of those Phoebe simms gave
me from her peacocks. The hat will
only cost you a dollar and a half"
She avoided Wesley's eyes and look
ed straight at Mrs. Comstock. Elnora
removed the hat to examine it.
"Why, they are those reddish tan
quilts Of yours" she cried. "Mother,
look how beautifully they are set on!
I think they are fine. I'd much rather
have them than those from the store"
$50 would l." said Mrs. Comstock.
If Margaret wants to spare them, that
will make you a beautiful hat, dirt
cheap, too! You must go past Mrs.
Simms and show her. She would be
pleased to see them"
Elnora sank into a chair because she
couldn't stand any longer and contem-
plated her toe. "Landy, amt I a
queen" she murmured. what else
have I got?"
"Just a belt, some handkerchiefs and
a pair Of top shoes for rainy days and
colder weather." said Margaret, hand
fno 0var Doroo1c
"About those high shoes, that was
my idea," said Wesley. "Soon as it
rains low shoes won't do, and by TAX
ing two pairs at once 1 could get them
some cheaper. The low ones are two
and the high one two-ffty, together
three seventy-five. Amt that cheapY'
"That's a real bargain" said Mrs.
Comstock, "if they are good shoes,
and they look it."
"This," said Wesley, producing the
last package, sis your Christmas pres
ent from your Aunt Maggie. l got
mine, too, but it's at the house. I'll
bring it up in the morning"
He handed Margaret the umbrella,
--I