Oxford Democrat., 1912-09-03

II meant to get you some heavy
dress skirts and coat then," said Mrs
Comstock.
81 know you said So" cried Elnora
But you needn't now. can get every
single stitch I need myself. I'll be
helping with the tax next, mother"
Elnora waved the waist and started
for the bedroom. When she opened
the door she gave little cry.
"What have you people been doing?
she demanded. II never saw so many
interesting bundles in all my life. I'm
skeered to death for fear l can't pay
for all Of them and will have to give
up something"
Wouldn't you take them II you
could not pay for them, Elnora?" asked
her mother instantly.
"Why. not unless you did," answered
Elnora. people have no right to wear
things they can't afford, have they?"
But from such old friends as Mag.
tie and Wesleyw Mrs. COmstOck's
voice was oily with triumph.
From them least Of ALL" cried Ell,
nora stoutly. From n stranger sooner
than from them, to whom / owe so
much more than l ever can pay now."
"Well you don't have to-" said Mrs.
Comstock. 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 II there's more
necessary maybe can sell the butcher
calf. or If there's things too costly
for us. of course. they can take them
back. Anything that amt used can be
returned. They were only brought here
on 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. must try 1t
on"
Don't you dare put that on your
head untE your hair is washed and
properly combed," said Margaret
while 1t 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
lngs."
Margaret sat down and began sewing
swiftly and little later opened the
machine and ran several long seams.
Elnora was back in few minutes
holding up her skirts and stepping
daintily in the beautiful new shoes.
Wesley and Margaret scarcely
breathed for long time. Then Wes-
ley went to do the feeding. Elnora
set the table. When the water was
hot Margaret pinned 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 9 sparkling sheen
that caught the light and cleaned and
flashed.
"Now. the idea Is to let 1t stand nat
urally, Just as the curl will make 1t.
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 1t out
and dry it. Then part 1t in the middle
and turn front quarter OH each side
from your face. You tie the back at
your neck with a string-so, and the
ribbon goes In big, loose bow. III
show YOU" One after another Mar
garet Sinton tied the ribbons, creasinR
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 Elnorn. with Its
pink tints, its heavy dark browns, Its
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. 1t was
lust n wide tan straw with three ex-
ouisite peacock quilts ut one side. Mar
caret Sinton cried out, Wesley slapped
his knee and sighed like a blast ana
Mrs Comstock stood speechless FOR q
second.
T wish you had asked the price be,
fore you put that on" she said impa-
tiently. 1--WE never can afford it."
ITS not so much rs you think" said
Margaret. Don't you see what l did!
l had them take off the quills and put
on some of those Phoebe Simms gave
me from her peacocks. The hat Will
only cost you a dollar and half"
She avoided Wesley's eyes and look
ed straight ut Mrs. Comstock. Elnora
removed the hat to examine 1t.
"Why. they are those reddish tan
quills Of yoursr' she cried. Mother
look how beautifully they are set on
l think they are fine. I'd much rather
have them than those from the store
$50 would l." said Mrs. Comstock
III Margaret wants to spare them, tina
will make you a beautiful hat, dir
cheap, too! You must go past Mrs
Simms and show her. She would bt
nleased TO see them"
Elnora sank into chair because she
couldn't stand any longer and contem
plated her toe. "Landy, amt
aueen?' she murmured. what elst
have l got?'
Just belt, some handkerchiefs and
q pair Of top shoes for rainy days ant
colder weather." said Margaret, hand
ing over parcels.
"About those high shoes, that wa'
my idea," said Wesley. "Soon as Il
rains low shoes won't do, and by TAX
Ing two pairs at once could get then
some cheaper. The low ones are two
and the high ones two-ffty, togethel
three seventy.five. Aln't that cheapF
THAT'S a real bargain" said Mrs
Comstock, IF they are good shoes
and they look It,"
"This," said Wesley, producing th'
last package, 'is your Christmas pres
ent from your Aunt Maggie. go
mine, too, but it's at the house. II
bring it up in the morning"
He handed Margaret the umbrella
and she passed 1t over to Elnora, VIII
opened 1t and sat laughing under 1t
shelter. Then she kissed both Of them