Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1912-10-22
A GIRL
OF THE
'LIMBERLOST
By
GENE STRATr0N.pORTrR
Copyright ipe. BY Doubleday. Page
& Co.
CHAPTER XIV.
Wherein Elnora 10 Graduated With ths
Bird Wonan,s Hahn
GENE srRArros-poRreR
Copyright isus. By Doubleday. Psgs
& Co.

| CHAPTER XIV.
Wherein Elnora 10 Graduated With ths
Bird Woman's Help.
8 Elnora rode to the city she an
|N swered Wesley's questions In
nH monosyllables so that he
e thought she was nervous or
rehearsing her speech and did not care
to talk. Several times the girl tried
to tell him aud realized that II she said
the first word 1t would bring q torrent
of tears. The Bird Woman opened the
screen and stared unbelievingiy.
why. l thought you would be ready;
you ure 80 late!' she said. IF you
have waited to dress here We will have
to hurry"
Il have nothing to put on" said FL
nora
In bewilderment the Bird Woman
drew her inside.
"Did-did"- she faltered. did you
think you would wear that?"
mo. thought would telephone
Ellen that there had been an accident
| and | could not come. don't know
vet how to explain I'm too sick to
think. Oh. do you suppose I can get
something made by Tuesday so that
cau graduate3"
"Yes. and you'll get something on
you tonight. SO that you can lead your
class. us you have done for four years
Go to my room and take OF that ging
ham quickly. Anna. drop everything
and come help me-"
The Bird Woman ran to the tele
phone and called Ellen Brownlee.
"Elnora has had an accident She
will be little late." she said "You
have got to make them wait Have
them play an extra musical number
before the march"
Then she turned to the maid "Tell
Benson to have the carriage at the
gate Just as soon as he can get It there
Then come to my room. Bring the
thread box from the sewing room. that
roll Of wide white ribbon on the cut
ting table and gather all the white pins
from every dresser in the house. But
first come with me minute.
"I want that trunk with the Swamp
Angels stuff in It from the cedar clos.
et." she painted as they reached the top
Of the stairs.
They hurried down the hall together
and dragged the big trunk to the Bird
Woman's room. She opened It and be-
gan tossing out white stun.
How lucky that she left these
things" she cried "Here are white
shoes. gloves. stockings. fans. every
thing"
"I am all ready but a dress" said
Elnora.
The Bird Woman began opening clos
cts and pulling out drawers and boxes
Il think l can make It this way" she
said
She snatched up a creamy lace yoke
with long sleeves that recently had
been made for her and held 1t out
Elnora slipped into II. and the Bird
Woman began smoothing out wrinkles
and sewing In pins. It fitted very well
with little tapping in the back. Next.
from among the Angels clothing she
caught up white silk waist with low
neck and elbow sleeves. and Elnora
put II on II was large enough. but dis
iress!ngly short In the waist. for the
Angel had worn It at a party when
she was sixteen The Bird Woman
loosened the sleeves and pushed them
to pun on the shoulders, catching
them In places With pins. She began
IN the wide draping Of the yoke. fas-
tening 1t front, back and each shoul-
der. She pulled down the waist and
Pinned It. Next came soft white silk
dress skirt Of her own. BY pinning her
waist band quite four inches above e.
noru's. the Bird Woman could secure
perfect Empire sweep with the cling.
Ing silk. Then she began with the
wide white ribbon that was to trim
new frock for herself. bound II three
times around the high waist effect she
had managed, tied the ends in q knot
und let them fall to the floor in a beau.
tiful sash.
"Elnora." she said, forgive me, but
tell me truly. Is your mother 20 ex-
tremeiy poor as to make this neces-
saryr'
NO. answered Elnora. 'she ISIS
different"
The Bird Woman turned the girl
facing the tall mirror.
"Oh~ painted Elnora. "1s that mel
You are genius! Why. will look a.
we'll as any Of them
The organ began rolling out the
march as they came In sight. Elnora
took her place at the head Of the pro-
cession. while every one wondered.
Mrs. Comstock gripped her hands to-
sether and shut her eyes. It seemed
an eternity to the suffering woman
before Margaret caught her arm and
whispered: "Oh. Kate! For any sake
look at her! Herei The aisle across"
Mira Comstock opened her eyes and.
directing them where she was told.
gazed intently and slid down in her
seat on the verge Of collapse. She
wus saved by Margaret's tense grip
and her command, Here. idiot. stop
thatr'
In the blaze Of light Elnora climbed
the steps to the palm embowered plat
form, crossed It and took her place.
Sixty young men and women. each OF
them dressed the best possible. follow
ed her. There were manly. fine look
:ng men In that class which Elnora
led. There were girls Of beauty and
grace, but not one Of them was hand
Eomcr or clothed In better taste than
she.
Billy thought the time would never
come when Elnora would see him, but
at last she caught bis eye. then Mar
caret and Wesley got faint signs OF
recognition In turn. but there was no
softening Of the gir1's face and no. !.
hint of a .smiie when she saw hee
|, mother.
Heartsick, Katharine Comstock grip
.a 49,. .osk and tried 10 DfOV0 TO her