Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-11-15

disinclination because she wasn't in the
humor to care whether Vernon had any
Jan and Jelly that winter or not.
But by the time that she had stewed,
boiled and stirred through the long June
morning and afternoon relief and disin-
clnation had both been dissipated. She
was tired. but il was the satisfying tired
feSs that testifeS to a days excellent
work. and she complacentiy surveyed the
shining. red-filled glass jars that stood on
table. shelves. sink and stove. Vernon
was fonder Of strawberry jam than any
thing except green tomato pickles. Well.
she had for once put up enough To do hm
through the winter. 1t was while she
she remembered shftless Mrs Bronson
and the crates of good fruit that had
been allowed 10 spoil. I.etha grew medi-
tative. 1t seemed queer that she should
buy 1t and then waste II. Maybe she
didn't know how. Although any one
surely could stew berries and pour them
into jars even il she couldn't make jam
II believe" Letha hesitated. She had
never spoken 10 the slim little woman
But Vernon had said that she looked
lonesome. Curiosity Had as much friend
illness to do with Letha's sudden deter
mination TO run over and take a dish OF
jam rs excuse. But she was bound 10
find out why good berries went to waste
She ran in the back way. bit emf
barrasSed. Custom DEGREES that Il 'front.'
door call shall precede a back way visit
But Letha was inpulsive. Moreover. a
woman who let her husband wash the
dishes when he came home at night was
not worth wasting conventionality on
Mrs. Bronson opened the door at her
knock and looked at her IN surprise
Letha was more than bit embarrassed
then. But not for her call-because she
hadn't come before. "Oh. come in. said
Mrs. Bronson, in the glad voice OF utter
loneliness.
I.etha went into the kitchen. which
was not untidy as she had expected
Mrs. Bronson was preparing supper. al
though it was hardly >. and her husband
in company witrh the other husbands OF
the suburb would not be home till I.
1T takes me so long,. she said, explain
Iingly 'since-my, How do you make II
so clear? And how do you get that tangy
flavor? 1t tastes like-like- What does
it taste lke?''
Lemon" explained I4etha. 4 put just
a little juice in. But you We're saying
Since / burnt my arms" carelessly.
They're stiff and it makes the work slow.
and | got some berries and couldn can
them | cried"
MY gracious cried Letha. How d
you burn your arms? She gazed shiver-
ingly at the red. lvid streaks that
stretched from wrists TO elbows.
II had kettle of potatoes on the stove.
They were burning and as ] reached to
turn off the gas I slipped and fell for
ward with my outstretched arms. My
hands went beyond the hot iron and SO
escaped. but my arms! didn't sleep that
Mr. Bronson. But they'll be well enough
lin a few days. AT least well enough to
work with. I'm starting dinner early to-
day because my brother is coming out.
why didn't you let some of us know
Letha demanded Wed have been glad
to run in and do your work.
Il didn't know any of you. murmured
Mrs Bronson. Her face was pink. Letha $
own face grew red. They had been
standoffish. If Mrs. wilkins. though.
waste Letha caught herself up with a
mental jolt) She was as much to blame
for listening as the other for telling. She
hurried to make what amends she couiu.
Now. Mrs. Bronson determlnedly.
you just put away those potatoes, put
off your apron and come over 10 my
house for dinner ! insist. 1t won't be
bit of bother No, il won't. And you
can watch from my porch for your nus
band and brother
AS she finished Letha was flying home
to begin preparations. And presently
Mrs. Bronson followed. She watched
Letha's swift. skillful movements with
open envy. and presently confessed that
| she had been married only short time
and was retarded as much by igno-
rance as by the burned arms.
You couldn't be any more stupid than
was in the beginning. said Letha-
Hello here's my husband. vernon, you
go out and watch for Mr. Bronson and
Mrs Brenson's brother. They're coming
here for dinner. and they don't know 1t.
Hurry, They'll be in the house
And she pushed him out. He seemed
rather dazed and anxious to say some
thing But almost in a minute he was
back with Mr.. Bronson and large
pompous man, whose only point of re-
| semblance TO his sister was a pair OF
pleasant blue eyes, She introduced him
/ as Mr. Cotton. Letha did not remark the
name She was wondering what had up
set Vernon. who seemed to be holding
back a nervous chill or CONFUSION But
presently she understood. 1t was after
Mr. Cotton had been helped four times to
strawberry jam.
Mrs. Vernon" he said I'm going to
raise your husbands salary. Any man
that had sense enough to pick out wom-
an that can fix up that combination de-
serves it. And if you'll show Bessy
here how TO make it I'll make him gem
eral manager.
Letha joined in the laugh. But. when
they had gone home afterward she
looked at Vernon with an expression far
from laughter. Just think! If I'd never
gone near her, l guess I'll wait after this
before Judging!
IrTHE