Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-08-24
THE DAILY STORY.
FATHERS SECOND.
downright. 1913. by W. Werner,

II wish" Fanny sighed. that father
brooks.
C,ce,ey eyed the breadth of faded lawn
npon which they worked and her lips
,nivered II don't believe they'll look
IKE ANYTHING when they are done" she
said. IT'S a good thing that skirts are
narrower now than when these dresses
were made. If the fashion had been re-
yersed ] don't know what we'd do. AS
II is. III be ashamed to wear them.
shan't YOU. Fanny? Especially as all the
other girls at the party will have brand
new frocks. And not one OF them mas
a father as well off as is ours
or as stingy." Fanny clapped her
hands over her mouth. but the words had
flown She colored. conscience smitten.
..There, | ought not to have said that.
But | thought it. Ciceley. And Mrs.
niuoock saws that thinking Is as bad as
speaking any time"
Ciceley glanced from the window.
sSpeaking of angels. here comes Mrs
Dimock now" she said. Kun and well
come her, dear. can't put down my
work
Fanny sprang up willingly. Mrs
Dimock was their nearest neighbor and
their dearest friend, just as she had Deen
the friend of their dead mother. Sne
kissed Fanny and patted Cfceley's head
Then she sat down and examined their
work. -
Making over, girlies? I'm doing a bit
Of that myself. l prefer new things right
straight through. but Andrew can't at
ford much dress expense, and / don't ask
him to- Besides, I'm an old woman ana
my looks are gone But YOU one
paused II always think young things
ought to flower out like the ssrihsas
in, SprinP ~
You see it's Maud Emberts party,
riceley said And we haven't a tnlhs
10 wear And we don't dare ask father.
He seems worried or something nova
laws" She looked at Mrs. Dimock anx-
ously. DO you suppose he has been
osing money or anything like that?
Mrs. Dimock drew a deep breath OF
esolve. Hasn't he told you? she ASKED
quietly.
The girls made joint demand.
Andrew and l both know. We pom
owe Won dear and we wish the best Tor
you. We know how things always nave
been here and how they are now -FOUR
mother told me a great many Things.
And life didn't give her much, l can tell
you. And she asked me to see that you
girls had it easier than she ever had
I'VE tried to do what | could, but
iidn't dare try your father too far Tor
FEAR And it's all of a piece with
he way he's always acted that ne goes
low to be married without telnnS you.
Married" gasped the girls. They
turned to one another as for mutual
sympathy. And We thought it was busi-
ness and he was bothered. Oh. Mrs. DIM
ock.' They burst into tears.
Mrs Dimock patted each with tender
aand There there" she said 1t was
10 easy task to tell you, but ] felt l
must Especially as he's bringing her
nome tonight, l suppose
Who is she?' the girls asked
Her name is Mrs. Warren. Shes
widow and from up country somewhere
She's visiting the Reeds over on the
mountain That's where your father has
gone 10 marry her. Shes a perfect
stranger to all of us. and I'm hoping for
the best But any woman here Is going
10 be better than none. You must try
10 be good to her. And now since you
know il and must feel kind of upset like,
YOU better come with me to dinner.
Come
Even the chicken and dumplings and
fresh strawberry pie failed to wipe out
he effect of disillusion from the girls
young minds
I'm afraid" walled Fanny. "Oh, Mrs
Dimock, I feel like running away. How
shall / call her? What shall we say to
herr And how shall we act? l wish l
knew.
hut Mrs Dimock could not tell them
that She was miserable over the affair
herself. She could oaly kiss them and