Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1914-02-28
THE PEOPLE BACK HOME
By JESSIE FAkTER.


 the young woman with the gold-brown hair as she dug out a section of grape fruit daintily.
 This is nothing but cornstarch sweetened, anyway" answered her friend. Il do hope things will be de- cent. 1 ordered luncheon here in the railroad station so that we need waste no part of our two precious hours hunting a more delectable spot. liar. ry's thoughtful business engagement gives me chance to hear all about this splendid good fortune of yours and Harry's. l was SO glad to hear it. Tell me how it hapuehed!"
 First, how am looking?' asked the wife of the new president ot the Firefy Match company.
 "very lovely, indeed. Claret colored clothes always did suit you"
 Never a word about I always dic like that suit!' You are dear!" laughed her friend. You saw it last year. But gave it 30 little wear. And this winter have needed it not at all in California That was wonderful trip, dear. So am wearing 1t back home bravely-comfortable for the first time in five years
 Tt is perfect and raved about N last year. But you know am always expecting to see some unusual creation when you telegraph me to meet you on your way to Ridgewood. That town is such dressy place that no one can blame you. l never so back there, That is the way solve the problem"
 But your relatives are no longer there." said her guest. That makes all the difference. have simply had to go and see mother and dad once year If it hadn't been for you to talk to each way for two hours l couldn't have lived through 1t.
 "You see," she went on, I've began all wrong. It was partly mothers training, but she couldn't help that coming from the southern home, as she did, and living there in Ridgewood We have always been paying for my dress for Amy's reception or Harry's tuxedo for the Waltons' dinner or something. It has been foolish, oS course, for in the city we go to 80 few full dress affairs. A tailored suit and few dressy blouses could go almost anywhere go, so in the city feel overdressed in my Ridgewood ward robe.
 "The first summer, when we went stand. but we didn't, We had done the best we could and were glad that sum- mer things cost SO little. Then cana that elaborate dance of the Kings at the country club. 'You remember Richard King? WeN, so did Harry! He had come into shIe uncle's money and was living up to t. To think of me having to go to thaa dance looking less prosperous than Ruth King did almost broke Harry's heart. His wedding clothes were still ,, perfect but couldn't wear mine.
 Mother came to the rescue. She sent me to Mme. Gereau, who made . my wedding things. with the tale that could find nobody her equal in the city and had come home for her to
 make my clothes. So we went to the dance looking wonderful--our status
 yelled in white chiffon.
 "The minute we got home and could
 do so Harry sent mother . check. We all but starved to do it, but he wouldn't let 1t go, and he declared that 1t should
 never happen again. It didn't We have managed to go back each year in the style demanded by Ridgewood. I have simply hated the whole thing. , Mother has always planned far in aA- s vance and has always sent us list o4
 functions she expected us to attend be |. fore we even knew that Harry could
 get away. They are so hospitable and
 l do appreciate"
 2 "It isn't nearly 90 much that" broke . in her cynical friend. "as using you f for an excuse to outshine each other in entertaining!"
 ! There was that side of it." admit
 ted the guest. laughing.
 !. But you talk as if 1t were over. |" , said the friend.
 a Tt Is. With the death of MT. Holmes f and Harry's election to the prestdency
 and the great increase to our fortunes a our worries are over. Not the money 7 side of it. We have been able to stand { that part fairly well for two years q past It is the reputation of the thing a that has finally rescued us.
 ? Mother sent us the home papers | announcing Harry's ascendancy. l. Wealth comes to Ridgewood's son. r Harry Willet becomes president and chief stockholder of the F1rehy Match f company The entire column waa
 fun. It was more than that-it was f emancipation. Then mother wrote us l to come for fathers birthday and not !. mind getting new clothes! ''@' t So we started last night on a 3 hours notice. l begged Harry to aay
 that he didn't mind if I didn't have . ? new outflt. Wear any blamed cd ,- thing you please he said. They know 5 now we can afford it. 90 vhy voesye' A