Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-11-05

the open air. but I suppose he feels
ne can't leave his little sister. That
aunt of his amt much Of off,. a woman
mind. but then I dare say he thinks he
can't do no better. Noers no kind to
go ahead, for all he's such good
a sound. sensible woman as wo' ID give
a decent home and look a ct the
child for him. But. land, kes too
poor to marry. Wouldn't no girl have
him; sakes alive! There's that clock
striking again"
ITS too fast" said Elida. glancing
at the rusty timepiece. A letter leaned
thought she could read her own ad-
for me today?" she asked
Mrs Mulsan1 lstt gave And er here II is
Now would you ever believe I'd get
so rattle headed as to go forgetting
your letter when l put it up in plain
hope there's good news in 1t for you,
Jeary?
Elida had opened the letter and was
staring at the single typewriter sheet
tory labor had not been able to fade,
was dying in her smooth cheeks
Suddenly she leaned forward and
thrust the letter into Mrs. Mulvaneys
hands. Read it quick, she painted,
and see if you can understand it,
Land. deary. I'm dumb as an adj
der when IT comes to business, said
Mrs. Mulvaney, after one glance at
the official looking paper. But here
comes Mulvaney. He'll tell you all
about it,
Mr.. Mulvaney. big. pallid. slow
man who had started out in life with
tremendous ambitions and had come
by devious ways to blacksmith
shop. took the paper and got a clear
been left some money" he said.
You've been left $4,000 out and out
Three thousand dollars" screamed
Mrs. Mulvaney.
Mr.. Mulvaney. solemnly:
Elida was rosy as the dawn. Her
eyes shone: oh. it seems too good
sand doilars-three thou-No. / don't
want any supper. 1 don't want any
thing but to get away and think"
She rushed out upon the porch. She
wanted to get into the open air: Her
heart was going like mad. Visions
glittered before her eyes. She could
leave the factory. There would not
driven machine for her. She was
free-free. She would hire a piano
and begin TO take lessons. That
meant. of course. she must leave Mrs.
Mulvaneys. There no room in
the Mulvaney house for piano Be
sides. it was better that she get into
a locality where there We're other
than working people. Marble street,
She would take room there and
manage some of her meals and get
the others at that smart little cafe
on the corner. 1t would be expea-
sive. but. thank God. she could af-
ford expense now. In year she ought
TO be ready for Europe. Surely her
old knowledge of music would come
back to her and her fingers. given
proper rest. would unlimber quickly
The hands that had manipulated
twenty dozen sets of underwear a day
ought to be able to produce spark
ling notes of myriads. Long before
she came to the end of her $4,000 she
would be a finished musician. dazzling
hundreds. perhaps thousands. from
the concert stage. Her heart went
out in gratitude to that old aunt of
her mothers. who had had so much
to leave to her scattered and mainly
unknown relatives.
Presently the fever of joy in her be-
gan to subside and reason came. It was
evening now. and the moon was coming
cool and white. to look into the narrow
little street of shabby houses. The dew
was gathering gently and easing the
burning heat. Mr.. Mulvaney and Mrs
Mulvaney. leaving the front porch to
their boarder. sat on the back steps and
talked over the strange happenings of
Elida's inheritance. Elida was alone. All
up and down the street people were sit