The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1915-01-01
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!; A CLEAN GOOD DEED
ssy MARTHA MCCULLOUGH VIII I
4 LIAMe. >

l
Jess mourned, looking at herself II
the spotty mirror.
] It aggravated to . degree the WY
neSs and general misf1t Of the pin1
m0usseline she had on, but she knew
Its vagaries OF reflection well enough
to discount them, 80 understood fairly
the result of inexperience and pat
1 terms.
III there have to be poor folks. "
she ran on, II don't see why they
aren't made all humpbacked or one.
Eyed, or with crooked noses and pump
kin compilations! Then they wouldn't
care what they wore-a gunnysack
with holes would do them as well as q
court dress. I-I-love clothes. ]
could wear them, too, If only had
them. And I hoped so much-oh, it's
| too-too-bad,," breaking down there
and dropping her face in her hands.
Tears forced, themselves between
her slim, tanned fingers. At sight OF
them Lu. her sharp young sister, said
acidly: SIT does look bad enough-bui
cry spots all down the front won't help
1t. Shut up! Maybe folks will be SO
busy lookin' at your face your frock
won't matter"
II am not going-at least, I think
not" Jess said, with a long, quivering
sigh. -
Lu stamped foot. "You are goin',"
she said, imperatively. "This is the
last chance I'll have to wear your
graduatin'' dress-the only decent
thing in the family. In another month
it'll be clean outgrown, unless / take
to starvin' myself-which I won't, not
even to wear clothes"
With that she ran away-out Of the
house, across the back lot, and on to
the far hillside, where she knew.Bent-
ly was sketching. He came from the
ctty-she had made friends with him
vasranuy--had given him buttermilk
from tie sprtns horee. She was sure
of his help even before he nodded EN-.
phatically at the Gud OF her story, over
which he laughed heartily 81 1t went
on.
"I'll be there-without fall" he said,
nodding. "Great scheme! Young per-
son, it strikes me you're wasted on
this slow country. When Jess and
Timber-toes make a match Of it"
What makes you call Johnny Ed
ward Timber-toes7 He hasn't got any
wooden legs!" Lu broke in eagerly.
Bently nodded third time, saying
"Sure he hasn't; but you see his ped
estal Is wooden-the lumber mills
that make so much money every day
they have to cit up all night count
ing It,"
"And-he isn't going to marry Jess.
I'm afraid not" Lu confessed hon.
estly. you SOC, Milly Kicks has been
off to boarding school-and they give
her everything"
Fate gave Jess more" Bently said,
with little half sigh. 'Be easy, fell !
low conspirator. We are going to pull |
all the kinks fashion and style may |
knot up, out Of this true loves course"
Which was esoteric-to say the |
least. But Lu ran home radiant-and |
even forgot satisfaction in her own
superlative appearance In her concern
for Jess.
At the party the contrast between
poor, pretty Jess and MilIy, who had
everything, was made more than ever
acxte. Jess all but shrunk under con.
seriousness Of it as they entered the
parlor together. Milly was in white
and clinging, with roses
'ound the low neck and duck OF
yirdle, caught with bigger roses. II
vas so pa!pahle folks nadgsd meaning.
y ,thoy stared when Tall. dist.n.
--ishod- locking man. who had rather
leid alpof, came suddenly forward.
,aught both JOSS hands sid said in a
yell-bred. carrying voice: my dear
Hiss Wilton, you are as wicked "a
,ou are beautiful Are you willing
o do penance for giving me so great
shock?"
"How?" Jess asked, bewildered. Lu,
t her elbow, was almost dancing with
Bently sighed deeply, saying, Il
anne here for the simple life-to es-
ape Paris--and all Its works. Now
gu shatter my paradise in week. !
hall see your imitators on every hand.
10 the penance / shall. set you is-to
It to me for your portrait-just as
on are. Not fold to be changed.
'hink what an exhibition picture it
iii make! I'll call 1t the Futurist.'
ust what you are. didn't dream
hose advance styles had been sent
vsr-but since you have got one at
3Ast-"
He stopped tAsrs - though sud
emily conscious how fblhs vsre hang.
1g upon his words Jess was too be
to do more than murmur
ssent. The crowd was awe stricksa
, Bently's verdict and wondering
ow on earth Iess Wilton had man
eed 50 to Guido and outshine ali the
~.
when Bently aud In were outside
q the little side porch he looked
Own. q her SiowiAe face. you are
10 NEST easlAbis Isrssn here" he