The Lamar register., 1915-09-15

wanted to work."
Il do want to work, but-in some
other way" Elinor nerved herself to
say. IL have 30 forgotten pride
don't mind being a servant, but
10 mind being a servant without
wages"
Upon my word! OF all the in
gratitudel" Uncle Jabez began acidly.
His brother rose suddenly-it was
seldom he said anything in family
councils. Now, in almost his old voice
OF power he cried; "Jabez-this can't
be! You forget yourself. My daugh-
ter shall serve no strangers. MOI l
don't forget what we owe you-it is
you who forget what you owe your
blood"
What l owe It has kept you from
the poorhouse these last seven years"
Jabez roared back. Kept you here
in the house that you mortgaged for
twice its worth. Now because l want
your fine lady daughter to help a bit.
you turn rusty. It would serve you
right IL 1 turned out the pair of you
neck and crop"
I'm ready. The poorhouse is not
so far of. l can walk-and they will
send for fatherr Elinor cried, her
eyes blazing.
Her father tottered toward her.
Wen go-together-girl." he said
But / wont let you stay there with
me-not even if the law would permit.
You shall go out and know what it
is to work and be free"
''I ought 90 coll ,ynrr hIrR
60" Jabez snarled. But you bank
on my family feeling. Sit down.
William really had no thought OF
stirring up such hornets nest. Now
tell me just what you object to?
was thinking only for your own
good"
Elinor sank down. burying her head
in her locked arms. The two men
talked eagerly, breaking in one upon
another-she hardly heard them, and
certainly did not heed. Presently her
uncle touched her shoulder, saying
with grun contrition: I'll send up
old Mag ELY. She can do the rough
work for you and the gentlemen shall
be told they needn't expect more than
breakfast-served in the arbor-"
No Elinor said, rising and fac
ing him. IF you let me have Mag, |
can give them whatever they call for.
Meanwhile-if the work leaves me any
leisure-may use it in my own way ?"
Nobody II hinder you" Jabez re-
turned ungraciously.
Before her uncle had quilted the
house she was out in the big old
fashioned garden on her knees besides
the laden gooseberry bushes picking
green fruit as hard as ever she could.
The artist tenants found but one
cause of complimentary never got
more than a passing glimpse OF Miss
Elinor Gordon. Meals were prompt
and perfect. Bills duly rendered
Uncle Jabez made him whistle and
say to himself II Elinor were only a
man he'd be glad to have her as a
partner. There was a handsome mar
gin Of profit after settling for sup
plies. He admitted as much to Eli
nor, limiting that she should have her
share.
She amazed him by flushing deep
ly and shaking her head. But she
had grown handsomer-much hand
somer-of that he was sure Her
scowl was gone. she had got a fine
color and. although her hands were
often stained and rough. she did not
complain.
Something about which Uncle JaDez
knew nothing was going on.
Higgins. the grocer. was Elinors
accomplish in putting over things
upon her uncle and the tenants Those
latter gentlemen had a fine discrim-
nation for all manner of table dain-
ties. and further. they liked the brands
Higgins supplied so well that they
ordered them lavishly-in dozens
weekly-to send as gifts to their
friends or to use upon their special
outings.
Elinor was the source OF these She
had positive genius for such things
She had appealed frankly to Higgins.
and he had backed her like a man.
telling himself he'd risk it for Just
half the chance to plague that old
skiniiint of a Jabez.
Elinor had worked hard. Quietly
she had bought fruit, melons. vege-
tables for preserving and picking
old Mag had helped when she had
time. but that was not often. Elinor
felt that her mounting profits were