The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1916-11-25

youth, which haven't. I'm past forty.
In the next twenty years, at the out
side, I've got not only to support N.Y.
self but to save something to keep
me after that, if live"
Sidney returned her gaze steadily
II see. Well, Aunt Harriet, you're
quite right. You've been saint to
US, but if YOU want to go away"
'Harriet!" walled Mrs. Page, you're
not thinking"
''Please, mother"
Harriet's eyes softcned as she looked
at the girl.
eve can manage" said Sidney quiz
city. well miss YOU, but its time
we learned to depend on ourselves"
After that, in a torrent, came uarri-
cts declaration of independence. And,
mixed with its pathetic tumble of re-
crimiNations, hostility to her sisters
dead husband, and resentment for her
lost years, came poor Harriet's hopes
ind ambitions, the tragic plea of
woman who must substitute for the op-
timism and energy of youth the grim
determination Of middle age.
Il can do good work." she finished.
I'm full of ideas, if could get
chance to work them out. But there's
no chance here. There isn't a woman
on the Street who knows real clothes
when she sees Them"
Mrs. Page could not get back of
Harriet's revolt to its cause. To her,
Harriet was not an artist pleading for
her art; she was u sister and bread
winner deserving her trust.
'I'm sure" she said stiffly, tive paid
you back every cent we borrowed. If
you stayed here after George died, it
was because you offered to-
Her chin worked. She fumbled for
the handkerchief ut her belt. But Sid
ney went around the table and flung Il
young arm over her aunt's shoulders.
why didn't you say all that year
ago? We've been selfish, but we're
not as bad as you think. And if any
one in this world is entitled to success
you are. OF course We'll manage"
Harriet's iron repression almost gave
way. She covered her emotion with
details:
Mrs. Lorenz is going to let me
make Christine some things, and if
they're all right, may make her trous-
seau."
''TrOusseau-for Christine!"
"She's not engaged, but her mother
says it's only matter of Il short time.
I'm going to take two rooms in the
business part of town, and put IL couch
In the back room to sleep on"
Sidney's mind flew to Christine and
her bright future, to Il trOusscnu
bought with the Lorcnz money, to
Christine settled down, u married wom-
an, with Palmer Howe. She came back
with an effort. Harriet had two triun-
gular red spots In her sullow cheeks.
II can get few good models-thnt's
the only way to start. And if you care
TO do handwork for me, Anna, I'll send
1t to you, and pay you the regular
rates. There isn't the call for it there
used to be, but just IL touch gives
dash.'
All of Mrs. Pages grievances had
worked their way to the surface. Sid
ney and Harriet had made her world,
such as it was, and her world was in
revolt. She flung out her hands.
Il suppose l must do something
With you leaving. and Sidney renting
her room and sleeping on II folding
bed in the sewing room, everything
seems upside down. | never thought
[ should live to see strange men running
In and out of this house and carry
Ing latchkeyS." This reference to lie
Moyne, whose tall figure had made Il
hurried exit some time before.
Harriets eyes We're brighter already
us she went out. Sidney, kissing her
In the hall and wishing her luck, real
lied suddenly what IL burden she and
her mother must have been for the last
few years. She threw her head up
proudly. They would never be Il bur-
den agnin-never, as long as she had
strength and health!
BY evening Mrs. Page had worked
herself into state bordering on hys-
terra. Harriet was out most of the day.
She came in at three O'Clock, and Ka-
tie gave her cup Of tea. At the news
Of her sisters condition, she merely
shrugged her shoulders.
"Shell not die, Katie" she said
calmly. "But see that Miss Sidney
eats something, and If she is worried
tell her l said to get Doctor Ed"
Very significant of Harriet's altered
outlook was this casual summoning Of
the Streets family doctor. She Wa
already dealing In larger figures. The
recklessness of pure adventure was in
her blood. She had taken rooms ut q
rental that she determinedly put out
OF her mind, and she was on her way
to buy furniture. No pirate, fitting out
a ship for the highways of the sea,
ever experienced more guilty and de-
1ightful excitement.
The afternoon dragged away. Doc
tor Ed was "0ut on case" and might
not be in until evening. Sidney sat in the
darkened room and waved fan over
her mothers rigid form. At half past
five Johnny Resented, from the alley,
who worked for a florist after school,
brought box Of roses, and departed
grinning impishly. He knew Joe, had
seen him in the store. Soon the alley
knew that Sidney had received dozen
Killarney roses at three dollars and q