The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1916-08-09

comb. Hes shiftless He dawdles
about the place most afternoons,
smoking. Doesn't he work."
Il didn't ask him. But he's nice
with sudden spirit. Indeed, I'm
sure all the people in the building
are just fine. Take the family
across the hall"
Those noisy children drive me
crazy" broke in Mrs Holcomb.
Their mother must be a ho-account
not 10 tend 10 them"
Then" went on Mary, unmindful
OF the outburst. there's the young
couple at the end OF the hall
That young woman is a harum-
scarum," declared Mrs. Holcomb.
And she feeds her husband Canned
stun. It's awful the cans see go
In there. When we we're first mar
ried your father didn't sSffer.'
You don't know" defended Mary.
This young woman may have come
right from once work. Anyway, this
isn't Medbury. where you can't put
your nose outside the door without
exchanging recipes with some one.
think this young woman looks lone
ly"
'"Pouf." snorted Mrs. Holcomb,
turning TO her work irritably. Don I
bother me about the people here,
Mary. don't want 10 know them
There came a hesitating tap on
the door. Mary opened 1t and look.
ed down on a small boy shyly twist
ing a corner OF his coat why,
nello," she exclaimed. recognizing
one OF the children fSom across the
hall What can | do for you?"
Annie says will you please lend
her a egg" he got out with one
bre"'h.
Il surely will" answered Mary.
Then sudden thought coming:
What's your name!"
William Henry Smith" he re-
piled. But everybody calls me
Bill
Mary smiled. We'll. Bill, come
in"
She led him to her mother. This
is our neighbor Bill Smith" she
said. He says Annie wants TO Dor
row an egg"
For a moment Mrs. Holcomb
glared al him. Then she asked.
frowning deeply: Who is Annie.
and what does she want with an
egg"
She's my sister" answered Bill
Smith, land she wants TO make a
custard TO take my mother. My
mothers been Ia the hospital an
awful long time. But she's comm
home soon" he chuckled with "A
smile. ""Tain't no cinch without n
feller's mother"
"Humph," Mary looked around
quickly Mrs. Holcomb was staring
down at Bill Smith very queerly.
Suddenly she hustled into the pan
try returning In a moment with two
eggs. Here" said she, tell Annie
TO use two eggs. Whoever heard OF
making a civilized custard with one!
| Run long now and-wait a minute!
She glanced al Mary, staring with
amazing interest out the window;
then she whispered mysteriously and
Bill Smith waited a moment. Mary
made no comment at suppertime,
when only a small portion ora fresh.
ly baked apple pie graced the table.
The next day Mary left college
earlier than usual. She went home
directly. As she opened the door
voices came TO her from the kitchen
and her mothers laugh. which she
had not heard for long time. She
paused. She heard her mother say.
There's nothing in the world finer
for invslds than Irish moss jelly If
its made right. Now. Annie"
Mary approached to where she
could view the kitchen. Her mother
stood by the table. Annie beside
her, watching her every move. The
younger Smith children, particularly
Bill. were making inroads on a fine
chocolate cake, while the bride from
down the hall sat asking questions.
Mary stepped into the room as
though the scene before her was the
most natural thing in the world.
She did not glance at her embsr.
raised mother as she stood a mo.
ment talking with the bride.
MY, was glad to meet your
mother this morning" she ex.
claimed. I've just been dying 10
ask her things. she looked so home
like. You know, all I know Is Office
work and" MARY darted triumph
ant glance at her mother) I've made
SO many mistakes cooking But
wait until Mrs. Holcomb gets
through with me! Already shes
shown me how to make the dandies.
meat pie"
Mary left them to their Jelly max
| ing, and as her mothers hearty
laugh came to her frequently she
murmured Thank the Lord for BIZ
| Smith"
That day marked the adoption OF
the Smiths and the bride by MIS-.
Holcomb She practically took all
responsibility OF Armies shoulders,
and before long canned goods and
| haknrv yoOds naaaed IN offend her