The Lamar register., 1917-11-07
"Yes. I see.n

along I'll do your hair, and, for good
ness sake, put on a corset Get out
the one you bought thousand years
ago in Philadelphia. Let out the
strings, but get into 1t somehow"
81 haven't had one on for over two
years"
"You simply have to get into one
now and you must pull II tight enough
10 get into that white muslin dress l
made for you last summer and which
you never wore"
''Very we'll" Mrs. Wilson smiled at
her daughters enthusiasm and tried
to catch the same spirit.
Jane had arranged the flowers to her
own satisfaction when her mother
came downstairs.
81 am sure l can never fasten this
dress; I'm all out of breath now"
Never mind, you won't need any
breath. l am going to do everything.
There you are. Now sit down while
fasten these earrings. There-you look
just like has-been-lady."
Il feel as if were going to be pre-
sented at court"
You are !" said Jane. "Now, moth
er, you must keep that chair because it
is the most comfortable one. | have
placed the best one here for Ted's
mother, so that her back will be TO
the back door. Then this chair fol
Bessie-Bessie is so young and happy
she won't know she isn't comfortable.
She mustn't see behind the door,
either. I'll fetch the kitchen chairs i
painted yesterday. They ought to be
dry now"
This is such lot of trouble, Jane"
Yes. but once In life time. Now,
if you should want something, I'll get
ii. because If you get out Of your chair
you'll forget which one you sat In, and
II you get into one Of the others-all
will be lost"
The stage was all set for the play.
when Ted, with his mother and sister,
drove up to the door The room had
gone through transformation. The
carpet and dainty white curtains, the
ircshly-painted chairs, the tables ar
ranged with books and flowers, a calm
and happy mother and. best of all, a
radiant Jane, presented Il beautiful
picture to even the most critical eye.
Jane noticed puzzled look on the
face of Mrs. Somervllle when she
looked at her mother. As she was
warmly greeting Ted's sister Bessie at
the time, Mrs. Wilson was obliviOus
TO this.
For Il moment Jane was dismayed.
Il wonder II 1t is the earringsT" she
asked herself, but she did not have
time to worry about II, as she had TO
20 out and make the ten. Everything
was going on splendidly. and she was
elated with her success.
Just the thing to do" thought she.
When Jane came in for the last time
she heard Mrs. Somerville ask her
mother, From what part of Pennsyl-
yanin did you come from, Mrs. Will
SOM"
From Elllcuttown," Mrs. Wilson
smiled reminiscently.
"Ellicuttown" gasped Mrs. Somer-
Vile. what was your name before
you were married?"
Grace Tompkins," answered Mrs.
Wilson with surprised look.
"Grace Tompklns, / was sure | had
seen you before. | am Theo Alexan-
der"
"Theo! =" exclaimed the astonished
Mrs. Wilson. "Is it possible? | had
lost track Of you entirely. Why. we
haven't seen each other since the high
school graduation"
Yes, we all went to Europe after
that. Father died there and we just
stayed on until | met Dick SOmerville
in Paris. He was there for a years
study. Then we We're married an |
come to live in Saylorville. and have
been here ever since. You are the
first person from home 1 have met
since we came"
Il am so glad to see you, II en.
Isn't 1t wonderful that our children
met each other?"
Il didn't know any Wilson's in ELL
cuttown." said Mrs. Somerville. $50 the
name did not Impress me-"
My husbands people moved there
several years after you left, Theo. Nj
thaniel found work in the bank to1
confinIng and we came here four years
ago to make our fortune"
Jane stood, with teapot in hand, in
bewildered surprise.
Then | need not have tried to de |
ceive you; you'd have loved mother |