The Monte Vista journal., 1917-09-15
SISTER BELL Fixes UP
BY JANE OSBORN.

out TO the city to "fX things up" in
protber Benson's apartment that she
would get in in some way. but it was
ros,lv an easier matter than she had
hoped.
arm Mr.. Bridges sister, and l want
rsvs for his apartment" she told the
woman who come up from the base
ment in answer to the ringing Of the
hsu marked "JanitOr." "I've come in
his absence to fix his place up. He
forgot to send me the keys"
of course Benson had never had any
Intention of sending the keys, not re-
motey dreaming that any of "the folks
from home" would make him a visit in
his new city abode. He had gone away
m an extended business trip and Sis
fer Bell had chosen the time as Oppor-
mne for her fxing-up process.
Fortunately the janitor's wife was
new and green and unsuspiciOus. "Its
the third floor front" Sister Bell told
her and that was enough. She got the
teys and mounted the stairs to the
wee three-room m-and-kitchenette apart
ment.
The place was small-disappointing.
" so-she felt at first, but ut least 1t
was full of conveniences. There was
one bedroom just large enough for a
three-quarter bed, chair and a bu.
reau. No curtains hung at the win.
dow-how Sister Bell rejOiced at her
u,
slons. The only pictures to be seen
were two that stood on the bureau
her own and another. "BensOn's latest
grl, of course" OWNED Bell. Though
but eight years older than her twenty.
wo.year-old brother she felt and act
ed the mother to him.
Sister Bell had arrived at ten in the
morning. At four she had her task
mapped out and went in search OF
meat and drink for her solitary supper
With arms full of bread and lettuce
and eggs and milk bottles she made
her way back up the two long flights
of stairs for the third time that day
1t was on the last flight that she
turned and looked back at the man
who had been following her up the
stairs. She dropped the loaf of bread
and he picked 1t up for her. Then
while he was still standing holding II
for her, she opened the door Of the
apartment and stood to take it from
him.
There was look of momentary sur
nris In, hn O., nf faL
explained to Sister Bells satisfaction
when he said: -" So you are Ben's sis
Ter. | have seen your picture-in his
room. He's a great boy and 1 have
Peen bigbrotherlng him around a lit
le." At this Sister Bell shifted some
pf her parcels, held hand out to hin
u gratitude and they We're friends
i've been fixing up his place." She
aid. Since the poor lad has to live
such close quarters l might as wei
ave 1t cozy. Perhaps you will come
sometime this evening and tell me
NEITHER it is progressing to suit 8
achelor." The newcomer promised
nd fumbled in his pocket, then turned
nu went downstairs with the excuse
haVlng mlslaid his key and needing
sel duplicate from the janitOr.
That evening Martin Stowe kept his
folilse and made his visit of inspec
On.
Every evening, and sometimes in the
orhlhg besides, Mr.. Stowe made ar
fcuse to come and see how the work
PROV one Of Benson's books, some
"es even TO get something out of his
uilh That he had left in Benson's
mug foom and us the dining room
0peo itself with inexpensive but eff
'uVe furniture he took the trunk
'n'o MS own narrow back apart
mere bedroom with bath. II
MS Wflm to live in cramped quar-.
he told Sister Bell
me day that Benson came home Mr.
1--WE met him at the station. He
w oster Bell to go with him but
p"'u slle would rather stay home
; nave the kitchenette dinner ready
! a"e'i On their return. A week had
. 'Iu since she had come and there
", oe'u many changes.
: u benson and Stowe returned
q on e s'atlon the explanation was
4 s III coming. OF course it hadn't
o wa'' 'HSoh apartment ut all. 1t was
4 . ana, of course, Stowe should
Il so'u Sister Bell to begin with.
n pa p"n''ke he had not wanted to
OF A.
ID IT uh Wig III one-room back apart.