Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1917-05-04
The Business Of
Living "a ~ p
NJ Ane EVA EnMAan
SEVEN DOLLARS LOOKS BIG TO
ELEANOR.
BY MRS. EVA LEONARD.

where's Mother?" This was always
Douglas first question II Eleanor was
not in evidence when he arrived at
home.
she went downtown, answered
Jack. "She started as soon as l got
home from school. She said she would
be back at five. and it is half-past
five now"
She will be here soon, no doubt.
Something happened to detain her."
The tone was resigned. but rather
doleful. did she leave any directions
about dinner ?" he added. Jack shook
his head
"Tll tell you what will look good to
Mother when she comes in tired and
late. You and Margaret have the table
all set. It looks as If things were I'M
der way. Then you will be free to
help her in every way you can when
she comes"
Douglas took up the baby, who had
begun to fret for 1t was near his feed
ing time. He had been frail ana con-
sequently fretful ever since his severe
sick spell, and had been fed with the
regularity of clockwork. He knew
i
that kept Eleanor beyond the baby's
feeding time. He watched the hands
creeping around the dial. Six o'clock,
a quarter past, and no Eleanor. Doug
las began to be uneasy, and the baby
set up a lusty cry. 1t would not do
to have him get all heated up crying
just before he ate. What should he
| 40? He rose and carrying the baby
went to reconnoiter. Eleanor had al
ways prepared the different feelings of
his varied diet in the morning. He
heard the front door close and the
| children shouted In chorus, Here she
is! Here's Mother" and rushed to
meet her as II she had been gone for
weeks.
| Douglas went to meet her with the
crying baby, exclaiming. what kept
| you, dear?"
1T is long story. I can't ten you
| now" Eleanor was trembling with
excitement. She rushed off to heat
the baby's food before taking off her
wraps. After she put the food on the
stove she pulled off her coat and hand
cd it to Jack to hang up.
Here, give the darling baby to me, "
she cried spreading an apron over
her lap. He is so hungry. Mother
poor lamb" Douglas handed over the
baby and then unpinned the hat that
the hurried mother had not had time
to remove.
Now tell US about your trip while
you feed the baby" He sat down by
her side to listen.
~ do hate to go downtown 30 late,
but there were some things I could
not get along without till Saturday,
when Jack Is here all day. had plan
ned my trip so carefully that 1 felt
sure could be back in time to get the
baby's food ready, and I should have
made it II I had not lost my hand
bag"
Lost your handbag" chorused the
listening family.
WAS there much money in it 2"
asked her husband
Seven dollars!" The tone was
tragic.
How did 1t happen"
"Oh, / do not know. I suppose 1t
was because was hurrying SO fast.
l did not miss it until I got onto the
car to come home. When I went to
IL
voice trembled and she was evidently
near tears.
What did you do? You had no car
fare"
Not a cent. OF course I had to
get off the car. I went back to the
store which I had Just left. OF course
they had seen nothing OF 1t. Then l
hurried around to the office, hoping to
find you there, but you had gone"
"Was there no one there to help you
! out; no one You could borrow of 90
The tone was full of sympathy. Flea
nor shook her head and put her hand
kerchief to her eyes.
II knew no one there, but I had to
get home and thought It would be bet
| ter to ask a stranger who knew you
than one who had never heard of either
Of US. There was a young man there
putting on his coat to leave. told
him what a predicament I was in and
he was so kind; he gave me a quarter
and put me onto a car"
ut must have been Friedly. He is
one Of the men who is coming here
to dinner Thursday. am glad you
met him. He is a nice fellow"
Il am glad Of that. But oh, Douglas,
think Of losing seven dollars when
there are 40 places to put every dol
lar. can't forgive myself for such
| carelessness."
Don't think about 1t. We will make
1t up some way" Douglas took the
tired, aching head between his hands
and kissed the throbbing temples.
(To be continued)