The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-07-05
PEA RIDGE AFFAIR


don they can do" Sister 10 Brown
said to her gossip, Sister Willy.
There were seven Sisters BrowI In
Pea Ridge church, differentiated &C
rording to husbands past or present.
Sister 10 was a widow, with an only
and beloved son, by way OF make
weight to a houseful of daughters.
Half the girls had married. the others
had embraced the policy OF watchful
waiting.
Octavius, son and brother, was SEN
sitive over their methods-so much so
that he fought shy of asking men
friends to the house. He was inGeed
shy over most things-the reverse,
quite, of his masterful mother, who
felt herself able at the slightest notice
to second the plans and expound the
purposes Of anything from the state
legislature to divine Providence.
Hence, with her wisdom admitted at
fault, the case must be desperate. In
deed, II looked so to Mrs. Ware and
Leda, her daughter. Rather helpless,
both Of them-because Aunt Susan
had always taken care of them. Now
she was dead and the bank had failed,
20 there was only their place to de-
pend on. It was small place, with
good house. TO be sure. hut only gar
den, a paddock. a bit of orchard and
4 few acres in grass. 1t would hardly
, yield a living to an Industrious farmer
able to work IL early and late. What
could It prove but an expense greater
than rent TO a couple of women who
had neither strength nor knowledge7
Oddly. nobody thought Of matrimony
as an ark Of refuge, notwithstanding
Leda was pretty and amIable.
Leda was properly penitent. Both
women cried no little over their help
lessness. and sat at home through
Christmas and New Year, trying not
to be hurt by the unusual largesse of
their neighbors.
Eve are not starving-yet," Leda
said. choking. as she put away the
third batch Of pies they had received
in one morning. besides the loaf OF
gingerbread. and the wedges of plum
cake. only hope they will spare
us broken bits Of food. NANNY. It's
all wrong--not being grateful but
somehow I wish they had at least
waited"
Don't fret, daughter. Our turn will
come" Mrs. Ware said but with
sinking heart for all her brave words.
To comfort herself she went our aud
lifted the sash Of the smallest pit. 1t
was sacred to early bulbs--jonquiis
hyacinths, narcissus. She forgot her
troubles instantly In her JOY at finding
at least dozen unexpectedly In flower
--jonquils and Roman hyacinths. Ex-
citedly she shipped each blossom, rem
inside. laying them delcately together,
and calling. lie, LIE, Come take
these TO Miss Allen, Don't let her
think it's to pay her for her mince-
meat--it isn't-she sent II just as We
would have done. being as poor her
self. But she has 10 stay so close at
hon,e-and loves flowers. Make haste.
child. And hurry hack want you
to help me lift the heavier sash"
Miss Alien was the dressmaker
Leda. hearing Miss Allen was busy.
did not sec her. but sent In her gift by
the GRAND Indeed she was busy
upon her knees. shipping and PIN
ninv ard squirting nj d very fine frock.
draping very fine lady--Mrs. Carr.
OF the Glen. who had ordered the frock
from the city. and upon getting II had
changed her mind as to how she want
ed II trimmed in parts.
FLOWERS this time Of the year !,
You're extravagant. Miss Allen she
said with certain good-natured hau-
teur upon seeing the scluster When
their source was explained, she looked
thoughtful. II wonder--could l get
some for my table7 You know we
have dinner party Saturday" she
said. Those I order are always SO
fragile-they wither while you look
at them"
''T'll find out" said Miss Allen.
She did. And thus began the rift
In the cloud for the Wares. They had
enough to live on year. by very close
pinching. By the end of 1t they had
violet frames full of flowers. pitfuls Of
early bulbs. and roses ALLOW in the
fASSh hpNSCs IAi Ss AAIt was iuttt SSN-
ed in them, holding them her discov-
cry. therefore her protegces. AS such
che took It upon herself to make q
match betwixt Leda and Octavius.
Mrs. Carr had a house party at the
New-Year holidays. Therefore she
took all the flowers the Wares could
cut. and asked further that Leda
should come up and arrange them
about the rooms. when a gay voice
sounded at her elbow, mo fair Miss
Leda," said Linly Carr. nephew Of the
house and heir presumptive. whats
this hear-that you're going to take
Ocky Brown? I don't believe 1t! I
wont! Tell nue. II isn't SO =.
1T Is not-Ocky can run much fast
er than l." Leda snid suddenly, dim.
ping. Linly had come near to being
her sweetheart back in the happy
days. He bent near and nearer. look
ing into her eyes. down at her roughed
fingers. her little, coarsely shod feet.
md said with laugh Of triumph: