The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1917-03-22
SISTER BELL FIXES up
BY JANE OSBORN.

WOulu keI III III some way, Out IL was
really an easier matter than she had
hoped.
"Im Mr.. Bridges sister. and l want
keys for his apartment" she told the
woman who come up from the base
ment In answer to the ringing Of the
bell marked CANTOR give 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-
motely dreaming that any of "the folks
from home would make him a visit in
his new city abode. He had gone away
on an extended business trip and Sis
ter Bell had chosen the time as oppor-
tune for her fixing-up process.
Fortunately the janitor's wife was
new and green and unsuspiclous. ITS
the third floor 'front.'" Sister Bell told
her, and that was enough. She got the
keys and mounted the stairs to the
wee Observation-Disclosures apart
ment.
The place was small-disappointing-
ly so-she felt at first, but at least it
was full Of conveniences There was
one bedroom just large enough for a
three-quarter bed, a chair and a bu-
reau. No curtains hung at the win
dow-how Sister Bell rejoiced ut her
scheme when she saw all these omis-
sions. The only pictures to be seen
we're two that stood on the bureau
her own and another. "Benson's latest
Girl. Of course OWNED Bell. Though
but eight years older than her twenty.
t~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
md eggs and milk bottles she made
Ter way back up the two long flights
IF stairs for the third time that day.
t was on the last flight that she
turned and looked back at the man
Who had been following her up the
;tairs. She dropped the loaf of bread
md he picked it up for her. Then,
While he was still standing holding it
or her, she opened the door Of the
,partment and stood to take 1t from
lin.
There was q look of momentary sur.
rise in the face of the man which was
explained to Sister Bells satisfaction
When he said: So you are Ben's sis.
er. l have seen your picture-in his
DOM. He's a great boy and l have
,een big-brothering him around a lit.
le." At this Sister Bell shifted some
# her parcels, held a hand out to him
n gratitude and they were friends.
I've been fixing up his place." she
aid. "Since the poor lad has to live
n such close quarters / might as well
ave 1t coy. Perhaps you will come
n sometime this evening and tell me
whether it is progressing to suit a
,achelor." The newcomer promised
md fumbled In his pocket. then turned
md went downstairs with the excuse
# having mislaid his key and needing
o get a duplicate from the janitor.
That evening Martin Stowe kept his
Promise and made his visit Of inspec-
ion.
Every evening. and sometimes in the
morning besides. Mr.. Stowe made an
Reuse to come and see how the work
progressed. Sometimes it was also to
porrow one of Benson's books, some
lines even to get something out Of his
runk that he had left in Benson's
lining room, and as the dining room
.haped itself with inexpensive but eff
tective furniture he took the trunk
back into his own narrow back apart
nent-a mere bedroom with q bath. 1t
vas his within to live in cramped quar-
ers, he told Sister Bell.
The day that Benson came home Mr..
Stowe met him at the station. He
lsked Sister Bell to go with him but
,he said she would rather stay home
md have the k~itchCnette dinner ready
or them on their return. A week had
passed since she had come and there
lad been many changes.
When Benson and Stowe returned
rom the station the explanation was
lot long in coming. OF curse it hadn't
cen Benson's apartment at all. 1t was
stoves, and. Of course, Stowe should
I've told Sister Bell to begin with.
But, manlike, he had not wanted to
ell Benson's sister that the brother
az living in a one-room back apart
~lent wien the sister was disappointed
t the smallness Of the larger one in
he front. When he realized what Sis
er Bell vas really doing he hadn't
vanted to disappoint her. He hoped
somehow that by the time Benson
anne back he would be able to afford
he larger apartment.
"And then I thought that perhaps
sister Bell might consent TO stay mere
with u.s." he said. "What n trio we
would be! We'd let Ben have break
.osts with us too woul5n't ya ."