The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1917-09-21

dows. mo curtains! Mother, haven.
you any"
1--WE never had the heart to make
curtains for room like this" replied
Mrs. Wilson, forlornly.
Jane ran to an old chest OF drawers,
relic OF better days, and took out a
bolt Of white material belonging to
her wedding outfit. Now, we'll have
curtains for all these windows. The
view over the mountains will be lovely
and well have lots Of flowers"
Jane had called in a couple OF the
men working in the orchard to carry
the kitchen stove out to the back OF
the house.
You see," she instructed, when !
go in and out for the tea things It will
look as thought we had kitchen Que
there, besides keeping this room per.
fectly COOL"
Yes, l see."
Now, mother, you run upstairs and
I'll finish. When you get far enough
along I'll do your hair, and for good.
ness sake put on a corset. Get out one
of those you bought in Philadelphia
years ago. Let out the strings, but
get into it somehow"
Il haven't had one on for over two
years"
you simply have got to get into
one now and you must pull it tight
enough to get into that white muslin
dress made for you last summer and
which you never wore"
Very we'll Mrs. Wilson smiled at
har dlnphtar'c anthucios,, .,;aJ
to catch the same spirit.
Jane had arranged the flowers to
her own satisfaction when her mother
came downstairs.
Il am sure l can never fasten this
dress; I'm all out OF breath now"
Never mind, you won't need any
breath. 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 l were going to be pres
ented at court"
You are!" said Jane. Now, moth.
er. you must keep that chair because
1t 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 for Bessie
Bessie is so young and happy, she
won't know it isn't comfortable. She
mustn't see behind the door, either. I'll
fetch the kitchen chairs l painted yes.
terday They ought to be dry now
This Is such lot Of trouble, Jane"
Yes, but once in lifetime. Now,
If you should want something, I'll get
it, because If you get out of your chair
you'll forget which one you sat in and
If 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
freshly painted chairs, the table ar.
ranged with books and flowers, calm
and happy mother and, best of all, a
radiant Jane, presented picture beau
titul to even the most critical eye.
Jane noticed puzzled look on the
face of Mrs. Somerville when she
looked at her mother. AS she was
warmly greeting Teds. sister Bessie
at the time, Mrs. Wilson was obvious
to this.
For a moment Jane was dismayed.
Il wonder if it is the earrings?' she
asked herself, but she did not have
time to worry about it, as she had to
go out and make the tea. Everything
was going on splendidly, and she was
elated with her success.
Just the thing to do" thought She
When Grace came in for the last
time she heard Mrs. Someryille ask
her mother, From what part Of Penn
sylvania did you come. Mrs. Wilson,"
From Ellicuttown," Mrs. Wilson
smiled reminiscently.
"Ellicuttown gasped Mrs. Somer.
vile. What was your name before
you were married."
Grace Tompkins," answered Mrs.
Wilson with a surprised look.
Grace Tompkins, l was sure l had
seen you before. ! am Theo Alexan.
der"
"Theo!" exclaimed the astonished
Mrs. Wilson. is it possible? l 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 there until | met Dick Somer.
vile in Paris. Then we were married
and came to live in Saylorville and