The Meeker herald., 1918-12-07

Every we'll" Mrs. wilson SMILED at
her daughters enthusiasm and tried
10 catch the same spirit.
Jane had arranged the flowers to her
own satisfaction when her mother
came downstairs.
II am sure 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."
~ feel as II were going to be pre-
sented at court" :.
"You are" said Jane. SNOW, moth
er, you must keep that chair because 1t
In the most comfortable one. l have
placed the best one here for Ted's
mother, so that her back will be to
the back door. Then this chair fol
Bessie-Bessie is 80 young and happy,
she won't know she isn't comfortable.
She mustn't see behind the door,
either. I'll fetch the kitchen chairs i
painted yesterday. They ought to be
dry now"
"This is such lot Of trouble. Jane"
ayes, but once In q life time. Now,
II you should want something. I'll get
It. because II you get out of your chair
you'll forget which one you sat In, and
IL you get into one of the others-all
will be lost I"
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 a transformation. Zhe
carpet and dainty white curtains. the
freshly-pninted chairs, the tables ar
ranged with books and flowers. calm
and happy mother and. best Of all, a.
radiant Jane, presented beautiful
picture 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 oblivious
to this.
For a moment Jane was dismayed.
II wonder II 1t Is the earrings7" she
asked herself, but she did not have
time to worry about 1t, as she had to
20 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 Jane came in for the last time
she heard Mrs. Somerville ask her
mother, "From what part Of Pennsyl-
vania did you come from. Mrs. Will
sOn?"
"From Ellicuttown," Mrs. Wilson
smiled remlniscently.
"Ellicuttown7" gasped MrF. somer-
Vile. "What was your name before
you were marriedf'
"Grace Tompkins," answered Mrs.
Wilson with surprised look.
'-Grace Tornpkins, was sure ! had
seen you before. am Theo Alexan.
der"
.-Theo!" exclaimed the astonished
Mrs. Wilson. els 1t possible7 l had
lost track Of you entirely. Why we
Invent seen each other since the high
school graduation"
Eyes, We all went to Europe after
that. Father died there and we just
stayed on until I met Dick Somerville
In Paris. He was there for years
study. Then we were married AMI
come to live in Snylorvllle, and have
been here ever since. You are the
FIRST person from home have met
since we came"
II am 10 glad to see you, Tteo.
Isn't 1t wonderful that our children
met each 0therr'
81 didn't know any Wilson's In ELL
cuttown," said Mrs. Somerville. $50 the
name did not impress me-
MY husbands people moved there
several years after you left. Theo. Ne
thaniel found work In the bank TOD
combining and we came here four years
| ago to make our fortune"
jane stood. with teapot In hand. 10
bewildered surprise.
"Then need not have tried to de-
ceive you; you'd have loved mother
anyway"
Ted sprang to her side and put a
protecting arm around her.
"what is 1t, dearT he tenderly In.
quired.
II know you'll all despise me. l
made mother pretend We had more
rooms-and the stove Is out Of doors
and we would be taken for Hill BIZ.
lys-nnd-I did 1t ALI"
Ted took the teapot from the excit-
ed and weeping girl and seated her in
a chair. Turning to Mrs. Wilson, he
asked:
"what Is Jane talking aboutf'
Mrs. Wilson. between smiles and
tears, told Of James struggles of the
morning and Of her fears lest, being
found in the old shack with scant
furniture. her parents would be looked
down upon by the great Mrs. somer-
Vile.
At this everybody laughed and Ted
loudest Of all.
"why, that's plucky, Jane. By
i -As- -.