South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-04-12
My QuiUer and Bow
By B. F. Pierce

Marjorie opened one box after
another. each heaped with fragrant
blossoms. 10 was her birthday and
many ardent swains had sent sweet
messages Of uHdyiHg love and de-
otion.
Dear old Sis. It's a shame that
YOU haven't anybody 10 send flow
ers 20 you said the girl sympa-
tnctically passing q bunch Of yiolets
across the breakfast table. Take
these. They're from Dick He's in
Chicago and he'll never know that
/ didn't wear them myself"
Jean smiled indulgently and shook
her head. II don't expect attention
when / have such an attractive lit
tie sister. / have reached the un-
interesting age when I am known
as an "old girl" such an appella-
zion has a terrible sting, 10 means
that one as practically no value
in the matrimonial market
silly" laughed Marjorie. you
ought 10 fuss up "a little. wear one
Of those pretty. youthful frOcks and
get a beau. YouU be 30 on your
next birthday and I don't want YOU
20 be an old maid" Then she went
running 20 answer the telephone,
which was ringing insistenty
Jean summoned the one little
maid OF all work and gave her or
ders for the day before beginning
Eer own tasks OF bed making and
cleaning their small apartment she
knew well enough that Marjorie
would leave the telephone only 70
hurry into some street clothes and
rush out 10 exhibit her floral tributes
her idle friends. For years Jean had
been father. mother. everything 10
the pretty sister who had just so
lightly said, Il don't want you 10
be an old maid" The older girl
knew deep i'm her heart that she
was approaching spinsterhood just
because OF that same spoiled little
sister. For Tom Burton had want
ed to marry her but was not willing
10 take Marjorie along i'm the bar
gain. jean had denied herself
everything in order 10 give the
young girl all the Injuries that her
little social set were accustomed TO
expect. and took for granted; so the
years had slipped by and Jean be-
came known among her friends
merely as "a dear old girl" so self
sacrificing. you know"
When she had busted the dainty
ivory accessories on MariOrie's
dressing table and turned 10
strairhten up her own room with its
plain clumsy old bureau of golden
oak, Jean suddenly felt hotly re-
bellious She had given up every
thing for Marjorie and now that
young lady had told her coolly that
she did not want her sister To be an
old maid. As if there were some
sort Of stigma imposed on the state
OF single blessedness for a woman,
She had been skimping along. saw
ing 10 buy Marjorie supply of
lovely spring clothes Now she de
ciGed 10 go right 10 town and spend
part OF the amount ON herself. She
would take the advice so lightly
and carelessly. given to fuss up a
little" Yes, she would wear one of
those pretty, youthful frocks and get
"a beau. Her thoughts ran on reck-
lessly. Who would pay the piper
If she danced For once. she would
leave that matter 20 fate.
isis dear. I'm going out in "a
few minutes 10 meet some girls. /
promised Fred 10 lunch with him.
then TN be back 10 change my flow
ers before / go 10 the matinee with
Larry He would die if i didn't
wear his orchids and lilies. I won't
r'ind bit If YOU wear those violets
You San fool people and make them
think you have "a beau. anyway"
So thoughtless youth lightly tos-
sed roses. with prickly thornsl
When Marjorie mad gone, icon
opened her sisters wardrobe. She
calmly borrowed the soft gray fox
furs and fascinating gray Geor-
gette tOque. with a bit OF Paradise
that blew airily in trent. She pin
ned the violets - which she knew
selfish Marjorie had rot expected
her TO take-on her we'll brushed
black suit and set out on an adven-
ture of her own.
she went TO the best tailor i'm
town where she ordered new
spring suit. then turned TO a tiny
french shop. where she bought
very youthful little hat. one OF the
first models from over the sea 1t
was only when she paused before
florists. where she had planned to
select and order some flowers sent
20 herself. that she began 20 realize
just how silly she was allowing her
self TO be, because her little sister
had been unkind.
That window looks like spring
and sets even an old mans fancy
hshtiy turning TO thoughts OF love,
Why. ] thought YOU were Marjorie,'
said deep masculine voice at her
ear.
Jean looked up lGughulglv AT the