The silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1909-1925, 1918-07-30
OLD CLOTHES
~ ELIzAsErH REYNOLDS.
Copyright. 1918. by the Mcclure Newspa-
per syndicate)


New York bankers that came out
West. Jim Kenmore made good with
then. they say, and now she leads In
this town all right-Mrs. James Ken
mOre-as she has on her visiting
cards. Yes. She's stylish enough, but
II ] was her Ia not let my husbands
sister wear old clothes. Why, that
hat she has on wss Avis last win
ter"
"You don't say sol Well. some
folks IL mean. I have heard that Jim
KenmOre's mother was an invalid for
ten years or more. and that this SIS
ter Agatha Kenmore, tended her. Gave
UP all her youth TO her-fve heard
tell. Now her brother gives her a
home in their handsome house, and
she does look nice always. I must say,
even II she does wear her sister-in-
laws old clothes"
An angry flame burned in the cheeks
of an unwilling listener to the above
conversation that took place on an In
ferurban train as II sped through
green country fields toward a flourish
ing town where what were once farm
acres now throve a prosperous bust.
ing "cIty."
Mrs. Kenmore-for the unwilling
listener was she-waited a little be-
hind so that her neighbors might not
see her. She caught a glimpse OF her
sIster-in-law's pleasant smile and bow
to the erstwhlle gossips. Agatha was
always so courteous. as was James
Kenmore also.
Things had prospered with them,
and Avis took credit to herself that
she had in many shrewd ways helped
her husband 10 his success.
For one thing. she was. when there
was occasion for Il, both saving and a
good manager. Now there was no anx.
iety as to money matters. but still the
habit of thrift" as some of her neigh
bors called Il, was strong upon her.
And when Agatha came to live with
them, first IL was q handsome set or
furs that passed over to her sister-in-
Iaw-with excuses-until II had be-
come a habit 10 say: Agatha, that
suit'-or hat or whatever Il might be
lis almost as good as new. But you
know I am getting larger all the time,
and It's q little tight for me. Can't
you fx II up for yourselff"
Her ambition. In her youth. before
the pressing cares came that took all
her energies. was TO become q writer.
She still nursed her dream.
A. uHn 1yaa nrARaN4m@ 20 HalG from
the station to her brothers home. her
sister-inlaw's voice called: Agatha.
the auto Is here to meet a.. We will
ride home" .
"Oh." responded Agatha. II had not
thought of It." Thsn-for she had the
kesnest Of intuitions-"I did not know
you were on the train. sister. / do not
mind walking. you know"
Avis only answer was: agatha. in
future I shall be very much hurt II
you DO not use the car and everything
that 10 your brothers just exactly as
II II were your was I do"
When they reached home dinner was
about ready, and IL was only at bed
time that Avis knocked at her sister
in-law's door. and on being told TO
come in, she walked over 10 the big
closet and said: IF you don't mind,
Agatha, I want to Hosk over your ward
robsr
"No, indeed. that's all right" re
piled Agatha. "You see I nxed up that
pretty mauve chiffon you gave me.
Isn't IL pretty"
Avis reply was 10 take Down from
its hanger the dress In question. and,
putting IL s%arslessly owe her arm. she
said: Agatha. where 10 that old
green cloth coat ! handed to you sew
erai days agor'
Hanging there in the back Of the
closet" Agatha said, BY this time
somewhat mystined.
That. too, was pulled from its hang
or and thrown over q chair back. A hat
box was opened and several hats Joined
the ether articles Of clothing that had
once had former ownership. II was a
naminS-cheeksd woman who. throwing
her arms around her astonished sister
in-iaw. said Agatha. can you forgive
me for my selfish rudsnssSf
"why. I have no idea what you
mean. sister" was the response. what
is the matterf Has someone told you
I did not like your pretty thingsr
"No." responded Avis. somewhat
grimly. you have Aot told me. but I
see with the eyes Of othsrs-some-
times. In future. Agatha. when / 20
In TO own to shop for myself you are
10 come with me. and whatever I get
you are TO have It's equivalent In
value. l am deeply ashamed that I
ever seemed to think otherwise"
Protests were Of no avail. and 30 q
happier order OF things was instituted
But my-your-pretty things" said
Agatha.
"Oh. we'll 20 In town tomorrow and
get everything Aswi" exclaimed Avis.
"But-but-" Agatha hesitsted, II
haven't time for much shopplngl I"
Haven't time" repeated her sister.
in-law. why Of course you have time