The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1918-11-05

CHI, how coed 1t does seem to be hack
on solid earth again! The hum drum
but comfortable days take on a tint
of actual novelty. Safety becomes
poignant delight.
Edith rearranged her household
money to meet the new scale. John
now made her an allowance OF $25
week. She felt rich at first, espe-
cially since the garden was actually
producing its little quota toward the
family assets. But another letter came
from her brother, Edgar Flowerton,
urging her to find the money somehow
for his wonderful water heater. which
awoke Edith to financial realities
again.
| Il suppose" said John when she
preached the subject-confidently this
time. for he had given his promise to
look into Edgar's inventionv"that we
had better ask him to visit US for a
week or So He'll have to bring his
model and plans and things. I'll have
Blake and other fellows know ex-
anime it." And he rushed for his
morning train.
Edith's sister-heart glowed with the
anticipation of mothering Ned once
more She hadn't seen the boy for
years; and after all. there were just
the two of them now They ought to
hang together 80 Poor little old
Ned who used always to be making
fire engines out of his mothers pans
and egg beaters! And getting scolded
or spanked whenever Edith wasn't
able to take the blame or think OF a
way out!
So she wired Edgar to Come at
once. Bring everything. We shall
help you. darling" And hustled about
like a pretty hen making nest ready
; for her new chick.
Before night a telegram arrived:
Thanks. Wire $50 Immediately.
Board and travelling expenses. Ned"
The message came collect. Edith
paid the boy. who departed on his
bicycle. whistline. after the irrespon-
sifle manners of conveyors of news
which does not affect them. Edith
locked after him as he snla shed his
wheel delightedly through the rain
pools and wondered how she should
lay Immediately hands on SEQ.
If she went to town herself the
savings bark whore her few dollars
were stored would be closed. She
had never borrowed of her neighbors.
Probably more Of the available ones
wep'd have that on hand anyway. Nor
would she ask the butcher, as Lillian
Blake often did when she was short.
Her eyes strayed to the desk where
her husbands Hapers and business
memoranda made a sort of neat litter
Right on top where he had laid it for
a moment was the carefully counted
out money for the rent and telephone
-forgotten in his rush for the train.
A quick search through her purse and
handbag Melted Edith enough besides
in cash to exc out the $50 Edgar had
wired for
Sitting a howl of protest from her
conscience, Edith took the little pie
of bills and hurried to the telegraph
office Not until after he had sent
Edgar the money ard words of cheer !!
and welcome did Edith feel sort of
drag upon her spirits Always the |
struggle for money! Always some un- !
expected expense and no funds t. !
meet it! Always the sacrifice both |
material and moral. when finally the i
expense was covered! Must it be for
ever like this? Was it written in her |
stars always to be poor and plodding?
Was it?
she tea john about the rent money !
that evening and her face burned as
he made no answer. Edith prayed in
her heart that some day her brother |
would make good-wculd move him /
self the boy she believed him to be. |
ard repay, ave, and far more. what |
she had urged John to do for him
Before the end of the week Brother
Edgar arrived. AS Edith took him
into her arms at the station, raining
tears Of joy upon his natty clothes, |
she felt all the confidence of mother
in her son. His past failures were for
gotten. Her hand some. brilliant. easy
hammered young idol could not be 3
failure! Surely the gods had favored
him with genius! He would make
them all rich-scme day!
(To be continued)