The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1918-06-15
OLD CLOTHES
BY ELIZABETH REYNOLDS.
opyright, 1918, by the Mcclure NewsI
per Syndicate.)

Eyes, she has on the old blue velvet
cen dress that Avis Kenmore brought
back with her from Chicago that win
ter she gave her big party for those
New York bankers that came out
West. Jim Kenmore made good with
them, 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
If 1 was her I'd not let my husbands
sister wear old clothes. Why, that
hat she has on was Avis last win
ter"
"You don't say so! Well, some
folks is 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-T've heard
tell. Now her brother gives her a
home In their handsome house, and
she does look nice always. l must say,
even If 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
terurban train as it sped through
green country fields toward a flourish
Ing town where what were once farm
acres now throve a prosperous bust
ing "clty."
Mrs. Kenmore-for the unwilling
listener was she-waited a little be-
hind so that her neighbors might not
zee her. She caught a glimpse of her
s~ister-in-law's pleasant smile and bow
to the erstwhile 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 to his success.
For n thing, she was, when there
was occasion for 1t, 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 it, was strong upon her.
And when Agatha came to live with
them, first 1t was a handsome set OF
furs that passed over to her sister-in-
law-with eXcuses-until IL had be-
come a habit to say: Agatha, that
sult"-or hat or whatever it might be
Ills almost as good as new, but you
know I an getting larger all the time,
and it's a little tight for me. Can't
you fix 1t up for yourself?"
Her ambition, in her youth, before
the pressing cares came that took all
her energies, was to become a writer.
She still nursed her dream.
AS she was preparing to walk from
the station to her brothers home, her
s~ister-ln-Iaw's voice called: agatha,
the auto Is here to meet us. We will
ride home"
"Oh," responded Agatha. 81 had not
thought of It," Then-for she had the
keenest of i~ntuitions-'T did not know
you were on the train, sister. I do not
mind walking, you know"
Avis only answer was: Agatha, in
future 1 shall be very much hurt If
you do not use the car and everything
that Is your brothers just exactly as
If it were your own-as I do"
When they reached home dinner was
about ready, and it 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 TO the big
closet and said: IF you don't mind,
Agatha, l want to Took over your ward
robe !"
mo, indeed, that's all right" re-
-1..l III. uUo.. .aN 7 R-ro1 ,,o NIok
pretty mauve chiffon you gave me.
Isn't It pretty"
Avis reply was to take down from
its hanger the dress in question, and,
putting it carelessly ver her arm, she
said: Agatha, where is that old
green cloth coat I handed to you sew
eral days ago?"
Hanging there In the back of the
closet" Agatha said, by this time
somewhat mystlfied.
That. too. was pulled from its hang
er and thrown yer a chair back. A hat
box was opened and several hats Joined
the other articles of clothing that had
once had former ownership. 1t was a
laming-cheeked woman who, throwing
her arms around her astonished sister
in-law, said Agatha, a you forgive
me for my selfish ~rudeness?"
"Why. l have no idea what you
mean, sister," was the response. what
Is the matter? Has someone told you
1 did not like your pretty things"
"No," responded Avis, somewhat
grlmly, 'you have not told me, but
see with the eyes of others-some-
times. In future, Agatha, when 1 go
in TO town to shop for myself you are
to come with me, and whatever 1 get
you are to have its equivalent in
value. l am deeply ashamed that
ever seemed to think otherwise"
Protests were of no avail, and so q
happier order of things was instituted
"But my-your-pretty thingsp said
Agatha.
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