The Meeker herald. [volume] (Meeker, Colo.) 1885-current, 1918-05-25

you never wore
every WELL" Mrs. wilson smiled al
her daughters enthusiasm and tried
to 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. I am going to do everything.
There you are. Now sit down while !
fasten these earrings. There-you look
Just like II hus-been-lady."
~ feel as II 1 were going to be pre-
scented ut court"
"You are!" said Jane. "Now. moth
er. you must keep that chair because 1t
IL the most comfortable one. have
placed the best one here for red's
mother, 80 that her back will be to
the back door. Then this chuir fol
Eessie-Bessie Is so 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 l
painted yesterday. They ought to be
dry now"
"ThIs Is such lot of trouble. Jane"
Eyes, but once In life time. Now,
II you should want something, I'll get
1t, because II you get out Of your chuir
you'll forget which one you sat In, and
II you get Into one Of the Others-nll
will be lost!'
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 transformation. The
carpet and dainty white curtains, the
freshly-painted chairs. the tables ar
ranged with books and flowers, u calm
and happy mother and, best Of all, II
radiant Jane. presented beautiful
picture to even the most critical eye.
Jane noticed puzzled look on the
face of Mrs. Somervllle when she
looked at her mOthek As she was
warmly greeting Ted's sister Bessie at
the time. Mrs. Wilson was oblivious
to this.
For a moment June was dlsmayed.
II wonder II 1t Is the earrings?" she
asked herself, but she did not have
time to worry about 1t. as she had to
90 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 cume in for the last time
she heard Mrs. SOmerville ask her
mother. "F'rom what part Of Pennsyl-
vnnia did you come from, Mrs. Will
SOM"
"From Ellicuttown," Mrs. Wilson
smiled rcminiscently.
"Ellicuttown3" gasped Mrs. Somer-
vile. "What was your name before
you were marriedi"
"Grace Tompkins." answered Mrs.
Wilson with surprised look.
"Grace TOmpkins, l was sure l Ind
seen you before. I am Theo Alexan-
der"
'TheO!" exclaimed the astonishcd
Mrs. Wilson. as 1t possible? l had
lost truck of you entirely. Why. we
haven't 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 met Dick Somerville
in Paris. He was there for a years
study. Then we were married AMI
cpme to live in Saylorville. and have
been here ever since. You are the
first person from home 1 have met
since we came"
II am SO glad to see you, Tteo.
Isn't 1t wonderful that our children
met each other?"
II didn't know any Wilson's In ELL
cuttown," said Mrs. Somerville. 80 the
name did not Impress me-"
"My husbands people moved there
several years after you left. TheO. NJ
thanIel found work In the bank TOD
combining and we came here four years
ngO to make our fortune"
Jnne stood, with teapot In hand, In
bewildered surprise.
"Then need not have tried to de-
ceive you; you'd have loved mother
anyway"
Ted sprang to her side and put q
protecting arm around her.
"What is 1t, dearf" he tenderly In
Quired.
| II know you'll all despise me.
made mother pretend we had more
rOOms-and the stove Is out of doors
md we would be taken for Hill BIZ
lys-nnd-I did 1t all!"
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 aboutT'
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
lOI1flest Of nil