Omaha daily bee., 1918-09-02
Author OF "Pollyanna."

the Red Sea before they ever came
to Hillerton," she fumed with sudder
vehemence as she entered her own
gate.
CHAPTER XIV.
From Me to You With Love.
1t was certainly a gay one--that
holiday week. Beginning with the
James Blaisdells' housewarming, j,
was one continuous round of dances
dinners, sleigh rides and skating par.
ties for Hillerton's young people, par
ticularly for the Blaisdells, the Pen
nocks and the Gaylords.
Mr.. Smith, at Miss Maggie's, saw
comparatively little of it all, though
he had almost daily reports from
! Benny. Mellicent, or Miss Flora. who
came often to Miss Maggie's for a
little chat. 1t was from Miss Flora
that he learned the outcome of Melli-
cents present to her mother. The
week was past, and Miss Flora had
come down to Miss Maggies for a
Mr.. Smith Adll worked at the table
in thes corner of the living room
though the Duff-Blaisdell records
were all long ago copied. He was at
work sorting and tabulating other
Blaisdell records. Mr.. Smith seemed
to find no end to the work that had
to be done on his Blaisdell book.
As Miss Flora entered the room
she greeted Mr.. Smith cordially, and
dropped into a chair,
Well, they've gone at last" she
painted, handing her furs to Miss
Maggie; so l thought I'd come
down and talk things over. No. don't
go, Mr.. Smith" she begged, as he
made a move toward departure. Il
hain't come to say nothin' private;
besides, you're just like one Of the
family, anyhow. Keep right on with
your work, please"
Thus entreated, Mr.. Smith went
back to his table, and Miss Flora
settled herself more comfortably in
Miss Maggie's easiest chair.
$50 they're all gone," said Miss
Maggie cheerily.
"Yes; an it's time they did, to my
way of thinkin'. Mercy me, what a
week it has beenl They hain't been
still minute, not one of 'em, except
for few hours sleep toward
mornin."
But what a good time they've
had| exulted Miss Maggie.
Eyes. And didn't it do your soul
good to see Mellicent? But Jane
Jane nearly had fit. She told Melli-
cent that all this gayety was nothing
but froth and flimsiness and vexation
of spirit. That she knew it because
she'd been all through il when she
was young. and she knew the vanity
of it. And Mellicent--what do you
suppose that child saide"
y II can't imagine" smiled Miss
Maggie.
"She said she wanted to see the
vanity of it, too. Pretty cute Of her,
too, wasn't itl Still it's just as we'll
she's gone back to school, / think
myself. She's been repressed and
held back SO long, that when she did
let loose, it was just like cutting the
puckering string of bunched-up ruff
flle--she few in all directions, and
there was no holding her back any
where; and | suppose she has been
a bit foolish and extravagant in the
things she's asked for. Poor dear.
though, she did get one setback"
what do you mean"
did she tell you about the present
for her mother"
THAT she was going to get it
yes"
Across the room Mr.. Smith looked
up suddenly.
"Well, she got il" Miss Flora's
thin lips snapped grimly over. the
terse words. But she had to take it
back"
Take it back! cried Miss Maggie.
Eyes. And t was a beauty-one of
them light purple stones with two
pearls. Mellicent showed It to me
on the way home from the store.
you know. And she was so pleased
over it! oh, | don't mind the saw
ing all these years now.' she cried,
when I see what a beautiful thing
they've let me get for mother And
she went off so happy she just
couldn't keep her feet from dancing"
II can imagine it." nodded Miss
Maggie.
well. in an hour she was back
But what a difference! All the light
and happiness and springiness were
gone. She was almost crying. She
still carried the little box in her hand.
I'm takin' it back she choked. Moth
er doesn't like it. Don't like
that beautiful pin!' says l. What
does she wantf'
"Oh. yes, she liked the pin, said
Mellicent, all teary; she thinks it's
beautiful But she doesn't want any.
thing. She says she never heard OF
such foolish goings-on-paying all
that money for a silly, uselessipin. l
Il told her t was present from me,
but she made me take it back. I'm on
nv way now back to the store. I'm
to get the money if / can. IT l can't,
Pm to get a credit slip. Mother says
we can take it up in forks and things
we need. told her t was a present,
but She couldn't say another word,
poor child. She just turned and al
most ran from the room."