Omaha daily bee., 1918-08-18
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0Author of Pollyanna and Just David G

but she was wonderful girl. II
tell you about her"
"Yes, do," urged Mr.. Smith, and
even the closest observer, watching
his face. could not have said that he
was not absolutely interested in Miss
Flora's story of my cousin Grace
1t was not until the last leaf of the
album was reached that they came
upon the picture of small girl, with
big. hungry eyes looking out from be-
meath long lashes.
That's Mellicent-where you're
boarding, you know-when she was
little" Miss Flora frowned disap-
provingly. But it's horrid, poor
childw
But she looks $3.50 sad" MUIR
INJURED Mr.. Smith.
"Yes, l know. She always did,"
Miss Flora sighed and frowned again.
She hesitated, then burst out, as if
irresistibly impelled from within.
ITS only just another case of never
having what you want when you
want it. Mr.. Smith. And it isn't cause
they're poor, eitheh They amt poor
mot like me, | mean. Franks al
ways done we'll, and he's been a good
provider; but it's my sister-in-law-
her way, ! mean. Not that I'm say
ing anything against Jane. amt.
She's good woman and she's very
kind ito me. She's always saying
what she'd do for me if she only
had the money. She's a good house
keeper, too, and her house is as neat
as wax. But it's just that she never
thinks she can use anything she's got
till it's so out of date she don't wapt
it. I dressmake for her, you see, so
| know-about her sleeves and skirts,
you know. And if she ever does wear
decent thing she's so afraid it will
rain she never takes any comfort
in itw
We'll, that is-unfortunate."
eyes, amt it? And she's brought
up that poor child the same way
Why, from babyhood Mellicent never
had her rattles till she wanted blocks,
nor her blocks till she wanted dolls,
nor her dolls till she was big enough
for beans And that's what made the
poor child always look so wall-eyed
and hungry. She was hungry-even
if she did get enough to eat"
Mrs. Blaisdell probably believed in
-er-economy," hazarded Mr.. Smith.
Economy! Ny stars. should think
she sdid! But, there, ought not to
have said anything, of course. It's
good trait l only wish some other
folks I could mention had more of it.
There's Jim's wife, for instance. Now,
if she's got ten cents, she'll spend
15-and more to show how she
spent it. She and Jane ought to be
shaken up in bag together. Why, Mr..
Smith, Jane doesn't let herself enjoy
anything. She's always keeping it for
better time. Though sometimes |
think she does enjoy just seeing how
far she can make a dollar 60. But
Mellicent don't, nor Frank; and it's
hard. on them"
II should say it might be-" Mr..
Smith was looking at the wistful eyes
under the long lashes.
"'Tis; and t amt right, I believe,
There is such thing as being too
economical. / tell Jane she'll be like
a story l read once about man who
piached and saved all his life, not
even buying. peanuts, though he just
dotted on 'em. And when he did get
rich, so he could buy the peanuts, he
bought big bag the first thing. But
he didn't eat 'em. He hadn't got any
teeth left to chew Fem with"
We'll, that was a catastrophew
laughed Mr.. Smith, as he pocketed
his notebook and rose to his feet.
And now | thank you very much,
Miss Blaisdell, for the help you've
been to me-"
"Oh. you're quite welcome, indeed