Omaha daily bee., 1918-09-02

nat was last lliSHt. SHC WGHC
away this morning, suppose. didn't
see her again, so | don't know how
she did come out with the storeman."
TOO bad-too bad" sympathized
Miss Maggie. (Over at the table Mr..
Smith had fallen to writing furiously.
with vicious little jabs of his pencil)
But Jane never did believe in pres
ent giving. They never gave presents
to each other even at Christmas. She
always called it foolish. wastefuI
practice, and Mellicent was always SO
unhappy Christmas morning.
Il know it. And that's just what
the trouble is. Don't you see? Jane
never let m take even comfort, and
now that they can take some comfort.
James got so out OF the habit, she
don't know how to begin"
Careful, careful, Floraw laughed
Miss Maggie. 81 don't think you can
say much on that score"
"Why, Maggie Duff, I'm taking
comfort" bridled Miss Flora. Didn't
| have chicken last week and turkey
three weeks ago? And do ever
skimp the butter or hunt for cake
rules with one EGG now? And amt |
going to Niagara and have a phono-
graph and move into fine place just
as soon as my mourning is up' You
wait and see" y..-....-
"All right, I'll wait" laughed Miss
Maggie. Then, bit anxiously, she
asked; did Fred go today?'
Yes. looking fine as a fiddle, too,
| was sweeping off the steps when he
went by the house. He stopped and
spoke. Said he was going in now for
real work-that he'd played long
enough. He said he wouldn't be good
for a row of pins if he had many such
weeks as this had BEEN"
"I'm glad he realized it," observed
Miss Maggie grimly. Il suppose the
Gaylord young people went, too.
"Hibbard did, but Pearl doesn't 60
till next week. She isn't in the sama
school with Bess, you know. It's even
grander than Bess's, they say. Hattie
wants to get Bess into it next year.
Oh, | forgot; we've got to call her
Elizabeth now. Did you knowl"
Miss Maggie shook her head.
well, we have. Hattie says nick
names are all out now, and that
Elizabeth is very stylish and good
form, and the only proper thing to
call her. She says we must call her
Harriet too. ! forgot that"
"And Benny, Benjamin." smiled
Miss Maggie.
"Yes. And Jim James, But I'm
afraid | shall forget--sometimes.
I'm afraid--a good many of u.
will" laughed Miss Maggie.
1T all came from them Gaylords,
believe" shifted Flora. u don't think
much Of 'em; but Hattie seems to,
notice she don't put nothin' discour.
agin' in the way of young Gaylord
and Bess. But he pays most as much
attention to Mellicent so far as can
see, whenever Carl Pennock will give
him a chance. Did you ever see the
beat of that boy1 It's the money, Of
course. ! hope Mellicent II give him
a good lesson, before she gets through
with it. He deserves it" she ejaculat-
ed, as she picked up her fur neckpiecc,
and fastened it with jerk.
In tNhe doorway she paused and
glanced cautiously toward Mr.. Smith.
Mr.. Smith, perceiving the glance,
tried very hard to absorb himself in
the rows of names and dates before
him: but he could not help hearing
Miss Flora's next words.
Maggie. hain't you changed your
mind mite yet? Won't you let me
give you some of my money! I'D so
love to, dearp
But Miss Maggie, with violent
shake of her head, almost pushed
Miss Flora into the hall and shut the
door firmly.
Mr.. Smith, left alone at his table.
wrote again furiously, and with vici-
Gus little jabs of his pencil.
ITO Be Continued Tomorrow