Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1919-12-25
CLOTHES
sy PEARL 3. MEYER.
Mrs. Drew mopped her eyes and
stuffed her limp handkerchief in her

apron pocket.
II shan't shed another tear" She de-
clared firmly. Its done. and all my
crying won't change things any" The
words had scarcely passed her lips be-
fore the fioodgates opened anew. and,
having no extra handkerchief on hand.
she was obliged to resort to corner
OF her apron.
81 don't wonder you cry sympa-
thized her neighbor. Mrs. Kent, rock
ing violently back and forth in the
porch chair. After you've worked
your fingers off for that boy, so he
could go to college and have things
real fine-to have him turn around
and get married without saying
word; it's too much"
"They'll be here tomorrow sobbed
Mrs. Drew. haven't the heart to
bake thing-and they've got to eat,
suppose" she added tragically.
LET the bride try her hand sneered
Mrs. Kent. Hes got to get used to
her cooking sooner. or later, anyway"
Mrs. Drew stiffened. Let stranger
come into my kitchen and mess around
with my pots and kettles?' She shook
her head energetically. Besides, he
said she worked in an office. Probably
NIL she knows about cooking is how to
typewrite recipes"
"Clarence!" Mrs. Kent laughed
scornfully. "What do you expect of a
fellow who is so much in love That he
forgets to tell his ma when he gets
married? You wait and see: she'll
want to boss everything, and Clarence
will stand up for her. That's what
he'll do. You inst wait"
At this dire prophecy, Mrs. Dfew's
face disappeared completely in the
folds of her checked calico. 81 don't
know how I'm ever going to stand H."
she walled.
'"There's the expressman." cried Mrs.
Kent. with an eager start.
Her hostess lowered her apron.
"Clarence wrote she was sending some
of her things"
"Oh. really?" Mrs. Kent was all in
terest.
''lle told me to unpack the, box" AS
she spoke, she walked hurriedly to the
steps to receive the package. Mechan-
ically She signed for it. The mere ac-
ceptance of 1t appeared a disloyalty
tc all the past years that had belonged
exclusively to Clarence and her.
Mrs. Kent snatched it. "Shall open
it?" she asked eagerly. -
''Well-yes-no-Tll do it myself"
Mrs. Drew sat down and commenced
working at the knot.
"Cut it. cut It," snapped hereafter,
impatiently. ;.
'.But the mother was thinking that
probably CIarences hands had tied
that knot, and her fingers fingered
over it lovingly. Slowly she unfas-
tened the string, removed the heavy
wrapping paper, united more knots
and at length loosened the cover.
Mrs. Drew glanced at the greedlly
peering eyes, and for Il moment her
hands hesitated. Then her longing fo1
sympathy overcame her scruplcs. She
let the cover slide to the floor.
We'll" calculated Mrs. Kent.
The eyes of both women We're fixed
on the neatly folded garments. Mrs
kent's hand flew out swiftly as If t.
disturb them and explore further; but
sudden change In her hostess atti
tude made her as quickly withdraw 1t
II think I'll go in." remarked Mrs
Drew after weighty pause. "Yot
come over again. Carrie"
There was no installing the impor
| of her words. Mrs. Kent's. jaw
dropped She hurriedly arose.
II clean forgot I had a cake baking
| she exclaimed With remarkable pres
ence of mind; then added sourly, :"
hope you enjoy their visit"
But Mrs. Drew had passed into thu
house, ignoring her Upstairs in thu
little white bedroom where Clarence
had slept until he went TO college, sh'
unpacked the box and laid it's con
tents, one piece after another. on tn
snowy counterpart.
"Just like what l used to have" sh
whispered. NO silk nonsense-ius
cotton like mine"
She shook out white dress, smooth
ing it's folds. II declare-she mus
have made 1t herself The lining look
that way. I'll have to show her hoy
1t ought to be done. Why. bless m
heart, here's a real calico apron-an
another-great big ones" She CAV
Il little choking laugh.
Piece after piece was lifted from th
box. each receiving welcoming con
ment. "Well well, If she hasn't packe
in some of Clarence's socks. An
they're darned. Now that's fine. Nc
hole left and done as neat as 20
please
Mrs Drew's face had grown brigh
er and brighter. At length, her tasl
completed, she stood back to view tn
result. The whole room, that haven {
dear memories, had taken on a diffe
ent aspect. The new personalit
seemed already to nave left an in
press. A strangely sweet charm RI
dated from the neatly spread clotl
ing on the white bed. Her eye
caressed their fresh dantiness. The
she recalled Mrs. Kent's greedy cur
Osity.
Il guess it's none OF her, bushes
what Clarence's wife chooses to Wear
muttered Mrs. Drew with sudden II
dignation.
She returned TO The bed and passe
her hands gently over the folds of tt
white dress. All the rancor.. all tt
deep hurt in her heurt melted away.
"Clarcnce said she had no moth E