The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1919-11-06
CLOTHES
By PEARL B. MEYER.

stuffed her limp handkerchief in her
apron pocket.
Il Shan't shed another tear" she de-
clared firmly. cts done, and all my
crying won't change things any" The
words had scarcely passed her lips be-
fore the floodgates 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 60 to college and have things
real fine-to have him turn around
and get married without saying a
word: it's too much"
"They'll be here tomorrow" sobbed
Mrs. Drew. | haven't the heart to
I 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, ne
said she worked in an office. Probably
all she knows about cooking is how to
typewrite recipes"
"Clarence!' Mrs. Kent laughed
scornfully. "What do you expect of
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 just wait"
At this dire prophecy, Mrs. Drew's
face disappeared completely in the
folds of her checked calico. 81 don't
know how I'm ever going to stand it,"
she walled.
"There's the expreSSman." cried Mrs.
Kent, with an eager start.
Her hostess lowered he: apron.
"Clarence wrote she was sending some
of her things"
ooh. really?" Mrs. Kent was all in
terest.
"He 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 it appeared 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-I'll do it myself.
Mrs. brew sat down and commenced
working at the knot.
"Cut it. cut it, snapped her caller.
impatiently.
''But the mother was thinking that
probably Clarence's 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 greedily
peering eyes, and for a moment her
hands hesitated. Then her longing for
sympathy overcame her scruples. She
let the cover slide to the floor.
"Wellr CALCULATED Mrs. Kent.
The eyes of both women were fixed
on the neatly folded garments. Mrs.
Kents hand flew out swiftly as if to
disturb them and explore further; but
a sudden change in her hostess atti-
tude made her as quickly withdraw 1t.
II think I'll 60 in," remarked Mrs.
Drew after weighty pause. You
come over again, Carrie"
There was no mistaking the import
of her words. Mrs. Kent's Jaw
dropped. She hurriedly arose.
'T clean forgot had cake baking
she exclaimed with remarkable pres
ence Of mind; then added sourly, Il
hope you enjoy their visit"
But Mrs. Drew had passed into the
house. ignoring her. Upstairs in the
little white bedroom where Clarence
had slept until he went to college, she
unpacked the box and laid its con-
tents. one piece after another, on the
snowy counterpane.
"JuSt like what l used to have she
whispered "No silk nonSenSe-just
cotton like mine."
She shook out white dress, smooth
ing it's folds. 81 declare-she must
have made it herself. The lining looks
that way I1l,have to show her how
it ought to be done. Why. bless my
heart, here's real calico apron-and
another-great big ones" She gave
a little choking laugh.
Piece after piece was lifted from the
box, each receiving welcoming COM
ment. "Well, well, if she hasn't packed
in some of Clarence's socks. And
they're darned. Now that's fine. Not
q hole left and done as neat as you
please"
Mrs. Drew's face had grown bright
er and brighter. At length, her task,
completed, she stood back to view the
result. The whole room, that haven of
dear memories, had taken on differ
emf ASPECT. The new personality |