Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1919-12-04
Dear
Eleanor"
~
BY OTILLIA FRANCES
PFEIFFER
Copyright. 1919. ~ the western News
papsr Untea.D

Dear Eleanor" everybody called
her n not 10 her face. al least be-
hind her back, and the latter WAS The
Surest proof OF her popularity. She
was . bright faced. smiling girl. but
just ~ ready 10 share and console In
the troubles or others a. tn become a
partner in their Joys. Adsptabilily was
the secret of her rare magnetic inlu-
ence. and Vance Dunbar felt that he
had acquired precious prize when
she consented To become his wife.
You don't know what YOU are go
in TO-" said friend OF Eleanor Tyr
reli, week before wedding. II have
a relative living near The Dunbar
home of which Gersld's mother il the
mistress. They say il is dismal, for
bidding place. And as to your pros
pective motherin-aw. ! hear she is
q stern, antiqunted. self willed woman
Of the old time school
Bul Wnsome Eleanor kept The same
sunny smile on her face she always
wore. Yes" she nodded. that may all
be. but haven't | goi Vance,
So the girl who kept "A town lively
with her wit and pleaSantnesS refused
10 think of the barren prospect out
lined Eleanor il was who had written
n relative when he announced visit
1T will be glorious Ia sec you again
dear uncle, aud | will meet you al tie
station ON your arrival. But | NIGH
no, recognize YOU after all these years.
and SO | think that for purposes of
identification il would b- hest for YOU
tn hold n long string of pearls in one
/ hand and 8 Dir OF fur-say al crmine
/ lined stOle-in the other" Her spirits
We're not 10 be dashed. therefore. aud
il in her new life she could not draw
! on her mutual fund Of fun and vivac-
IT'S. she could hnd some way 10 win
over II grabbed, selfish old woman or
patiently learn her ways and follow
fhem-for The sake of Vance.
She confessed to a sentiment of DIES
! Olslion n she aud Vance reached the
home of his mother II seemed 10 step
out Of an old fashioned picture. Ten
days dust had settled on the keys Of
! the parlor organ The SiereoScope
lenses were sad, in need OF polishing
and spider webs criss-crOSSed the
basket OF cathedral interior views.
The 1--WE cruetS Of the dining room
table were empty and the portraits
on the wall looked as II they needed
their faces washed
Il find mother has been away at
her sisters for over week re
marked Vance III Is not her way 10
neglect the house. You see. our coming
week earlier than We arranged has
caught her unawares."
Next day Mrs Dunbar arrived aud
Eleanor's martyrdom commenced just
as her school friend had predicted.
The grim. set face Of the elder WON
an the sharp. mandatory accents ~
her voice chilled aud depressed Ele-
amor and The latter wondered if there
was any use of hoping that beneath
the rough surface lurked some senti-
ments OF human emotion.
Il don't believe in new iincrHcks.
son" observed Mrs. Dunbar criSply ~
Vance introduced into the house
Morris chair TIN not encouraging
your wife in the cooking line. either.
Things are dear hard winter Is
/ coming on and the closer We keep to-
plain hog and homny the Surer We'll
/ be In pulling through But there was
- good deal OF fiction about all This.
for Mrs. Dunbar had n surplus at bank
aud had acquired recently II modern
residence in the village
Vance admired while he pitied Ele-
i amor Silently. patiently She bent To
/ the iron rule of her husbands mother.
/ She made no complaint ~ the winter
came nn and there was Shvering in
every part of the house u nearly
/ broke Eleanor'S tender heart tO be- de
! pri,rd of putting 10 practical expert
men her knowledge acquired IN a
. course Of scientific cookery Then fate
4 interviewed 70 change things Mrs Dun
! bar >lipprd ON the ice in the ward one
morning aud for the first time ia her
/ life was HAT on her back IN Il sick bed.
The doctor announced - fun tire"
months confinement with broken
. iuh aud thc drauglty hall heated
.ondition and general diSc"mtortN oi
me- old house began Tea force them
selves upon Mrs. Dunbar'S conscious
ur~>
cook. nurse hOuSekccper how l.le-
amor stTovp to become all three in
niodrl perfection Within week she
/ had won her mOther-in-law To all Kinds
,f daintieS in the way OF desserts, and
he day she lifted the invalid 10 the
Morris chair the old lady sank into It's
,icnfh> with resigned sigh Of per
,c.i peace aud comfort. Mrs. Dunbar
hc-Yit To appreciate the comfort OF
uNuy aud realize that she was grow
ny Old but with a young, capable as
-i~...pt who knew more than she dii
iluui The joys OF living.
1T isn't right for Eleanor. she
spoke 10 her son one day. THE house
Is getting 100 old TO keep out the WIN
ter chill, aud clever young house
eeprr like she Is deserves more
rnnN enient home. II is easier 10 lease
tho farm than the town house. and ]
iink we'd better move. And say.
,nnce. the old melodeOn il getting
.Is,cked and hoarse. and we might sell
| II and the old furniture and get new.
And let Eleanor pick out The furnish
lue. for he new house home.