Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-02-10


w with those pillow shams?" laughed
Anita.
Il thought as long as the house was
undergoing such a radical change for
Millicent's coming. I'd get these out for
the spare room," replied Mrs. Brown,
rs her head emerged from the muffled
depths Of a huge cedar chest.
why. mother I" exclaimed the daugh-
ter. In evident distress. you don't seri-
ously think of using these shams? They
have gone out Of style. ages ago"
Mrs. Brown thoughtfully brushed n
stray lock of slightly gray hair from
her forehead. "They are no more out
of place than the rest Of the shams you
are preparing for Millicent," she quiet
ly returned.
Anita WINGED. ugh! Sham is such
an ugly word. mother. But" she de-
'fended after a moments reflection.
these changes are really improvements
in our way Of living"
we can't stick permanently to such
changes as Annie's uniform, cap and
apron, dear. Annie Is our maid of all
work and not parlor maid. And, al
though she will try hard. for your sake,
to do her best. it Is a difficult role for
her to play, and little forgetfulness on
rassment. People like Millicent read
lily see through these little pretenses.
You forget Milicent Is coming to visit
you and share the personality of our
home"
Anita frowned ''why, mother, 1
thought you said it was right and proper
to alwpys put your best foot forward"
Mrs Brown smiled. "You are going
to the extreme, dear. You are only
justified In trying to make sincere i'm
preston. You are planning to change
our home and standard of living to such
an extent that IL Millicent should visit
us Unexpectedly she would not know us.
And, you know, we never know when
to expect friends. And wouldn't II be
better to have them find us as we are
and save ourselves needless embarrass-
ment? For. after all, 1t is not what
We have, but what We are, that counts.
And we never know what far-reaching
effects new friends will have in our
lives"
aasfad RsEsapS SGs ESg are Ahy9Snr rse p1Tnsy ss.
''The menu" promptly replied Mrs.
Brown. I'VE must keep to our simple.
wholesome dinners-meat, vegetables
and dessert The formal many-course
dinners of soups; salad, entrees, etc.
they employ a staff Of servants and
money is no object. Simpler meals will
give me more time to get acquainted
with Millicent,' she finished wistfully,
her cherished plans to create an at
mosphere Of style and easy hospitality
away beyond their means. But she
finally triumphed over her love for
display. Anita and Millicent had met
ut a girls finishing school and. although
Anita had confided that a wealthy aunt
was paying her expense, she failed to
see how inconsistent her home life
mother showed her its absurdity.
A week later Millicent arrived. She
was n sensitive, appreciative girl, in
spite of the fact that she had known
nothing but wealth since her BIRTH.
What a lovely homer she breathed
into Anita's surprised and delighted
ears. "It just invites you to feel at
home and talk. talk, talk. It's lovely"
she added toward the close of her stay,
ito have your mother with us SO much.
engagements. We scarcely ever have
time for little heart -to-heart chats like
these. I've had a wonderful time"
The day before Millicents departure,
she received telegram from her
brother.
Bob is on his way home from camp
and was to meet me at the station
here tomorrow and take me home" en-
planned Millicent handing the telegram
to Mrs. Brown. But he missed his
There is an accommodation train at
| 5:3O," said Mrs Brown. Send him a
message to spend the night with u.s."
And SO handsome six-foot Bob came.
During the ensuing summer he found
/ it necessary to come many times, and
very Unexpectedly, too And then Anita
realized the far-reaching effects of new
| friends in her life.
"Mlliicent is to be my sister some
day, mother" she murmured shyly as
She displayed sparkling solitaire.
| A year later, when happy Mrs. Bob
was looking through the pockets OF
| some of Bob's cast-off coats, she came
across a little black leather diary. She
! and Bob had often laughed over each
others diaries, and she felt no COM
p-'''' ''0'' " Jan. 23. 1s-.
Met a brown-eyed beauty with real
curly hair. Dead tired" ed 0r,. a, D.,
was stranded" she reflected.
mo shams about her. Fine old home
No fuss and feathers. Sensible mother
Guess IT'S ina LONE az eW Tst 10 tbat msmoras
visit. She remembered with a a guilty
pang how she had resented her mothers
advice. Her cheeks blanched. She might
have lost good-natured indulgent Bot
through a foolish display, for he had
been Indirectly influenced by their home
life, She drew her breath sharply. II
had all turned out so wonderfully She
glanced around at her handsome home
with it's luxurious furnishings. 1t rep.
resented the life she had craved as a
girl.
"Hello, wifey."
: Anita jumped. "Oh, Bob! I've just
been finding out what you thought OF
u.s."
Bob laughed, then sighed as h.
glanced at the tell-tale book. 'I tel
YOU, Kitten, 1t was no joke. That day
was a turning point in my life. / hao
about become disgusted with the shams
of life And II was such a relief to FIND
genuine people in a genuine home that
/ all but kidnapped you, and I've beer
glad, glad ever since"
(The next complete noveIette-"A
| Gudd-u Shower.ol