The Belding banner-news., 1919-04-09
A RECONCILIATION


NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. >>SS>&><>4<><3&S
Copyright. 1913. by the Mcclure News
paper syndicate)
Situated near the little railroad sta
tion In the town of Hutton Is a log
cabin. This rustic little cabin is the
home of Mrs. Joshua Dorr and daugh-
ter Zilpha, Mr.. Dorr having died many
years before. One very pleasant eve
ming Zllpha came home from school
very much downhearted. II think II
Just horrid." sighed Zilpha. II only
wish she hadn't sent 1t to me-" "Oh,
dear Zilpha. Marcia Will certainly un-
derstand, and II she had not sent II
you would have felt much more down
hearted" said Mrs. Dorr. II am hor-
lid, anyway" replied Zilpha.
Ii certainly was a shame. Marcia
Phelps was to give party next week.
not merely q commonplace affair, but
one much out of the ordinary. AT this
party Marcia would celebrate her en-
trance into society. Zilpha was invit-
ed and she had no clothes suitable to
wear. II was hard for her to have
no dress, no slippers, no gloves. and,
worst of all. no money with which
to buy them. When her father was
alive he provided for the family very
well, but since his death the frail
mother had a very difficult task to pro-
vide for herself and daughter. Mrs.
Dorr took In washing and sewing and
every cent that she received In return
L ~ .f<
:. side before 1t was spent
1t was Tuesday evening; they were
at tea. Mrs. Dorr gently spoke: II
have an idea, Zilpha." II often have
ideas, but they vanish as quickly as
they appear" sighed Zilpha. But, my
] dear. this is an idea which think that
I shall be able to perform"
When tea was finished. Mrs. Dorr
asked Zilpha IL she would go to the
loft and bring down that large, round
box which had been stored away for
many years. Arising from the table,
she ran upstairs to find the box which
her mother wished. Returning with 1t,
Zilpha gave II to her mother. 1t was
large box, yellow with age. and was
slightly dusty.
Ziipha stood with eyes aghast What
could be inside that box was the ques-
ton which she was asking herself.
Removing the cover Mrs. Dorr took
out a large square package. Out of
this package she took pale pink silk
cape, with a border Of deeper pink. Un-
folding 1t carefully, Mrs. Dorr at last
spoke. "You are to have a dress and
party" "Oh, my dear mother. where
did you get it? Going, going. going to
the party" screamed Zilpha. After
looking at the articles In the box,
Zilpha went to bring in the wood.
On ZIlpha's return from school Fri
day afternoon her mother had all OF
her clothes in readiness for her to
wear at the party that evening. At
six o'clock that evening Zilpha went to
her room TO dress for the occasion.
Oh, what a scene when Zilpha spied
her lovely garments prepared for her
by her mother Zilpha was enchanting
in her school clothes. but after adorn-
Ing In these no maiden to be found
could appear more grand. Zilpha. a
very tall. slim brunette, with her hair
arranged low, dressed In this full, plain
silk skirt. nearly covered with cling
Ing overdress. was simply dream.
The bodice was plain, with neck slight
ly pointed and relieved by band OF
dainty lace. Black silk stockings and
dainty slippers worn by her mother at
the altar were her next attire. Open
Ing a small box which lay on the bed.
Zilpha found a pair Of black silk
gloves and a string Of pearls. "Oh.
mother. where did you get theser'
cried she with Joy. your brother Ced-
ric gave them to me before he wan
dered from home. Oh. how wish that
I might see him again."
She was now ready for the party.
What beautiful sight she was, as she
tripped gently across the lawn. on her
way to the home of Marcia Phelps.
She was perfectly charming. an angel
could not have been more so. She ar
rived at the house. and was met at the
door, and ushered to the reception
room by Marcia's brother Roy.
While they were conversing, the band