The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1919-07-25

he had just dangied from the old arm
on the end Of the gate post. IF that
don't fetch 'em, nothing will, Gwen.
Pretty nifty, amt it, even If your lit
tie brud did do 1t for you"
Gwyn rested from her labors and
smiled with deep satisfaction. The
sign was conspicuous, but not rudely
so, and II was TO the point.
FINEST HAND LAUNDERING.
INSPECTION INVITED,
ut was hard TO get It all there,
too, I want you TO know" added Tom
think folks1l talk much?"
"Who cares how much they talk
90 long, boyw Uncle Peter brushed
him to one side disdainfully. Miss
Gwen aln't gofh' ter touch any
washln'. is she2 She's jes' the Off
cial negotiator. .Julia's goin' ter turn
out all de hand washin' dey send
along"
wouldn't the major just chew
nails If he could see ltf' Gwen
smiled happily. Its so nice to have
an illustrlous IL ther who never comes
to see you, and Is around on the
other side Of the world most Of the
time. ! really think dad believes
we live on honey and cream and sun
shine. Tommy. Wen get some good
roast beef once more and a whole
barrel Of -four at once, instead of ra-
tons. You've got to drive after all
laundry and deliver It on Saturday,
Tom. III do it week days
Glendale was treated to the sur
prise Of years when the full slgnifi-
/cance Of the sign on the old Hilbert
place dawned on its inhabitants. Ger
tainly the two Hilbert children were
liable to do anything radical, com
Ing from the stock they did, but
at least they Were supposed 10 keep
to the line, socially. When Gwen
drove calmly around the small town
in her smart yellow cart calling for
and delivering Laundry as If she were
scattering blessings broadcast, even
little Miss Carey, the dressmaker'
said II did seem as II all shame and
decency had gone out Of folks when
they could take in washing.
But oddly enough the new laun'
dry p%rospered amazingly. For the
guests at the two hotels at the
springs had never heard OF Major
Hilbert or his children, and after the
irst samples OF Aunt Julia's washing
reached customers, Gwen found she
could control the summer trade
So the big grove back Of the smoke
house became a huge open-air laun-
dry where Aunt Julia reigned SUI
preme over Ave helpers, and Uncle
Peter drove the yellow cart now In
stead Of Gwen. It was quite enough
work to manage the little Office she
had opened Off the dining room, and
keep track Of everything.
And before the first month was
over there was such a wonderful bal
anee to the good that Gwen ran out
to the grove and Rugged Aunt julia
before everybody, and cried a little on
her ample shoulder.
Wen pay mp every last blessed
bill IN three months II this keeps
up" she exclaimed. you darling
you. Aunt Julia, | declare I'll give
you a pale pink velvet robe Of glory
for this. DO you know we've goi
every one Of the new guests, every
last one? This Mrs. Ramsen Is .
dear old thing. She's got two SON
coming on from somewhere today, ant
she says they always wea pongee pa
jamas. aud she's never yet found
laundry could do them up right. w
will. won't we. auntie7"
The next morning the yellow car
stopped outside the iron rail fence
and Gwen saw that Uncle Peter haC
some one with him, some one wh'
hurried up the walk to the verandi
and rang the bell outside the screeI
door energetlcally. She answered 1
herself. He seemed very nice an'
very tall and boyish.
"well, you see" he began cheer
fully. "you're Miss Hilbert, aren't You
I'm Dick Remsen. My brother and
came on last night from New Yorl
and promised your father I'd call a
once"
"Dadf Is he over hereT gaspel
Gwen. elanclng at the sign instructive
~. "Oh, horrorsw
He's not hurt a bit" Dick assure,
her earnestly He's in fine con
dltion, but he can't come on for
while vet. I'm awfully glad to NEE
you. Hes talked about You all s.
much. you know. / felt as II ! coul,
not wait to meet you"
Gwen SMILED up at him teaslngly
"Are the pongee pajamas yoursl BE
cause. II they are, ! can tell you RICH
now wen do them up beautifully
Come on and sit down and tell m
AIT about my forgetful father. d
you think II WIN shock him to I'm
me ia bnsinessW
1T won't shock him. Miss Hilbert,
Dick hesltated a minute and plunged
After all she would have to know
sooner or later. IT may startle Mrs
Hilbert, hui she's all right. You
like her.