The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1919-07-11
ENWOUS MOLLY
BY DON n. BURDIcK.

1t was Saturday afternoon and Mol
ly's half holiday, but since Dad had
gone to war, and the maid had found
work in factory, Molly's half holl-
day was spent in helping her mother
with the homework and caring for the
babies.
eff l were only as pretty as Gloria
Snow" sighed Molly, II wouldn't mind
washing these old dishes. 1t wouldn't
be nearly as bad, If I knew the steam
was making my hair curl into little
ringlets around my forehead, and that
my long black lashes were covering
eyes of heavenly blue. | believe L cOuld
bear all things with equanimity IL L
knew / was bowling, raving beauty,
but who ever could care for STUB
nose, brown eyes and straggly hair
after they had seen GlOria's classic
features?"
For few moments Molly ratified the
dishes in a very rebelliOus spirit, put
soon she heard her mother singing TO
the baby in low sweet voice:
Father will come to his babe in TIE
nest,
Silvery sails all out of the west"
And into MOlly's really lovely brown
eyes there came a protecting look, as
she carefully put the dried dishes
away.
what selfish girl Molly Endicott
YOU are" she said to herself. "YOu are
not only selfish, you are Stacker, Tor,
didn't you promise your soldier daddy
that you would do everything you
could for the little mother to keep her
well and cheerful? And here you are
complaining in less than a months
time just because you overheard Dr.
Grover tell Gloria Snow how much ne
admired beauty, and that he always
gave especial attention to anyOnes
hands. Now you know you never were
a beauty, and your hands were always
large, and if they are REDEEMED by dish
water it's all in good cause. NOW
Gloria Snow you are welcome to Dr.
Grover. l don't care for a young man
who stays at home In war time, and
you haven't the daddy l have to be
proud of, and such a brave little
mother to love, and"
'"HellO. Miss Molly. I caught you
right at it." said DR.. Grover, close
beside the self-disciplined girl.
"GOOd afternoon, Or. Grover" cOOlly
replied Molly, very conscious OF her
wet slippery hands, and lock of black
hair hanging straight across her nose.
81 should think you might at least
ring the bell and not brighten anyone
So" she continued angrily.
"Why-I beg your pardon. / really
didn't think you would mind my en-
tering especially when Robert told me
not to ring as mother was getting the
baby to sleep, and l wanted very badly
TO take YOU for a ride. It's such
lovely afternoon Don't you think you
can come. Molly?" asked the young
doctor.
'No. don't believe can" was the
ungracious answer. you had better
go and ask Gloria Snow. I've lots of
work to do yet"
"But | don't want Gloria Snow. L
want you, yOu," persisted DR.. Grover.
"Just let me help you with the work,
Molly. I really can work. L can
sweep, and do lots of things, and then
YOU will go with me.
It didn't take Molly long to bathe
and change her clothes, and soon she
was seated in Dr. Growers car, and
they were riding over the country
roads bordered with the sunny golden
rod and sweet wild aSter.
DR.. Grover drove the car slowly, as
he enjoyed watching the various ex-
preSsions fit over MOlly's face at each
exquisite bit of scenery. For while
neither attempted to talk, both were
too happy.
Finally DR.. Grover broke the silence.
Miss Molly, just why were you so
cross when l came this afternoonW
For a minute Molly hesitated, then
laughing she said.
Because 1 was indulging in little
self-pity out of sheer enviOusness."
"You envious, Molly? Of what and
whOm?"
81 don't just like to tell all my
faults" said bIushing Molly as she
rodlIZCu JUST WndI 11SlO AhOAC AOA III
vious. "but confession is good for the
soul. so 1 will confess. l was envy
ing Gloria Snow She is so pretty and
has everything she can ever want, and
well the bad feeling is all gone
now"
Dr. Grover did not reply; instead he
drove his car to one side of the road
e mi fTenn
and stopped it. Then taking Mofly's
hands in his he said.
"Molly, Gloria Snow is pretty, but
don't you know you are beautiful?'
please don't laugh at me-" almost
whispered Molly, that's too unkind."
"I laugh at you? Why Molly, don't
YOU know how much love you? I've
wanted to tell you before but you have
always seemed so Indifferent. You do
care for me iust little Saw YOU do