Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1919-08-08
SLAMS
BY LOUISE HOFFMAN.

what III the world do you want
with those pillow shams?" laughcd An
ita.
Il thought rs long as the house was
undergoing such n radical change for
,Millicents coming. I'd get these out
for the spare room." replied Mrs
Brown. as her head emerged from the
mufiied depths Of a high cedar chest
"Why. mother!" exclaimed the
daughter in evident distress. "You
don't seriously think Of using these
shnms? They have gone out Of style
ages ago"
Mrs. Brown thoughtfully brushed a
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 AIillicent." she
quietly returned.
Anita WINGED. ugh! Sham Is such
ar ugly word. mother. But" she de-
Tended after moments reflection.
these changes are really improve
ments In our way Of living"
1--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 a parlor maid. And, al
though she will try hard. for your
sake, to do her best. 1t is n difficult
role for her to play. and n little for
getfulness on her part may cause you
some embarrassment. People like Mil
licent readily see through these little
pretenses. You forget Millicent is
coming to visit you and share the per-
sonality Of our home"
Anita frowned. "Why, mother.
thought you said 1t was right and prop
er to always put your best foot for
ward"
Mrs. Brown smiled "You are going
to the extreme, dear. You are only
justified in trying to make sincere
impression. You are planning to
change our home and standard Of liv-
ing to such an extent that If Milliccnt
should visit us unexpectedly she
would not know us.
Perhaps you are right" unwillingly
admitted Anita. "Anything clsc?"
''The MENU" promptly replied Mrs.
Pile, wholesome dinnerS-mcnt, vegeta-
bles and dessert. The formal. many
course dinners of soups, salads. en-
trees, etc, are correct in Miliicrni'S
home, where they employ n s:a!r Of
servants and money is no object. SIN
Pier meals will give me more time to
get acquainted with Milliccnt," she fin
iShed wistfully.
1t was hard for Anita to relinGuish
her cherished plans to create an at
mosphcre of style and easy hospital
ity way beyond their means.
A week later Millccnt arrived. She
was Il sensitive, apprecintive girl in
spite of the fact that she had known
nothing but wealth since her birth.
"What n lovely h0mcw she breathed
into Anfta's surprised and delighted
ears. ut just invites you to feel at
home and talk, talk, talk. It's lovely"
she added toward the close of her stay,
'tO have your mother with us so much.
Mother is always so busy with social
engagements. We scarcely ever have
time for little heart-to-heart chats like
these. I've had n wonderful time"
The day before Millicent's 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"
explained Mlllicent, handing the tele-
gram to Mrs. Brown. But he missed
his connections and is stranded"
"There Is an accommodation train
ut 5 30" said Mrs. Brown. "Send him
message to spend the night with u.s."
And so handsome six-fOot Bob came.
During the ensuing summer he found
1t necessary to come many times, and
itn realized the fnr-reaching effects Of
new friends in her life.
"Milliccnt 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 Il little black leather diary. She
and Bob had often laughed over each
others diaries, and she felt no COM
junction In reading this:
"Jan. %, 10.
"Mct brown-cycd beauty with real
curly hair. Dead tired"
"Why. that was the very day Bob
was stranded" she reflected.
"Jan. "a, 10.
"No shams about her. Fine old
home. No fuss and feathers. Sensible
mother. Guess it's love at first sight"
Anita's mind flew to that memoir
able visit. She remembered with a
guilty pang how she had resented her
mothers advice. Her cheeks blanched.
She might have lost good-natured, in
dulgent Bob through n foolish dIsnlov