Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1920-01-08
TESSA MODESTO
BY NELL AOAiR.

tCopS right. 1890. Western Newspaper Union,
She moved into the little brown
house by the mill. with only an old
woman for company. She was q girl
ism little creature. with brown Ques-
uoning eyes. and a tam.o'-shanter cap
pulled over her waving Clark locks. She
wore unusually short skirts Of wooden
stun and norfolk jacket Of many
pockets. and tramped through the
woods. whistling boyishly when no one
was near. She was at once the small
towns enigma and annoyance. An
nOying, In that she kept resOlutely to
herself. relieving In no way the nat.
ural curiosity. and an enigma. In that
she constantly furnished surprises.
Old Doctor Worthington had An
ished telling Of being called one night
to attend the sick child Of Italians In
the town. and Of finding the strange
girl there relieving their distresses.
Once the doctors son. returning from
the city. brought Information that he
had seen this same quiet brown.eyed
seated in box at the theater.
Gainesville disapproved Of incon.
sistencies, II disapproved Of mystery.
so the inmate Of the brown house was
left to herself. Helen-Marie. an ac-
cepted town authority on social mat
ters. shrugged disdainful shoulders.
Later, when she met the girl. her win
some face aglOw as she walked at
Jack Hamilton's side. Helen Marie
unreasonahly resented her presence.
"Why did she come here?" ,he asked
herself.
She questioned Jack contemporary.
concerning his new acquaintance.
Jack. who had been Helen Marie's
dominated property, flushed con.
fusedly as he murmured his reply. He
had come upon the girl on the long
drive one day, It had been raining hard
and he had offered to drive her home.
The woman who lived with her was
some sort Of a relative. he explained.
She called the girl 'Tessa." Jack
could tell no more.
Helen Marie's resentment deepened
as days passed and she found Jack en-
j0ying more and more the strange girls
companionship. Sometimes she saw
them seated on the cross bench on the
bridge. cmilinG into each others eyes !:
sometimes the two came swinging
down the road from q long country
walk. Helen-karie bowed to Jack
coldly. 1t was not his desertion alone
which CALLED, but the humiliation Of
his preference. This girl! This uu.
known humble girl! Was Helen Marie
not the towns idol. their social lead
er. exhibited musician and authority
ON fashionsf Was 1t not Jack Hamil-
toms aristocratic mother who had
planned and encouraged their friend
ship1 Who but Helen Marie might be
worthy of her son with his assured
future?
The strange girl sat on the brown
house veranda. when Helen Marie
passed, and then paused thoughtfully.
The girl was sewing upon some lovely
flimsy stun. As Helen still hesitated.
the girl held the material up with Z
shy smile.
"Prettyr she asked.
"very." Helen-Mare replied:
"You make your own clothesr
The girl raised her brown eyes.
II make-other peoples" she an
swered slowly. II am Tessa. modiste."
So that was It. Helen Marie went
briskly up the walk. When dressmak-
ers came to town. with herself rested
always the decision Of their capabili-
ties. II, as usually happened, IN anx-
ious seamstress failed to Hnd favor In
her eyes. the seamstre~s might well
prepare to seek other 6elds.
II should like you to make . frock
for me-" said Helen.
Tessa considered. then she laughed
softly.
They tell me-" she replied. "that
Miss Helen Marie Terry has always
her own way. Therefore. ! may ~
well agree"
Helen. Marie went on to see Jacks
mother.
\ "Your sons new friend, the dress
maker. II sewing for me-" she said.
When the white frock was finished,
Helen Marie regarded her own mir
rored figure in reluctant admiration.
1T IL not" she said At last sharply.
at oil ~ should have wished. am
afraid that will not be able to rec
ommend you to my friends. However.
my billr'
There 10 no BILL" little Tessa an
swered quietly. when . garment fails
to give satisfaction"
Hslen.Narie placed q bill upon the
table. It was q small recompense In
deed. THAT will at least pay for your
time" she said and departed.
Jacks mother. descending from her
automobile. met Helen Marie at the
brown house door.
II must warn you" Helen instantly
advised. shat the girls work n In
possible.
II am coming" Mrs. Hamilton said
slowly. ito make q friendly call at my
cons request. HE'S going to marry
the RfPl-vOu apA II WA love NJ 6rat