The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1920-02-09
slGK!NG LIPS
BY AGNES C. BRooAN.
ecopyright. 1920. western Newspaper Union

II All ndilDtllNu UGN0QSC Va liz fO-s~
On the calendar
MoIlie was in the depths of the
blues, when the verse caught her eye.
and the only reason / can give for
Mollie's blueness is that she had moth
ing to do. When one has nothing TO
do. that unenviable state of mind often
follows.
Mollie read the verse at first idly,
then with a CLEAN of interest. For
the advice of the calendar appeared to
be exactly what she needed-like
doctors prescription for the thing that
ais you.
How to be glad" screamed the
calendar in red letters, this is the sug-
gestion which followed:
"a smile thou'lt give to signing lips,
again shall make thee glad" And far
Their down the promise: "The good
that thou shalt do will return TO
thee"
A smile, then, in this case, was serv-
ice, whose rendition must return to
made the donor glad.
Mollie wanted to be glad; there was
every reason in the world why she
should be, yet was not Evidently the
first step toward this desired goal was
the seeking out of signing lips, with
the intent of turning them to smiles.
1t is sad. but true. that "sighing lips
are easy to be found, so Mollie had
gone no farther than the gateway of
the hedge where her own particular
sigh reached her. 1t came in need Of
comfort straight over the hedge to her
listening ears. And it came disappoint-
ingly. from the drawn lips of a bent.
old woman.
Good morning" she greeted
brightly.
Good morning" quavered the wom-
an in doubtful reply. But Mollie fell
| into step at her side.
1T is a lovely morning. isn't it," she
asked, land you must have been out
early to gather your green's. l have
seen you often. have l not. passing the
house mornings?"
Yes" the old woman answered.
Mollie was surprised at the refine
ment of her tone The dress she wore
was shabby. and her wrinkled hands
worn with toll
Il have been coming by for years
to my little shop in town. It's q long
walk. have to start early. But
I'm afraid l shan't be able to come
any more"
At the genuine interest in the girls
inquiring glance the woman raised a
pitifully eager face.
'They have raised the rent of my
shop" she confided. 1T was all that 1
could do to carry it before. It's my
only means of support. you see." she
added.
you have no children?" Mollie
asked; mo one to help you?"
\ tender light came into the faded
eyes beneath the rusty bonnet.
Yes, there's Danny" the mother
sad But Danny can't be much help
Beseechingly the mother awaited
Ieniency for Danny
Il suppose" Mollie admitted.
"Oh, it's So" the old woman insist
ed. You wouldn't believe that had
home as nice as yours. And a IA
Their and mother who cared. But they
just couldn't see Danny's father as my
young eyes saw him. so-we ran away
and were married"
THAT is my shop" she went on
"The little place with the garden flow
ers in the window. l like to keep il
tasty. And there" sudden feal
showed in the woman's white face
THAT man in the automobile" She
whispered. "he's going to put me out
4 There is back rent to pay, as well as
it's being raised. Danny was plan
| ming to make it up for me when hi
could" She broke off ALPHABETICALLY
81 don't know why I've been telling
you all this. Because you looked kind
| guess, and my old heart was achins
! for kindness. Don't think about il
| any more. my dear Good-by."
But Afollie fingered. She could bu,
a that basket of vegetables at least. ant
9 then:
n II gOUli6 I3iltfAFt
from the automobile TO meet them.
Mrs. Thomas" he began carefully
y as though trying to soften a blow
7 Father says that he's sorry he can
4 reconsider the rent question. You see
!. this bill for arrears"
The astonished young man foun,
f himself abruptly led aside by prett,
: young woman.
5 please" begged Mollie. don't yol
see she can't pay? But if this bin O
arrears could be managed, do va
. think your father would possibly con
tinue the old rent of the store?"
Mr.. Jack Darby stared perplexedly
You are willing to pay the arrears ?
he asked.
It Mollie shook a determined head.
81 can't" she said. I'm goiny (
make Danny do it."
Danny"
He's her son." explained MolIi,
," And while Dannys mother gazed M