The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1920-10-07
LAVENDER WOOL
e. MILDRED WHITE


r. nothing Tier sun Wns her Waria
and h. would leave her. Mrs. Spaul.
ding could think Of no happiness apart
from his presence. while the thought
~ another ruling where she had
ruled. sharing where she had shared.
was bitter, For Airs Spauldings love.
10 rs absorption, was wholly selfish.
Keith had dreaded 10 make his an.
nouneement vet even before MS moth
er's grief-strickep face Il had been diff
hculi 70 conceal the JOY Of his own.
Bahs WAS Slch a dear girl: he had
known from The moment her clear eyes
looked into his that all his mothers re-
monstrance could make DO difference
10 the determination OF his choice.
Babs. AL unaware Of opposition. knew
only one code--to be happy and make
others happy. This 10 her was the
most beautiful thing IN the world. So
the GOODNESS Of Mrs. Spauldlng's man
ber when Keith took her To call was
due. Babs decided. 10 the slight ind!s-
position which the son had explained
I hhN ibthff'l iiNAA4 INNING NV
visit OF acquaintance herself. The
girl admired the pillared porch where
Mrs. Spaulding frigidly received her,
she admired the flower beds ia the
garden. but her lovers mother was Ia.
| differently unresponsive. The only
sign OF frlendliness which, so Babs
| thought. Mrs. SpaGlding exhibited was
when. as the girl was about TO take
her departure. she complimented her
! upon her soft wool sweater
Keith. glancing snxiously into his
sweetheart's face. was surprised 10
find there, not the disappointment he
feared. hut certain light OF pleasure.
You must be very happy in your
lovely home, Keith" Babs had said
His mothers words were Different
In tone.
$50 that simple little maid is your
final choice, keith?' she asked falter-
lngly, unbelievingly And though he
turned away In dlsapproval, as time
passed and his mother saw Babs more
and more. her caustic thrusts against
the girl became his constant pain.
Bahs wondered AT little az the frown
between her lovers dark eyes and Of
late her own hrows wrlnkled in per
pexity over his. new and strange re
quests.
would she mind not wearing any
more that big black hatf II seemed
Just a shade conspicuous Ia him"
Babs laid the becoming hat aside.
Notwithstanding all this subservi-
ence 10 her wish. Mrs Spauding's at
titude. as her son returned one eve
ming from his visit 10 Barbara. was
most forbidding
ibid you find your sweetheart al
hoInef she asked mockingly.
Certainly Barbara was at home"
Keith replied
His mother shrugged her shoulders,
"She is SO much with that DeVoe
person" she said.
For moment the frown was very
evident between the young mans as
tonished eyes.
"Why, Barbara has never mentioned
her name 10 me. he said.
Probably not" Mrs. Spaulding
smiled. "She may have the sense 10
know that the mention would not be
agreeable did not feel exactly hon
ored last evening when Barbara
brought her bizarre friend 10 our door
as she dutifully stopped to inquire for
my health"
1T was-queer' Keith's eyes were
bent somberly on the ground as he
STROBE along.
His gentle Barbara aud Lucille De
Voc. with her noisy companions. could
meet ON no common footing He hated
to be always questioning -disapprov-
ing; yet"
Barbara :" he burst out desperately,
as she greeted him with her frank
smile. why do you 20 TO see Lucille
DeVOe? What do you find 10 like in
that woman
Babs shook her head ruefully.
you never will wait to let me tell
you things" she said "You search out
all my surprises. DO you remember
the night that your mother admired
my sweater She liked the way II was
made, but not the color. And 20 /
thougbt-sbe's been having such q
cold. Keith. and lis chilly on the porch
evenings worried little about her
you see, love her, Keith, for your
sake"
"Yes7" asked the young man, Devil
dered
so | decided 10 make her wonder /
ful lavender sweater Lavender j.
conservative, isn't ~ Miss DeYoe I
offered 10 show me how 20 make ~ /
had bought NV geranium one 10 her /
store. Miss Deyoe has The kindest /
heart. she walked with me the other |
evening over 10 your house 80 that she /
might be sure OF your mothers size
And row the work Il done"
Keith drew long breath.
Il knew you'd be pleased" the girl |
said happily shall We take II over
nov 10 your MOTHER
And a. Barbara made her Offering /
Keith looked straight into his moth