Smyrna times., 1920-03-03
SIGHING LIPS
BY AGNES C. BRoeAN.
lCopyright. 1920. western Ner.sn.-..- -


MOllie was in the depths of tbe
Dlues' when the verse caught her eve
ana the only reason | can give for
Mollle's blueness is that she had moth.
ing TO do. When one has nothing 70
DO that unenviable state of mind often
follows.
Mollie read the verse at first idIv
then with CLEAN of interest. For
! the advice of the calendar appeared to
! be exactly what she needed-lika y
Doctors prescription for the thing that
ails you
"HOw to be glad" screamed the
calendar in red letters, this is the sug-
gestiOn which followed:
"A smile thouIt give to signing lips
again shall make thee glad" And far
ther 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 whv she
should be, yet was not. Evidently the
hrst 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, "and you must have been out
early to gather your green's. I 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
vegetables from my garden
% my little shop in town. It's n long
walk. l have to start early. But
I'm afraid l shant be able to come
my more"
AT the genuine interest in the girls
nquiring glance the woman raised a
'itifully eager face.
''They have raised the rent of nv
hop" she cOnfided. ut was all that I
ould do to carry it before. It's nv
My means of support, you see," she
dded.
You have no children?" MolIie
sked; mo one to help you?"
\ tender light came into the faded G
ydS beneath the rusty bonnet. I
Yes. there's Danny" the mother |
a'd But Danny can't be much help" t
heseechingly the mother awaited r
'niency for Danny.
Il suppose" Mollie admitted
"Oh, it's So the old woman insist (
!. You wouldn't believe that I had h
home as nice as yours. And a fa- [
Ter ana mother who cared. But thev il
Ist couldn't see Danny's father as nv I
'ung eyes saw him. sO-we ran awav h
nd were married" =
THAT is my shop" she went on. ,
The little place with the garden flow -
S in the window I like to keep if q
Sty. And there" sudden fear Ii
owed in the womans white face. a
Ihat man in the automobile" she Il
llspered, "he's going to put me out. n,
lere is back rent to pay, as well as -
being raised. Danny was plan ~
1g to make it up for me when he. ~
uld-" She broke off apOlogetically. =
i don't know why I've been telling &c
u all this. Because you looked kind. Gle
guess, and my old heart was aching d,
kindness. Don't think about If wi
more, my dear. Good-by." ad
But Mollie fingered. She could buy 80
It basket of vegetables at least. and =
IN: at
frank-faced young man jumped oI
IN the automobile to meet them. so'
Mrs. Thomas" he began carefully. pc
though trying to soften a blow.
ather says that he's sorry he can't r,
Onsider the rent question. You see. u
5 bill for arrears"
he astonished young man found &C
lself abruptly led aside by a pretty
ing woman.
Please" begged MOlie. don't you
she can't pay? But if this bill of
ears could be managed, do YOU tio
Tx your father would possibly con- me
lie the old rent of the store?" pre-
If. Jack Darby stared perplexedly. gre
You are willing to pay the arrears? p. VIII
asked. cul
IOllie shook determined head. rer
can't" she said. "Pm going IN me
re Danny do It," 7
Oanny?" rer
Hes her son." explained MoIIie. Der
while Danny's mother gazed an the