The Yale expositor. (Yale, St. Clair County, Mich.) 1894-current, 1920-10-21
TO RI RID OR NOT
BY JESSIE a. PARSONS.

gether. If Molly thinks her mother in
terferes with the children, how much
worse it would be If 1t were Toms
mother who was living with them"
This unfortunate comment kindled
an idea in the irresponsible head of
pretty Mrs. Benton, who tactlessly
gave II expression.
"How is Victor's mother, dear? 1t
didn't seem to me she was looking
very well the last time 1 went to see
her"
"She couldn't have anyone better to
do for her than Kate Stephens" re-
piled Mrs. Doane. "As to not look
ing well, there's nothing whatever the
matter with her except that she's al
ways brooding over the loss Of her
money"
perhaps she misses her home,
Ruth. 1t was very lovely and Kate
Stephens house is anything but home
like. even If she Is tower of
strength" Then, seeing that some
thing was wrong, she turned her re-
marks into another channel. How
wonderfully warm they keep you
here!" she exclaimed as she took
leave.
''That's splendid point about the
Gates house." agreed Mrs. Doane
The visitor had hardly turned the
corner Of the street before Mr.. Doane
returned for the evening meal. In the
dining room light suspended in
garish dome Of Kaleidoscope glass
tried to lend festive air to the occa-
sion and to counterfeit the effect OF
the smoke-tinged wall paper. There
were two long tables and two small
ones In the unoccupied corners. AT
one of the latter sat Mr.. and Mrs.
Doane. Tonight 1t was impossible for
them to exchange word as the occu-
pants Of one Of the long tables young
men from the mill--were little more
hilarious than usual.
"The tides out, Lizzie" hawled one
youth, as he thrust into the hands of
the bewildered waitress an empty milk
pitcher.
Mr.. Doane YEARLY pushed back his
plate with sigh, glad to reach the
quiet Of his room. where he sank into
q chair near the table md began to
fill his pipe.
Don't smoke tonight" protested his
wife. 1--WE splitting headache" ana
she moved her chair near the open
window.
Now Mr.. DOane wanted especially
TO smoke, not only for the stimulus 1t
gave his faded nerves, but also to
brace him to lay before his wife what
from previous experience he knew
would be an unwelcOme proposition.
He laid down his pipe, however,
and began. Taylor told me today of
O great bargain he has In house. It's
new, convenient, and the most attrac-
tive place in the town. and he Is will
ing to hold 1t for us a day or two.
Won't It be fine to have our own home,
Ruth, with everything just as we want
It, and get away from this distracting
place."
Mrs. Doane drew golden tendril
from her beautiful hair and wound 1t
around her finger for a moment before
speaking. Every word came slowly
and deliberately from pouted lips
"victor, you know very well, after
the time l was hurt last winter the
doctor said l must be careful, so |
couldn't possibly do housework. Now
don't interrupt by saying there will be
maids. This Is mill town, with It's
endless pro u entering the mills
and leaving one for days without any
help"
Then because she hadn't yet learned
that too many excuses weaken d
cause, she added: "Think how horrid
II would be for you IL the furnace man
should be sick and you might even
have to shovel snow. to say nothing Of
the extra expenses"
After much patient arguing, Mr.
DOane knew that the only thing was
to tell his brother, John, who lived In
small apartment and wanted a
house, about the bargain.
Johns wife, Mildred. came to see
Ruth the next day. She was beaming
with happiness over the thought Of
having real home. Although not as
beautiful as Ruth, she was most at
tractive In her animation.
"And we've asked Mother DOane to
come and live with us !" she exclaimed.
"She is such n wonderful woman and
misses her old home so much"
But Mother Doane died suddenly be-
fore the young people moved. Ruth
put on the black gown she had worn
to the funeral and went with her hus-
band to the office Of Mr.. Gray, the
lawyer, to hear the will rend.
Mr.. Gray explained that Mrs. Doane
had made her will six months before,
after a visit from her physician. who
told her she could not live more than
year. Her money had not been lost
In foolish investment as every one
but himself had thought. She merely
wanted to find out how many people
loved her for herself. Then, In his
customary dry manner, with slight
rustic Of paper and adjusting of spec
tacles, Mr.. Gray read In monotonouts
a. \.