The Penn's Grove record., 1920-08-06
SIGNING LIPS
BY AGNES C. eRoeAN.

!
Copyright. 1920. Western Newspaper UnioL>
It all happened because of the verse
on the calendar.
Mollie was in the depths of the
blues. when the verse caught her eye.
and the only eason l 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 a
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 thou'lt give to signing lips,
again shall make thee glad" And far
Their down the promise: 1.-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 WON
an in doubtful reply. But Mollie fell
into step at her side.
at 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?"
EYES," 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.
81 have been coming by for years
carrying vegetables from my garden
to my little shop in town. It's a long
walk. I have to start early. But.
I'm afraid l shan'I be able to come
any more"
At the genuine interest in the girls
pitifully eager face.
'"They have raised the rent of my
shop" she confided. "It was all that l
could do to carry it before. It's my
only means of support, you see," she
added.
"You have no children?" Mollie
asked; "no one to help you?"
A tender light came into the faded
eyes beneath the rusty bonnet.
Yes, there's Danny" the mother
Sd-h. btl DdiLN al L NC u ViP
Beseechingly the mother awaited
leniency for Danny.
y suppose" Mollie admitted.
ooh, it's So" the old woman insist
ed. You wouldn't believe that l had
a 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 raj away
and were married"
"That is my shop" she went on.
''The little place with the garden flow
ers in the window. I like to keep it
tasty. And there" sudden fear
showed in the woman's white face.
THAT man in the automobile" she
whispered, hes going to put me out.
There is back rent to pay, as well as
it's being raised. Danny was plan
ming to make it up for me when he
could" She broke off alphabetically.
81 don't know why I've been telling
you all this. Because you looked kind,
l guess, and my old heart was aching
for kindness. Don't think about it
any more. my dear. Good-by."
But Mollie fingered. She could buy
that basket of vegetables at least, and
then:
A frank-faced young mar jumped
from the automobile to meet them.
Mrs. Thomas" he began carefully,
as though trying to soften a blow.
Father says that he's sorry he can't
reconsider the rent question. You see.
this bill for arrears
The astonished young mar found
himself abruptly led aside by a pretty
young mi
Please" begged Mollie, don't you
see she can't pay? But if this bill OF
arrears could be managed, do you
think your father would possibly con
tinue the old rent of the store?"
Mr.. Jack Darby stared perplexedly
You are willing to pay the arrearsT
he asked.
MOllie shook a determined head.
ST can't" she said "I'm going m