The silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1909-1925, 1920-12-30
P3ETTlEST LADY
By o c. WESTON.
sgssSesSSgSSSSSSSSSS%
"a 1899. Western Newspaper union)

cha Grayce, the very woman 10 mother
DsvId's motherless children, and be
was putting aside all her faithful care
Of them for the fancy of a frivolous
too-pretty girl. Ever since Dora died,
Marcia had made the little twins her
one charge. Tirelessly had she sewed
and cooked for them, taught ana
amused them. Mrs. Gordon, when she
came to make a helpful visit. found
help required Of her. and the young
nurse wen completely the mothers re-
gard. Even upon her homeward trip,
she was thinking hopefully OF the
dark-eyed Marcia as a possible help
meet for David. Mrs. Gordon was COM
placent In her future planning. and
then, David man-like, upset her plans.
He had brought his small family with
their attendant capable nurse, to visit
at his mothers old summer home on
the lake shore.
Little Peggie and Polly enjoyed the
auto rides through the surrounding
country with grandma and "Auntie
Marcia" beside them, and daddy at the
wheel. Then, all al once the rides
ceased. Daddy had found another com
panion who suited him better. And
when the twins met the lady In the
ruffled rose coIored dress. and h
clasped them close IN her little round
braceleted arms, traitorously their
young hearts went out to the "Pref-
test Lady," as they called her, In an
alteration that only children know,
and happily, whenever occasion al
lowed, Marcia was deserted. Mrs
Gordon frowned on the ruffled muslins
and the glinting bracelets. and the
fluffy arrangement OF the new young
woman's scented hair but perversely
David seemed TO share In his young
daughters alteration. Marcia silently
continued her task. And at last
came the blow to Mrs. Gordon's hopes.
David was going 90 ask the "Prettiest
LAdy" to marry him, he told his
mother. with the happy shyness Of
a man In his first love.
"She Is different from Dora Of
course" he said.
Dora and I were companions from
childhood; Janet is like an idealized
dream maiden to me"
And always will be but an ideal
ICED dream maiden" his mother an
swered bitterly. " a girl who, from all
I can learn, has known neither care
nor responsibility. David. David. have
you forgotten all Marcia's faithful
servicer'
But I cannot marry Marcia" her
son replied. because she has been
good to my little girls. There Is such
q thing as love. mother"
Mrs. Gordon turned aside impatient
ly. Without response Marcia received
news Of the approaching engagement.
II was on the following evening that
Marcia came abruptly into Mrs. Cor
don's presence.
II am leaving at once" she an
nounced. "My trunk has already gone.
A case too profitable to be refused
calls me. You had better 90 up to the
children, they seem to be rather In
disposed"
But Marcia my dear" Mrs. Gordon
began. Marcia was gone, the outer door
closing behind her. Dismayed, the
grandmother assembled to the twins
sleeping room. A whimpering upon
their bed greeted her. Both were
~undeniabiy III.
"Since when. dears" she asked
tremblingly.
"Sick all day." Peggie moaned. q n
Marcia left u.s."
Bewildered the grandmother turned
to the telephone.
Doctor Brantr"
mot in-ohi gone to the clambake
across the lake"
Growing more troubled she replaced
the receiver. She would try to find
David at the "Prettiest Lady's" house.
It was Janet herself who answered the
telephone.
mo, David 10 not here" she said In
quick sympathy. II do not expect him
out from the city this evening. This
storm would detain him, II he had In
tended to come. Yes. 1t Is pouring and
blowing a gale. I am very sorry that
the children are Ill, and you cannot
get a DOCTOR" The windows Of the old
stone house were rafting beneath the
sudden storm as Mrs. Gordon returned
to the nursery. 1t was a pounding on
barred front door. which brought her
from a troubled reverie, and when
she opened the door. a slight cloaked
figure came rushing In as though blown
by the breeze.
IT'S me-" the girl Janet said breath
lessly. When she tossed aside her
long cape. she smiled.
II came to help with the children.
It's probably scarlet-fever. there Is SO
much about. / shall not know exactly
what to do. Of course. but I brought
mothers old medical book along, and
..,o vyfll sbolA tho fop<s ttn th~ d.~to.