Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1921-08-11
Elspeth-P ut-the-
Kettle-On
By JESSIE DOUGLAS
&<>~~~~~~~~~~>
q. 1921. BY Mcclure Newspaper syndIcnte.)

to the second knot and was working
paInstakingly when Molly thrust hel
curly head In at the door.
"We're of, e, dear. Put the key
under the mat If we're not home till
late. And do put something on tray
for US to eat when we get home. The
Careys are delightful, but one never
gets enough to eat there"
The door slammed after Molly and
Janet Elspeth worked on over the
stubborn knot
IF any one telephones me, say I've
gone to Treyor's." Caroline said draw
ing on her pearl-clasped glove slowly,
Elspeth stopped until she heard the
door close softly. She was alone, as
usual.
She stood staring at the room gray
Ing In the twilight, forgetting her
package, forgetting everything, In
fact, but the situation she faced.
There was something the matter
with her, that was sure. Molly, the
youngest, with her short curls and her
gay smocks. studied art and talked of
technique" and Zine" and "color" as
though they belonged exclusively to
her. Janet, just year older, was en-
gagged to Jim Corey, and nothing else
existed for her In the world. Then
came Elspeth. But Caroline two years
older, was noted for her charm; she
always had new suitors and all the
new clothes that were necessary to
set of her type.
That was it-they were all types;
all except Elspeth. She realized, as
she stood there fighting with her
sense Of futility, that she just wasn't
any type.
She was necessary, Of course; to
stay at home and get trays ready, to
see that the silver wasn't stolen and
% answer the telephone when Paul
called up to know II Caroline
vas there.
To make sure her mothers papers
we're all typed ready to read TO the
Tuesday Morning club, and to make
iolly's new smocks. e
1t was so dark In the room now that
ilspeth fumbled about for match
nd. having lighted the lamp OF the
able, she saw the package still I'M
pened.
She wondered why she had been so
xcited over this package; Aunt EN-
la sent them few Of her old things
very few months. Caroline usually
hose the best as her immemoriaI
ght and Elspeth made them over.
the time Janet and Molly had
losen there was either nothing left
: II there was. 1t was not worth
uch.
This time, however. the package
Id come addressed to:
MISS ELsPETH GREEN.
She shook out the folds Of tissue |
per and saw In one corner where II
d been crushed something delicately I
ak and silver with tiny French flow 1
and frail, cobwebby lace. In her i
nd II looked more like the lining OF t
sunset cloud than q real frocx.
She laid 1t down and went toward II
, kitchen. s
L believe I'm starved. that's what's V
matter With met" ElsDeth told her i
firmly. "
She had marketed that day SO she "
sw the chops were thick, that the D.
luce was hard and white and that c.
could make cup of coffee In a L
y. p'
The paused In the dining room. and p'
n smiling selfishly she set the table az
two, put the candles on, with their Dl
shades, brought out the white q
ties with their gold bands, and mt
'owl or roses that had come last OIL
NJ for Caroline In the center of the OF
e.
hen she caught up the pink cloud
frock and ran upstairs. II took
much longer than she expected to m,
IS. For she had to borrow Molly's tn
slippers and Janet's stockings. tn
she had to do her hair In that new mn
with twist at the back TO. sniff mr.,
frock. She had to powder her in,
der white throat and try on those mr.,
pearl earrings that Caroline had Itv
int last week. 81,
hen at last she had slipped into wo
pink frock, she gasped at her own n
ction. She wasn't Just Elspetb- duo
he-kettle-on but new, a strange len
IN who smiled back at her with or
ng eyes. how
e went down stairs slowly and wol
ed the candles under their ROSY At
rs. and put on the chops TO brolI per
imelt the delicious aroma of boil mel
Office tres
felt rather thrilled as though II thel
not really game she was NAV
With herself but as though she
expecting some one and n,
ONE one wanted to see her-pot A,ro
Inc or delicious Janet or short ana
Molly, but herself. Nj,
when the bell gave resoundIng and
she was as frightened as oaa~
she were guilty of a crime. 1909
you, Miss Elspeth," man said snos.
all alone?" ono"