Palisadian. [volume] (Cliffside Park, N.J.) 1906-current, 1921-03-19
THE SUIT CASES
BY MARION e. LEIGHTON.
40 90 % % % % % % pQpN0

tie pile of cast-off clothing in the open
suit case, jammed the bunch down
savagely, snapped the cover shut and
INDUCED in a discontinued monologue
while she tested the weight Of it.
II may be foolish; probably am,
but ! don't care. I'm going to have
one day off and go somewhere-like
other folks. You're not heavy enough"
to the rather battered suit case
81 want you to feel as If were going
somewhere for months vacation"
She put the case down again and
threw in an old sofa pillow. Bessie
was doing her packing in the attic.
She continued the one-sided argument:
81 don't care! Fay and Laura go
to places and have pretty clothes and
meet nice people," punching the. pill
low viciously, land stay home and
cook and scrub for them"-more punch
ing-"and get found fault with If
1 scorch the biscuits or get too much
starch in their white waists-and ev-
,erything! Pm going for an outing
and make believe it's vacation at
the seashore or some place. Fay and
Laura can get their own dinner for
once"
Unconsciously Bessie was stating
deplorable fact that had long been a
the neighbors.
"Why did Bessie-sweet little, Bes-
sie-drudge for her frivolous and
| thOughtless sisters and receive hardly
a kind word of thanks? Why didn't
she rebel?"
And now Bessie had rebelled-a sort
Of mild little rebellion, truly-but it
might lead to better things.
Thoughtful and kind-hearted, even
In state Of rebellion, Bessie left
note for her sisters telling them there
was plenty of food cooked and assur-
ing them she would be home that eve
ming. Not a word Of discomfort ap-
| peared in the note.
Then, with a whimsical little smile,
she labelled her suit case with her
name and address and took her scanty
savings from the jar in the kitchen
cabinet. When counted the grand to-
tai was one dollar and seventy-three
cents.
With another little smile she peck
eted the money, picked up her suit
case and took a suburban car for
1.-THE Lake."
She spent one delightful day watch
ing the motor boats and listening to
the gentle tapping of the little waves;
then at dusk boarded the car for
home.
The only vacant seat was nea5 Inc
rear door and Bessie placed he4hsuit
case in the space between her seat
and the next and prepared to enjoy
the ride across country.
At stop beside the highway a
young man swung aboard with suit
case. very much like Bessie's and in
a very pleasant voice-Bessie thought
1t very, very pleasant-asked the con-
| ductor If he could make the 9:15 train
West. Being assured that he could
the young man dropped his suit case
beside Bessie's and hung to a strap.
scar broke down." she heard him
tell the conductor-"take the chauffeur
an hour to fix it and I've got to make
that train"
Bessie furtively watched and ad-
mired him during the short journey to
town and when he seized the suit
case and rushed for the train, which
was already in when they arrived,
| {nI, Nf
Tired, but happy, she trudged home
ward. to answer the questions of her
amazed and indignant sisters, and lis
ten to what reproaches might be
thrown in for seasoning.
The suit case reposed in the attic
unopened. and Bessie lay long time
and thought of her wonderful day.
81 don't care" she finally murmured
sleepily. sit was great way to break
the monotony."
One month later the door bell rang
and there stood the pleasant-looking
young man with Bessie's suit case.
There was nothing for poor, confused
Bessie to do but invite him in while
she resurrected his own case from the
attic, and that gave her time to re-
gain some of her lost composure and
realize that she must explain the sofa
pillow and CASTOR clothing.
His hearty laughter put her more
at ease and he stayed few minutes
chatting.
1T was my own fault" he said
while taking his leave, but it really
caused me lot of trouble and / think
you owe me something. I'm coming
around with my roadster this evening
and take you for a ride In the fresh
air. VIII you go?"
Bessie woodland did. Not only
that evening, but many others as we'll.
Then one day the young man told
Bessie's sisters they would have to
look for another housekeeper as he
had spoken for Bessie himself.
Now Bessie doesn't have to make
believe and that old suit case is still