Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1921-11-30
THRILLS
BY MRS. MARY POWER.
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liuntly illustrated booklets listlessly.
The scenic glory of the mountains
lured her. so did the sanded beaches.
But the Professionalism. One must
needs be a millionaire to put up at
either place.
Anyway she would need stunning
new wardrobe-she would go shopping.
She bowed coldly to the little woman
ledger she had passed on the stairs.
Miss Miller, witha shy, timid smile,
wished pathetically she was as young
and pretty as the other, as she turned
to watch Avis tripping lightly over the
dingy stairs. Miss Miller couldn't have
been day over thirty-fve, although
she looked fifty. Avis herself was just
turning thirty.
Dusk had settled wheA Avis re-
turned, her arms full Of bundles. IN
like most women, her shopping ex-
petition had held for her no thrills.
door, the handle turned, and Miss Mil
Ter entered shyly.
''Oh, Miss Burroughs. want you to
read this letter from my sister Dellie.
Here's a letter for you, too, came in
my mail by mistake. bellies goin'
to be June BRIDE she gasped. 'Tm
all a-thrill. suppose 1t sounds silly
that l should feel so queerly, only
bellies the only sister l ever had and
the baby Of the family" She looked
up suddenly. her face aglow, her tired
eyes sparkling.
Avis listened politely. Miss Miller
was such bore. What did she care
about-June brides
~ haven't seen Dellie since she was
a baby. My mother died and we were
separated. I've kept track Of her
though. She wants'I should come and
see her married." Miss Miller's voice
shook trifle. "Oh, Miss Avis"
Avis looked surprised. Sentiment
in that drab little soul-of all things
swell, and why not?" she said.
"Oh, my dear, it's out Of the ques-
tion," Miss Miller said in shocked
voice. It'd cost heaps-she lives out
Kansas way, and l couldn't ever get
enough money. l could write and ask
Dellie to send me the account in the
newspapers" her voice broke sud-
denly.
Avis felt funny little tug inside of
her.
Miss Miller" she found herself say.
ing, and experienced throb Of happi-
ness that almost took her breath
away, suppose someone should offer
you-enough money-to take you there
and back, and furnish you with the
necessary frills. and even beautiful
present for Dellie-"
"Oh, my gracious" Miss Miller
Topped into chair with nervous
little laugh. II suppose 1t does seem
like Joke, but Dellie you see was a
baby, and-and-" She was crying
quietly into a thin little lace hand
kerchief.
"Joke-your grandmother Avis
said roughly.
"See" she pointed to the array Of
dainty things upon the bed. "Some
of those I intended to give away"
she fibbed deliberately, "and If you
won't accept the money for your fare"
tactfully, "Tll lend it to you, until
you're able to pay it back. There's
a train. at midnight"
Miss Miller was speechless.
you've two hours to pack and get
to the terminal" Avis reminded. Miss
Miller found herself being escorted
across the hall, gray suede pumps
clutched in one thin hand, gray
frock flung across a shaky arm.
Miss Miller never could tell you
what really took place in the next
hour or so.
What she never knew, however, was
that as soon as she was out of sight,
Avis flew up the stairs to her room
and threw herself into chair with
a hysterical moan. She felt fright
fully old and alone.
"A home, a sister-and a June we'd
ding-all for Miss Miller-fancy :"
said Avis, to nobody in particular,
and then her eyes fell on the letter
Miss Miller had brought along with
Dellie's. Deity she broke the seal.
Avis, my love-" the letter ran, tive
are leaving for Riverway Court on
Friday, Uncle Mart and me. Would
you care to accompany us, as you did
four years ago? Well come to the
city after you Wednesday. And, oh,
Avis, almost forgot to tell you that
that good-looking Dee Kennedy, whom
you played those wonderful tennis
matches with that summer-remem-
ber?-has returned from service and
Is going with us. 1t may please you
to know (Avis drew long breath be-
fore she continued greedily) that he
has asked for you any number OF
times. He seems awfully interested
in your whereabouts, and acts as If
he were walking on pins and needles
until we hear from you.
suspicious If l thought there
was any hope I'd encourage him. Oh,
do vo,, EpOy 0aor no WaS real nppVpd