The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1921-04-06
PRETTIEST LADY
81 MADos G. WESTON.
,eeeSesgsesgSeSgSeses
"a. 1890. Western Newspaper Union


cha Grayce, the very woman TO mother
DavId's motherless children, and he
was putting aside all her faithful care
of them for the fancy Of 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 and
amused them. Mrs. Gordon, when she
came to make helpful visit, found
no help required Of her, and the young
nurse won completely the mothers re-
gard. Even upon her homeward trip.
she was thinking hopefully of the
darl-eyed Marcia as possible help
meet for David. Mrs. Gordon was COM
pacent 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 "Auntle
Marcia" beside them, and daddy at the
wheel. Then, all at once the rides
ceased. Daddy had found another COM
panion who suited him better. And
when the twins met the lady IN the
ruifled rose colOred dress, and she
clasped them close in her little round
braceleted arms, traitOrously their
young hearts went out to the "Pret-
test Lady, as they called her. In an
alteration that silly 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 to ask the "PrettieSt
Lady" to marry him, he told his
mother, with the happy shyness of
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
lied dream maiden" his mother an
swered bitterly, " a girl who, from all
can learn. has known neither care
nor responsibility. David, David, have
you forgotten all Marcia's faithful
service?"
"But cannot marry Marcia her
son replied. "because she has been
good to my little girls. There is such
Il thing as love. mother"
Mrs. Gordon turned aside impatient
~. Without response Marcia received
news of the approaching engagement
1t was on the following evening that
Marcia came abruptly into Mrs Cor
don's presence.
81 am leaving at once" she an
nounced. "My trunk has already gone.
A case too profitable to be refused
calls me. You had better go 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
undeniably Ill.
"Since when. dears?" she asked
tremblingly.
"Sick all day." Peggie moaned, IAN
Marcia left u.s."
Bewildercd the grandmother turned
to the telephone.
Doctor Brant?"
"Not in-oh! 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.
1t was Janet herself who answered the
telephone.
"No, David is not here" she said In
quick sympathy, 81 do not expect him
Out Tic City tiiio inns
storm would detain him, If he had in
blended to come. Yes. 1t is pouring and
blowing a gale. am very sorry that
the children are Ill, and you cannot
get DOCTOR" The windows of the old
stone house were rattling beneath the
sudden storm as Mrs. Gordon returned
to the nursery. 1t was pounding on
barred front door, which brought her
from troubled reverie, and when
she opened the door, slight cloaked
figure came rushing in as though blown
by the breeze.
Its me-" the girl Janet said breath
iessly. When she tossed aside her
long cape. she smiled.
~ came to help with the children.
It's probably scarlet-feyer, there is so
much about. l shall not know exactly
what to do, Of course. but brought
mothers old medical book along. and
| We will hold the fort till the doctor
fan come Polly and Peggie love me.
I brow they viii do rs say"