The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1921-05-17
TIE DAILY
SHORT STORY
Elspeth.P Kettle. On.
90 JESSE DOUGLAS

Hsaspspl-t 4I-btlerhselisa0n
81 JESSE DOUGLAS
rlssPgTH und.d the package.
TIth fingers that trembled. She.
- lad come TO the second knot
ana was working painstakingly
when Molly thrust her curly head
Ia Atthe door.
Were of u. dear. Put the key
Vndesthe mat II we're not home till
te! And do put something on q
for US to eat when We get
LONE The carey's are delightful
but one never gets enough TO eat
rhs door slammed after Molly
"a Janet. Elspoth worked on over
h stubborn knot.
IT anyone telephones me, say
I've gone to Trevor's," Caroline
said drawing on her pearlcIasped
glove slowly.
Elspetf stopped until she heard
me docs close softly. She was
Alone as usual.
She stood staring at the room
gsaying in the twilight, forgetting
her package, forgetting everything,
u fact. but the situation she faced
There was something the matter
With her that was sure. Molly, the
Youngest. with her short curls and
hes gay smocks. studied art and
Jtalked OF technique" and cline"
and color" as though they belonged
oxcuisiyely to her. Janet, Just a
year older, was engaged TO jim
gosey and nothing else existed for
her In tho world. Then came Els
peth. But Caroline, two years older
was noted for her charm; she al
ways had new suitors and all the
new clothes that were necessary to
set Off her type.
q That was it-thcy were all types,
an except ElspeLh, She realized, as
she stood there lighting with her
sense OF futIlity thai she Just wasn't
snytype.
She was necessary OF course. to
stay at home and get trays ready,
10 see that tho silver wasn't stolen
knd TO answer the telephone when
Paul Wiuslow called UP TO know II
Caroline was there.
10 make sure her mother'sN pa
pers were all typed 10 read to the
'lluesday Morning Club and to make
MoIlyes new smocks.
H was SO dark In the room now
that Elspeth fumbled about for a
match and, having lighted the lamp
Nm the table, she saw the package
still unopened.
She wondered why she had been
70 excited over this package; Aunt
Emma sent them a few Of her old
things every few months. Carolins
Usually chose the best as her i'm.
memorial right and Elspeth madf
them over. BY the time Janet and
Molly had chosen there was either
nothing left or II there was It was
rot worth much.
This time however, the package
had come addressed to:
III MISS ELSPETH GREEN
y! She shook out the folds OF the
Tissue paper and saw in one corner
where &, had been crushed some,
thing delicately pink and silver
With tiny French flowers and trail
cobwebby lace. In her hand II
looked more like the lining OF q
sunset cloud than rea; frock.
She said It down and went to.
wards the kitchen.
believe I'm starved, that's
what's the matter with mel" Els.
peth told herself firmly.
She had marketed that day so she
knew the chops were thick, tina,
thelettuce was hard and white ant
that she could make cup OF coffe,
n iftfy.
She paused in the dining room
ans then smiling elfishly she set th,
able for two, put the candles OF
With their pink shades, brought on
the white plates with their gol,
bands and put bowl of roses tina
had come last night for. Caroline
in the center OF the table.
Then she caught up the pinL
clopdsliIe frock and ran upstairs. ]
took her much longer than she ex
peced to dress. For she had t
borrow Molly's pink slippers ant
Janet's stockings and she had to d.
her hais in that new way with /
twist at the back to suit the frock
She had to powder her slender whit,
throat and try on those tiny pear
earrings that Caroline had bough
aher last week.
When at last she had slipped int
the pink frock she gasped at he
own reflection. She was Just Els
pethsput-the-kettle-on but new,
strange person who smiled back a
her with shining eyes.
ShesEent down stairs slowly ant
GIFTED the candles under their ros,
knades and put on the chops TO broi
and smeh the delicious aroma o
boiling coffee.
She telt1rather thrilled as thougl
ttwere not really q game she wer,
playing with herself but as thougl
a she was expecting someone
and the someone wanted to see he
not Caroline or delicious Janet o
shofthaired Molly, but herself.
n Yet when the bell gave a resounr
f1ng clang che was as frightened O
Y though she was guilty OF crime.
Its YOU, Miss Elspeth," a mai
said. "and all alone"
.'why. yes; Caroline Is out an;
she said 10 tell you, mean to tel
anyone who come for her" sh
stopped, blushing and embarrassed
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