The Belding banner-news., 1922-01-04

BY BERTHA RICE.
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g. 1874. by Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate

tagged her tl-irty-iive years to an easy
twenty-eight. She had good sense,
too. aud admitted that life was he
coming increasingly stale.
1t was the Father OF His Country's
birthday, therefore holiday. Miss
Emily hated holidays. the time for
family get-togethers. firing of re-
Election, She decided to take q walk.
Katie kommon, rosy, freckled
maid of twenty. walked listlessly
down Pedigree avenue, on which was
the home OF Miss Van Dustin She
had no place 10 20 and no compan-
ions. A holiday was such useless
gift.
II was mild, sunny day, end she
took a seat In the little park that ter.
minated the avenue. Self-pity usually
ends in tears. Being alone she cred
unrestrainedly.
what is the matter?"
"I'm Katie Kommon, and I'm "A gen
eral in Mrs. Coates family"
"A generalY
"Iessum. General maid"
VII maven Hou any liiNlbN M
the city,
Nom. I'm y stranger, and don't
know anybody. | want a chum 10 20
around with, like other girls"
Were both in the same boat, Katie.
l want chum, too. Come home with
me, and we1 finish this tiresoine hol
iday together"
Katie looked ut the beautifully
gowned lady beside her in astonish-
ment as she Stammered, why, IL
couldn't"
'Oh, yes, you can. Come"
They soon reached the Van Dustin
residence. Admitting with Il latch
key. Miss Emily led the way 10 her
den. which was arranged for tea.
Now Katie she said, as she made
the tea, tell me where your home
isl"
"In Maine. Father is dead. and
I'm the Oldest of five. l send money
home to help out"
And you've no friends hereT
Nom. It's awful lonely. Sundays
and holidays are the worst. I'd like
10 belong TO club, o. something"
Katie, let's start u club of Two,
said Emily. There's sunny, front
room Oh the second floor that wen
use for clubroom. 1t shall be open
TO lonely girls, on Sundays and holi-
days"
''Wherell you find girls?"
IN find them. VIII you come next
Sunday? Wen have music. talks and
eats. To start with"
'Oh, I'd love to-
The Sunday newspapers carried the
following advertisement:
Wanted, dozen lonely girls. the
loneier the better. Apply at ~ Ped
igree avenue on sunday"
Loneliness and curiosity. both. in
duced ten girls To investigate. and
they found cordial welcome. over
tie tea and cakes Miss Van Bustin
explained her project.
And that was the beginning OF the
holiday club, and-of something else.
Among those who read the adver-
tisement was Mrs. Coinelia brewster
Van Dustin. possessor of the bluest of
blue blood, society leader, and aunt TO
Miss Emily. She was shocked, horri-
fed, wrathful.
She summoned family council,
and ordered that Emily be ostracized
IL she refused to abandon her plebeian
club. Some demurred. but none dared
oppose. The ultimatum was deliv-
cred by Aunt Cornelia over the tele-
phone.
"Oh. fudge" said Miss Emily, drop
Ding the receiver.
But she felt hurt. however, when,
fortnight later, Mrs. Van Dustin
gave brilliant social affair to which
her niece was not invited.
A week later conspicuous sign In
black and white hung from the Sec
ond-story window Of the Van Dustin
ancestral home. 1t announced, "A
Holiday Club for Working Girls. Come
In"
The sign arrested the attention OF
a man who was walking down Pedi-
gree avenue. He was about forty.
He hesitated a moment, then crossed
the street and rang the bell Of No. p.
The man ascended the stairs, and
entered the room without knocking.
He had walked half the distance 10
the piano, where Miss Emily was
seated, when she turned.
Robert !" she exclaimed In confu-
sion. Then, "Will you be seated, Mr..
Sherrold?' she primly invited.
Emily" said her caller, ignoring
her invitation, what does that sign
mean7"
"Why do you askr'
"You know why. We parted be-
cause l couldn't live your rapid, So
ciety life, and you wouldn't, live the
broader life with me-"
With one stride he reached her and
grasped her wrists.
"Look at me, Emily" he command
ed, "and tell me the truth"
Uniinchingly she faced him. 1T