Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1922-07-13


come Income in. WY, child what
ails your" cried the woman, as Helen
stepped into the light.
"Ails me? Why nothing" laughed
the girl evasively.
AS she set the tray down and turned
to go, the elder woman, by a sudden
movement, confronted her.
"See here, Miss Helen, 1t amt none
O. my business, know, but I've just
got to speak. Your eyes are all teary,
and your cheeks have got two red spots
in 'em. You've been cryin'. | know
you have. You're so thin l could just
blow you over with a good big breath.
And know what's the matter. You're
all wore out. You're dom too much.
No mortal woman can work both day
and night"
But l dont-Quite," stammerSd the
girl. Besides, there is so much to be
done. You know, mOther-thOugh she
isn't very sick-can do but little for
herself"
yes, 1 know she dont-seem to. But
isn't there someone else that could
help?"
The girl stirred restlessly. Her eyes
| sought for means of escape.
"Why, no, of course not. There isn't
anyone" she murmured. "You are very
kind, really, Mrs. Mason, but l must
go-now."
The other did not move. She was
standing directly before the hall door.
"Theres-your brother"
"Why how did you come to know
that I had-a brotherT'
"Know itr' scoffed Mrs. Mason. 81
have known your mother for a year
ever since she moved here; and as If
a body could know her and not hear Of
him! He's the very apple of her eye.
Why can't he-help? Wouldn't he, if
he knew?'
"Why Mrs. Mason, of course! He
has-he does" declared the girl quick
ly, the red deepening in her cheeks.
"He-he sent her money only today"
Eyes, | know; she told ne-of that"
Mrs Mason's voice was significant in
it's smoothness. "Your mother said
she was going to get her-a tie"
yes tie," repeated Helen, with
feverish lightness; Lace, you know
Mother does 50 love pretty things Oh,
and by the way" hurried on the girl
breathlessly, ''if you don't mind-abOut
the dinners, you know. Mother doesn't
care for cOdfish-and-cream, and if you
could just substitute something else,
I'll pay more, of course! I'd expect to
do that. I've been thinking for some
time that you ought TO have at least
ten cents a day more-if you could
manage-on that And-thank you; If
you would remember abOut-the cod
fish. And now | really must-go -
she finished.
"Wel, of all things! Now what have
I said?" muttered the puzzled woman,
staring after her visitor. Ten cents
a day more, indeed! And where, for
the lands sake, is the poor lamb going
to find that?"
Long hours later in the Raymond
fiat, after the mending was done, the
waist ironed and the mothers queru-
louS tongue had been SilenCed by sleep,
the poor lamb" sat down with her
little account book and tried to dis
cover just that-where she was going
to find the extra ten cents day to
buy off Mrs. Mason's Goldfish.
1t did not rain the next morning.
The sun shone, indeed, as If it never
had rained, and never would rain.
There was the same apologize rush
in the morning, the same mOnOtOnOus
succession of buyers and near-buyers
at the counter, the same glitter and
sparkle and chatter-the youth, and
love, and laughter. Then at night came
the surprise.
Helen Raymond went home to find q
little fiat dominated by new presence
a presence so big and breezy that I'm.
consciously she shifted the air as if she
We're entering a pine grove instead of
stuffy, four-room city fiat.
Helen, he knows Herbert, my Her.
bert" announced Mrs. Raymond rap
turously; and as she seemed to think
no further Introduction was necessary
the young man rose to his feet and
added with a smile -
MY name is Carrol-Jack Carroll
Miss Raymond, | suppose. Your
brOther-er-suggested that | call, as
was in the city"
"Of course you'd CALL" chirruped
Mrs. Raymond. LAS if we weren't al
ways glad to see any friend of my
boys. Helen, why don't you say some
thing? Why don't you welcome Mr.
Carroll"
Il haven't had much chance yet
mother" smiled the girl in some EN-
barrassment. Perhaps II haven
caught my breath"
mot that Mr.. Carroll ought to mind
of course" resumed Mrs. Raymond
plaintively. And he won't when he
knows you, and sees how moderate you
are. You know Herbert is so quick,
she added, turning to Herbert's friend
as he?" murmured the man; and a
: the odd something in his voice Heller
looked up quickly to find the stranger