The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1922-04-06
UNSELFlSHNESS
BY FLORENCE MELLIsH

g. 1922. by Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate
They went upstairs sleepy and hap
DIV. Elsie's sister, Ida, and George,
Ida's husband, had been with them.
Their classmate, Agnes, had brought
her violin, and Elsie and Edna had
tried some of their old piano duets.
Elsie slipped into the guest room
ard perched on the bed She was as
pink and plump as a child, and very
sweet in her new natronly dignity
"Oh, Ednal It's lovely to have you
here"
IT'S lovely to be here, Elsie. Your
home is exquisite, and you and Ernest
seem perfectly happy"
1--WE are just that"
"And with Ida settled so near you !
They seem happy too
Elsie took off her slipper and CON
sdered a crack in the toe, 81 guess
they're happy, but if were Ida, l
should be perfectly miserable"
"Why, ElsleT
EDNA, did you see George looking
at Agnes when she was playing? He
looked as II she was something won
derful."
But her playing is wonderful, Ell
sic, and Agnes Is too, rather"
81 know, she isn't exactly beautiful,
but she has what people call charm
And, Edna, l think that Agnes likes
being wonderful and that she likes
George to know II"
"But, Elsie, l don't think Ida is SEN
sltive, and isn't George loyal to her"
"Oh, yes!" Elsie returned, with an
impatient upward tilt Of her chin.
George is loyal; but think what a
career Ida has sacrificed for him, and
how she just breathes for him. And
then to see him looking at Agnes with
that adorlng gaze, and to know it Is
only loyalty and duty that holds him
to Ida! Edna, If l should ever see
Ernest looking at anybody with such
an expression as George had tonight,
1t would break my heart. You saw him
look at herr"
perhaps / did once" Edna admit
ted
"You went to the opera, Edna, when
you were staying with the Vintons.
Tell us about It,"
Edna leaned back luXurlously, and
talked as only Edna could talk. Edna
could not see Ernest from where she
sat, but raising her eyes to the mirror
above the mantel, she saw his rehec-
ton.
Elsie came into Edna's room again.
She was pale and a little sad, but very
sweet and gentle.
you were wonderful tonight, dear"
she said, wistfully, as she kissed Edna.
you don't try to be, but you are"
For a long time Edna sat staring at
a little opal brooch she had unfastened
from her collar.
ernest didn't mean anything"
She turned the brooch and absently
watched the play Of yolors in the lamp
light.
who would guess how lovely an
opal can be when the light strikes it2''
Then a new thought flashed in her
eyes.
"Where is that hldeous purple
gownT
She stood up before the mirror and
held up the desplsed gown.
ITS fearfully unbecoming. / don't
like to make a fright Of myself, but
for Elsle's sake-l"
In the morning Edna experimental
with her hair.
Elsie met her in the hall. "Why,
Edna You don't look like yourself
with your hair all over your ears and
down to your eyes, It doesn't suit you,
dear"
But it's the latest style. The Nor
timer girls have adopted it,"
"Oh. those Mortimer girlsw Elsie
echoed with scorn. But what is this
gown l haven't seen 1t before"
you'll see it again" laughed Edna.
I'm going to give it an airing"
At breakfast, Edna talked persistent
~ Of Mrs. Faxon, a rather over
dressed member Of the Amethyst club,
dwelling on every detail Of her cos
tune. Ernest retired behind his news
paper.
your friend seems shallow and
commonplace on closer acquaintance"
he conhded to Elsie, aftcrward.
"But she isn't shallow or common
place." Elsie insisted, Loyalty. "Its just
that you don't see the best side Of
her"
"Perhaps," he answered, Indifferent
ly.
The day came for Edna's departure.
ITS lonesome TO see you packing"
mourned Elsie 81 wish you hadn't
promised the Pearsons. But you'll be
the niftlest thing on the train in that
hat and suit And, Edna, do put up
your hair the old way. I've just heard
that my cousin, Gordon Fletcher, Is
staying at the very next house TO the
Pearsons. He is "a lion, and / want
you TO look your best And Edna, that
purple thing you've been wearing SO
much-its handsome But II doesn't
suit you. DO put It aside-and that
Russian blouse with the broad stripes,
You're so beautiful az your best Oh
Edna Must you really 20 today"
u must, Elsie, dear. The Pearsons
are meeting me-"
"Well, It's been like a bit Of heaven
having you here. love to entertain,
but your visit has been the dearest Of
ALL You are always 80 unselish, ed