Emmons County record. [volume] (Williamsport, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1884-current, 1922-07-27
THE APPLE
OF HER EYE
Helen Had Hard Time But There Came Time
When
By ELEANOR PoRTE:RI I,
Author Of Polyanna," Just David" Etc.


= To Helen Raymond, spatting along
the wet slipperiness of the drenched
pavements, it seemed, as If 1t had al.
ways rained, and always would rain.
Helen was tired, blue and ashamed
ashamed because she was blue; blue
because she was tired; and tired be-
cause-wearily her mind reviewed her
day.
She had dragged herself out of bed
ut half-past five, but even then her
simple toilet had been fastened to an
untidy half completion by the queru-
lous insistence of her mothers frequent
"You know, Helen-you must know
how utterly impossible it is for me to
lift my head until I've had my coffee |!
Aren't you almost ready" Mrs. Ray
mond had wakened earlier than usual
that morning. and she could never en-
dure to lie In bed when not asleep.
With one shoe unbuttoned and no
collar on. Helen had prepared the cof-
fee; then had come the delicate task Of
getting the semi-invalid up and dressed,
1t had all resulted as Helen had
feared that 1t would result-she was
late; and hardness at Henderson &
Henderson's meant sharp reprimand,
and In time, fine. Helen's place In
the huge department store was behind
counter where spangled nets and
embroidered chiffons were sold. It had
seemed to Helen today that half the
world must be giving ball to which
the other half was Invited, 80 CON
stant-in spite Of the rain-were the
calls for her wares.
Annoyances at the counter had
been more frequent today than usual,
Helen thought. Perhaps the rain had
made people cross. Helen's list Of sales
had been short In spite Of her incessant
laboy-ahd the list Of sales was what
Henderson & Henderson looked at
when a promotion was being con-
sidered.
And through 1t all. hour after hour,
there had been the simmer of the
spangles. the light chatter of coming
balls and weddings. the merry voices
OF care-free girls-the youth, and love.
and laughter.
I. Youth. and love, and laughter" I'm
consciously Helen repeated the words
aloud: then she smiled bitterly as she
applied them to herself. Youth?-she
was twenty-five. Love?-the grocer?
the milkman? the foorwalker? oh, yes,
and there was the postman. Laughter?
she could not remember when she
had seen anything funny-really funny
enough to laugh at.
OF all this Helen thought as she
plodded YEARLY homeward: of this, and
more. At home there would be supper
to prepare, her mother to get to bed,
and the noon dishes to clear away.
Helen drew in her breath sharply as
she thought Of the dinner. She hoped
that 1t had not been codfish-and-cream
today. If 1t had. she must speak to
Mrs. Mason. Goldfish twice week
might do, but five times! (AIrs. Mason
was the neighbor who, for small sum
each day, brought Mrs. Raymond her
dinner fully cooked.) There was a
waist to iron and some mending to do.
Helen sighed now. She was almost
home, but involuntarily her speed
siackened. Enthusiastically she dreaded
to 60 home.
At the shabby door of the apartment
house Helen half closed her umbrella
and shook it fiercely. Then, as II free
ing herself from something as obnox-
ious as was the rain. she threw back
her head and shook that, too. A mo-
ment later, carefully carrying the drip
ping umbrella, she hurried up three
flights of stairs and unlocked the door
of the rear suite.
my, but it sprinkles! Did you know
it," she cried cheerily to the little wom-
an sitting by the ives. window.
Sprfnkles' Helen, how can you
speak like that when you know what a
dreadful day it is !" fretted the woman.
But then. you don't know. You never
do know. II you had to just sit here
and stare and stare and stare at that
rain all day, as do, perhaps you would
know"
Perhaps" smiled Helen oddly-she
was staring just then at the havoc that
that same rain had wrought In what
had been fairly good hat. -
Her mothers glance followed hers.
"Helen, that can't be-your haiti"
cried the woman, aghast.
Helen smiled quizzically. do you
know that's exactly what was think.
ing myself. mother! It can't be-but
Il is"
but it's utterly. utterly rulnedi'
Eyes, ma am
81 "And you haven't any other that's
really decent!''
mo, ma'am.
The woman sighed impatiently,
"Helen, how can you answer like that
when you know what it means to spoil
that hat? Can't anything dampen your
absurd high spirits ?' il
High spirits!" breathed the girl A
quick flash leaped to her eyes. Ia
Clothed in dry garments little later
Helen set about the evenings tasks
Helen" called doleful voice from
{ the sitting room.
..s.. l.. - sf Z