Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-04-05

+ wastrel like that is about. We've
known it before now. haven't we?'
To one other person BESSIE told the
story Of the glen, and that was her
, chief friend. Susie Stephen. the English
barmaid at the Ginger Hall lima girl
Of fair complexion and some good looks
who had shocked the young wives of
the parish by wearing short frocks.
transparent stockings and blouse cut
low over the bosom.
1t was at closing time n fow nights
after the event. and MS the girls stood
whispering together by the half open
door. with the lights put out in the
bar behind them. they squealed with
laughter. laid hold of each other and
shuddered.
The young men had gone from the
glen by thar time. but the August hOli-
days were coming. so they decided to
go up to Douglas on the Saturday fol-
lowing TO dance off their excitement.
AT . O'Clock that day. having milked
her cows. and given drink of meal
and water to her calves. Bessie was in
her bedroom making ready for her jour-
ney.
1t was a stuffy little one-eyed cham
ber over the dairy. entered from the
first landing Of the stairs. open to the
whitewashed Scraas (which gave il a
turfy Odor|. having a skylight in the
thatch. truckle he'd. deal table for
washstand. and n few dried sheepskins
on the floor for rugs.
BESSIE threw of the big unlaced boots
and tn" other garments Of the cow
house. kicking the one into II corner and
throwing the others in dls0rderly mass
on the bed over her pink and white
sunbonn"t. washed to the waist and
then folded her arms over each other in
their warmth and roundness and
laughed to herself in sheer joy Of bound
ing health and conscious beauty.
While doing so she heard her step.
fathers voice in the kitchen below. loud
as usual and as full Of protest. but she
had a matter of more moment TO think
OF now--what 10 wear out of her scanty
wardrobe.
The question was easily decided.
After putting on white rubber shoes
and white stockings. she drew aside a
sheet on the wall that ran on a string
and took down white wooden skirt and
new cream cOlorcd blouse cut low at
the neck like Susie's.
But the anchor of her hope was her
hat. which she was TO wear for the frs,
time. having bought it tho day before
in Ramsey. II was shaped like r shell.
with a round lin in front. and to find
the proper angl" for il on her head
was perpleXing problem. So she
stood long and twisted about before nn
unframed sheet of sivnrrd glass which
hung by nail Oh the WALL with lash
comb In her hand and a number Of
hatpirs across her mouth. while the
floor rreaked under her, and the con-
versation went on below.
She got it right at last, Just tilted a
little aside. to look pert and saury.
with her black hair. which was long
md wavy. creeping up TO it like a
cushion. And then. standing on from
her 'a'S 10 look at ii again over her
delight, she turned 10 the door and
walked with buoyant step downstairs.
Dan Baldromma also had made an
engagement for that day. handbills
having been distributed IN Ramsey dur
| ing the morning saying that Mr..
Daniel Collister, of Baldromma' would
deliver an address in the market place
at O'Clock in the evening.
At 8 Dan had strapped down the lever
which stopped the flow Of water on TO
his overshot wheel and stepped into the
dwelling house. where Liza. his wife,
had laid tea for two and was blowing
up fire OF dry gorse TO boil he kettle.
Tell your girl 10 put a Ill rub on
ny Sunday boots" he said.
But she's upstairs dressing for
Douglas" said Mrs. Collister.
You don't say?" said Dan. so
that's the way she's earning her
| living:'
"Chut, man." said Mrs. Oollister.
"If a girls In life she wants sisement
sometimes, doesn't shsf And her rag
ging and tearing to keep the farm