The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1922-04-17
THE DIIz y
Isl n STORY
MARY ELLEN's EAST.
ER FORTUNE.
ny BARBARA KERR

" lap. She was leaning eagerly
forward, carefully pushing aside the
! i Aite rutf1ed curtains, lips parted.
|fIISt alert fer q glimps OF the first
III lush that was singing as II his
tstle life depended upon carrying
the news Of spring TO every living
thing.
Mary Ellen drank In his rhapso.
dy obviously. She did so want to
be happy aud caretree, even for a
little while. But she could not, for
death had laid a heavy burden up.
on her conscientious heart. She
must be head Of the house since
her father'B death. for her mother
was trail, and the two little sisters
were a great responsibility.
She hurrledly gathered up her
work to make up for lost time in
listening to the thrush; the little
ones must have their dainty white
dresses for Easter. ooh, II ] could
only make some money-just q
little would help" she sighed. She
d was thinking OF the Easter eggs
she must buy at 80 cents dozen
eggs to color, to eat and to hide in
the nests.
Mary ELLEN had a secret. She
had been saving the eggshells
carefully emptied and was paint
eIng them for table decorations
She sighed again as she reflected
that at present prices her family
Fas not eating eggs: A thought
khaspired her. She would take some
be her prettiest shells, show them
d the baker and ask him TO save
shells for her.
She put on her hat, slipped out
quietly SO as not to disturb her
mother, and hastened to the bak'
cry where she did her modest
buying.
Mr.. Bower was not busy. He
admired the grotesque faces and
was vastly amused at the brownies
which was sur1nounted by a cum
ming paper cap.
BLESS my soul! Miss Lane
soiyed problem that was vexing
ine-my Easter window" he de.
ciared. drawing Mary Ellen's box
to him. Nov. look here, suppose
. you help me. You furnish enough
OF these and Ill pay you for them
besides putting in some of my
stuff for the children"
soh. Mr.. Bower, I'd love It." and
she turned enthusiastically to the
window. why, | know already
what We could do. had intended
tproast a nice chicken, make a lot
Of these little brownie figures
climbing around over the platter
and have maple sugar cups out OF
the shells"
You're genius. girl! Why
couldn't roast a turkey"
soh, and ID get out grand
mothers old welI.an'.tree-"
whats that?"
= why, those Sheffield silver
meat platters with the gravy well
in the end; they called them we'll,
and.trees. I'll polish 1t up. and
that, will be the center. Then, Mr.
Bower, Il you're sure they'd be
safe, Ill bring over some other
old things and we'll make n gor
geous window. Ill color the eggs
and fix everything"
my window usually costs me
from $50 TO 500. Now. you look
,arouhd, figure on what you want
to do and ask my help when you
need It I'll give you s25 for your
self IL you can keep the expenses
down to about $780,"
Mary Ellen was in the seventh
heaven OF delight. she asked for
measurements OF the window
went outside to get perspective
walked up and down each side OIL
the street to get effect, roughly
sketched the window on a card
noting her findings, oblivious tC
the admirlng gazes of MIR. Bower
who was chuckling to himself. A
snre find-she's natural window
trfmmer!"
she came back, her blue eyer
dancing with enthusiasm. "oh
l q now it's going to be the very
jcest work ever did. OF course
I'M have to have help"
Fine! Clinton, my son, is com
ing home -
Mary Ellen's face fell. "a
thought you'd help me; you're sc
good to. understand and
Affs Bower smiled. Nov, yOC
90 ahead and get your plans up
II the young man won't do, ther
\ TWILL"
Mary ELLEN grasped her box Of
precious shells and hurried home
It could remain a secret no long
err mother must be told, for Il
would take time and work to dc
ali she meant to do.
Is Mrs. Lane listened, at first wear
lily; then she caught the infection
Of her daughters happiness. She
forgot her misery In seeing the
cunning figures take shape. She
cut and fluted paper frills, insist
ed on polishing the silver and do
ing sall she could to save the time
OF Mary Ellen.
When all was ready Mary Ellen
asked Mr.. Bower to come and in
spect the work. They had It stag
edtin their little parIor. She was
disappointed to find Clinton at
home, and. Mr.. Bower insisted that
he come too. though he was secret
sly3 amused that Mary Ellen did not
assent cordially. And Clint, who
had wtched her expressive face
was determined not to be left out
Mary Ellen had become very
fond Of Mr.. Bower, who treated