Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1922-02-22
UNSELFISHNESS
BY FLORENCE MELLIsH

AheH NidSSmate, Agnes, mad brought
her violin. and Elsie and Edna had
tried some Of their old piano duets.
Elsie slipped into the guest room
and perched on the bed. She was as
pink and plump as a child, and very
sweet In her new matronly dignity.
"Oh. Ednaf It's lovely 10 have you
here"
Its lovely 20 be here. Elsie. Your
home is exquisite. and you and Ernest
seem perfectly happy"
'We are just that"
"And with Ida settled so near youl
They seem happy. too"
Elsie took OF her slipper and con-
sidered a crack in the toe. Il guess
they're happy. bni If were Ida,
should be perfectly miserable"
why. Elsie?"
EDNA, did you see George looking
AT Agnes when she was playing? He
looked as If she was something won
derful"
But her playing is wonderful, FL
sic, and Agnes is too, rather"
II know. she isn't exactly beautiful,
but she has what people call charm.
And. Edna, think that Agnes likes
being wonderful and that she likes
George TO know IT,"
'But. Elsie, don't think Ida is SEN
sitive, and isn't George loyal 10 herr"
~oh. yesl" 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 10 see him looking az Agnes with
that adOring gaze. and 10 know IL is
only loyalty and duty that holds him
4 o. Ida Edna. IL / should ever see
Ernest looking at anybody with such
AN expression as George had tonight,
7 IL would break my heart. You saw him
look at herf"
Perhaps l did once" Edna admit
ted.
you went 10 the opera. Edna, when
you were staying with the Vintons.
Tell us about H."
Edna leaned back luxuriously, 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 refec-
ton.
Elsie came into Edna's room again.
She was pale and 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 long time Edna sat staring at
little opal brooch she had unfastened
from her collar.
Ernest didn't mean anything"
She turned the brooch and abSently
watched the play OF colors in the lamp
light.
who would guess how lovely an
opal can be when the light strikes it?''
Then a new thought flashed in her
eyes.
where is that hideous purple
gown"
She stood up before the mirror and
held up the despised gown.
Its fearfully unbecoming. l don't
like TO make a fright of myself, but
FOR Elsie's sake-w
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 10 your eyes. II doesn't suit you,
dear"
"But it's the latest style. The Nor
timer girls have adopted IT,"
.Oh. those Mortimer girls!" Elsie
echoed with scorn. But what is this
gown? I haven't seen il before"
you'll see Il again." laughed Edna.
"Tm going 10 give IL an airing"
At breakfast. Edna talked persistent
liz Of Mrs. FaXon, 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 confided 10 Elsie, afterward.
~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
~.
The day came for Edna's departure.
ats lonesome 10 see YOU packing,
mourned Elsie. Il wish you hadn't
promiseG the Pearsons. But you'll be
the niftiest thing on the train I'm 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 lion. and | want
Won 10 look your best. And. Edna. that
purple thing you've been wearing so
much-irs handsome. But II doesn't
suit You. Do put 1t aside-and that
Russian blouse with the broad stripes.
You're so beautiful at yeur best. On
Edna! Must you really go todayf
Il must. Elsie. dear. The Pearsons