The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1923-12-20
The Outer
Rainent
BY EDNA BOUTWELL,

smile at her husband as he arose from
the breakfast table. She noticed, with
a pang. how old he looked, yet, %
boyish.
Mother, aren't you glad you're going
to Chicago with Dad mex Friday"
This from pretty sixteen-year-Old
Maud.
"Of course she Is. Wouldn't | be,
thought" And the irrepressible Bobby
dug a spoon viciously into his grape
fruit.
Mr.. Homer glanced at his wife as he
put on his shabby coat.
Here, Alice" He tucked four crisp
$40 bills into her hand.
why, Fred - Delight and amaze
ment were mingled in her voice.
That's for "a ley suit. | want to
be proud of you, Alice, when we go. |
really believe you Iook younger every
day"
She flushed at the unusual compli-
ment.
It's time she had a new one, Dad"
And Maud looked at her mother accus-
ingly. "She never gets anything new
for herself. She spends all she has on
u.s."
Hush, Maud" mother entreated.
The merciless voice went on Il bet
she won't spend a bit of that on her
self. Last time"
By the time the children were off to
school, the house set to rights, and the
dinner planned, it was noon. No going
to town that day.
Guess III 90 this afternoon" she
thought. Let me see. | think a brown
suit would be real pretty. Fred al
ways liked me in brown. Who can
that be at the doorbeIl?"
"Iou say the bill is $15T" Mrs. Ho-
mer smiled brightly at the man.
"Yes, ma'am. Been owing since last
fall"
'Tll pay it." She passed him two
crisp bills.
Il guess | can get a good suit for
twenty-five" she unused, as she closed
the door. Il won't mention the bin
to Fred. Poor man, he has enough to
pay" She moved about the kitchen
softly as she set the table. Now |
wonder"
Hello, Allce!"
"You dear girl-where did you come
frOm?"
The plump caller settled down in
. the worn rocker. She clasped her
hands ~nervOusly.
"Oh, Alice, you'll think I'm terrible.
But John is out of work, the baby's
sick--if l only had ten dollars" The
tears came.
Indeed you shall have it. Here II
is" And, giving her a comforting kiss,
Mrs. Homer laid the ten dollars in her
lap. Don't say a word about 1t. And
don't worry about things. YOu know
everything ends right some time.
Won't you stay % dinner. No? Well,
come again soon" She closed the door.
old suit. I'll get some lining for 1t
and a new hat. That will be fine" she
treasured herself as she lifted the
faky biscuits from the oven.
Hey, MAJ yelled Bobby, his cheeks
glowing. "AIl the fellows in school are
going to get baseball suits. Only five
dollars Can | have one? Please, ma ="
Hush. child. Don't make so much
noise. No, Pm afraid you cant have
one. Some other time, perhaps" She
broke off. There was real disappoint-
ment in his chubby face. After all, he
was her only boy-and she didn't need
a new lining for her suit. The old one
could be cleaned.
"Well, | guess we can manage 1t,
Bob. But you mustn't tell Maud" She
was terribly afraid of her daughters
frank remarks about women who
spoiled boys.
"Hurrah. You're a sport, ma. Gee 4!
All the boys wish they had you for a
mother"
Mrs. Homer's eyes glowed softly as
she turned and looked out the win
dow. That bit of slang from q child's
lips was no mean tribute. A moment
later a guilty look replaced the glow.
Only ten dollars left! How should she
manage?
Thursday was a beautiful day. A
little breeze blew into the tiny sitting
room, where Mrs. Homer sat sewing.
She was cutting and stitching away so
busily she didn't hear her neighbours
tread on the stairs until she TODD be-
fore her.
"Oh, Mrs. Homer" The caller nerv-
ousiy twisted the corner of her apron.
81 hate to bother you when you're so
busy. but my aunt died yesterday, and
I've got to go to the funeral. If you
could help me fix my old suit'T'd be all
right"
"Of course ! WILL" beamed Mrs. Ho-
mer. eco get 1t, and well begin right
away. | can finish mine later.
But II was two O'Clock before the
grateful ~neighbor wendell her way
homeward.
Even If she did her very best. she
reasoned, she couldn't finish her own
suit and go in town for a hat. She
compromised by buying a little hat at
enc of the local stores for S.. and a
little lace collar for one of her old
dresses. She couldn't help but bring
Maud a dear little scarf that was
marked down 70 SO.
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