Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1923-09-06
CHAPTER xIII.-cOntInued.

Inc care ana I0reInOuSHI Will winch
Lorene had gathered together all her
possessions to be packed as swiftly as
possible, had greatly heightened the
disaster. Part of her outfit had been
assembled for her trip; the rest was
to have been sent to her new home.
Two trunks stood open; the trays,
half packed, had been lifted out and
had suffered complete eclipse. Not
even the bureau drawers were closed
as usual.
Mrs. Penf1eld went briskly around
the room, collecting washable articles
in a big clothes-bag. From the clothes
press Lorene brought out the form on
which hung the beautiful suit in which
she was to have been married. An
hour before, it had been a delicate
brown, with a narrow white vest. But
even its cover had been taken off and
folded. AS Lorene looked at the sorry
garment, her eyes filed again, her
shoulders shook.
Don't you carel" said Mrs. Pen
field cheerfully. "We'Il send it to the
cleaners the first thing in the morn
ing, and like as not they'll cut their
fwenty-four-hou service to twelve.
Then I'll send 1t to you by express.
Now what do you think you'd better
wear tomorrow? This white georgette
Is lovely, but you sure couldn't travel
in it. My idea would be this" She
lifted a gown of gray-blue silk figured
In a misty pattern.
Lorene shook her head. "It isn't
wash silk"
81 can wash it." affirmed Mrs. Pen
field stoutly. 81 can tell by the feel
ing Of it."
The door opened crack. The heavy
face of Mrs. Percy appeared. followed
by the lady herself as she perceived
that the air was now free Of its sooty
burden.
"Ain't it a messl" she cried, in fas-
tidious disgust. "Good heavens, Lo-
rene. I don't see what you were think
ing of not to keep an eye out. You
knew I'd lighted the heater. You've
certainly dlshed your own plans now
and you did It yourself, too. You
can't say that T.
IFS beautiful evening, amt it,
Mrs. PercyT greeted Mrs. Penf1eld
genially. ''Did you notice the moon2
It's bout the grandest we ever get"
Mrs. Percy's neck stiffened. She.
tossed her head In offended dignity.
S'I guess you don't need me If you're
feeling so pert" she snapped. The
door closed with decisive vehemence.
81 was wondering about a coat" re
marked Mrs. Penfield quietly, as if
her thoughts had never strayed from
this subject eff I only-if l had
but mebbe you could"
81 can borrow a coat. And oh, I
wonder Yes, seel Ny hat was in
its box and it's all right" Lcrene
held up a small brown travelling hat.
That's fine. Ny. but you're lucky
girl, Lorene. Now you take part of
these things and we'll go back and
get to work"
But scarcely had they reached Num-
Der AZ when Mrs. Penf1eld reversed
her orders. Amt no need for you
TO stay, Lorene. Washing is a simple
thing for me, you know, and I'll en-
Joy doing something toward the occa-
sion. Besides, we might disturb the
children If you stayed. You run
along. You've got a lot of trinkets to
scrub up and your hair to wash. I'll
put these white things a-soak and
squeeze 'em out. They can be ironed
later"
Lorene hesitated. ST hate to have
you, buff I set the alarm and come
over real early, you'll leave the iron
ing for me, won't your And it WOULDN'T
disturb your
"Dear child, you can't disturb me.
Come over as early as you like"
Lorene kissed her gratefully and
went.
Mrs Penfeld started up the fire
and strung the kitchen with many
lines Of heavy Irvine. Contrary to her
careless protestations, the task ahead
of her was by no means simple.
Diversity was its keynote. Some Of
the things required hot water, some
cold, some lukewarm; some demanded
soap, some could not survive it. Lace
had to be ripped out and cleansed
separately. The blue silk was put
through water that had been made
milky by one of Mrs. Penfeld's washing
bags, devices of her own for the Iaun-
dering of delicate coiored fabrics. The
two tubs were supplemented by pans
and basins Rinssng, blueing, starch
Ing, all took time. Even the drying
was matter for constant supervision.
constant Encouragement, owing to the
uneven heat in the room.
When it came to the ironing, Mrs.
Penfeld found the electric bulb too
far from the prescribed position of
her board; but by putting the lamp
on top of the cupboard, she was able
to get sufficient light to go on with
her work.
Day was breaking when Lorene
came around the house. Seeing the
light, she went in softly; then stopped
short ia amazement. The kitchen was
hung with dainty garments, smoothly
arOned, each on a hanger formed by q
rolled newspaper and suspended by a
string. Her eyes fell on three elabo-
rate white blouses that she had not
realized Mrs. Penfield had taken. The
white georgette gown was like new.
every one Of its many plaits pressed