Shoshone journal., 1923-07-27

out to her. She was a sort of ohor,.r
case, but I'll bet she WASN'T the onIy
> que III the congregation. Monday and
! tuesday she was real lnt'rustine
Wednesday she was Just $3.50 E: Thurx
Jay she was on the decline; and by
Friday she'd run down entirely. Fri.
uay and Saturday she was a pretty
ralr listener" Mrs. Penfield laughed
dressed If didn't always call on
that woman long the first of the week
sometime"
You're mighty encouragine to a
leller that's had a hit-or-miss life
Carline. I'd always wished some
Oouyd worked out a few things for
me. Oh, by the way" he added. as
ne smoothed his hair before the small
mirror that hung by the cupboard. 81
ordered a sack Of sweet potatoes this
morning. They'll come sometime to-
day. l got 'em turrible cheap, cause
they're whales-too big for fancy
trade. But l thought mebbe you
could use en-"
"Oh, just grand" cried Mrs. Pen
field. I'D as soon have outsize pota-
toes as any other kind, and they're
what we need most. You be sure to
come round to supper tonight, Uncle
Jerry. Wen have sweet potatoes
with salt on 'em. and a caulifiower
that Crink brought yesterday. It'll
be grand spread"
yes" acknowledged Jerry Winston
gravely, 'I'll stake my life you'll make
them youngsters b'lieYs It's Thanks
giving, but"
Plenty to eat Is always Thanks
giving" she interrupted placidly.
Were awful lucky to be well nour-
ished all the time"
Jerry Winston said nothing. He
took up his hat and whirled II ab-
sently round and round. The habit
ual twinkle had died out Of his eyes,
leaving them gloomy. During several
moments Of silence he watched Mrs
Penield sprinkling clothes and rolling
them into tight compass with 4 final
slap from her palm to encourage
capillarity.
Finally he reused and opened the
kitchen door. 81 wish l had 4 settled
income" he muttered. He jammed on
his hat and went out
"Poor man, wish he had !" thought
Mrs. Penfeld. Its hard on him to
cut loose and not get tied to some
thing again. Land, I got to be careful
not to feel hurt cause he can't talk
1t over with his own niece; but trying
TO force a feller's confidence is bout
ike prying cocoon open with knife
I amt going to care; I'm going to
expect-and I'm an awful good ex-
pecter. Besides, I got a heap Of won
derful things to think about"
It was true that several high points
had recently been reached by the Pen
fields. For one thing, Crink had been
promoted in the grocery business, be-
ing paid now in small amount Of
cold cash fer his two-hour service in
the late afternoon. He was also still
on the inside ring in regard to bar
gains in vegetables, groceries and
meat bones, and continued to bring
in supplies that represented a sharp
saving TO the family. Crink had
visions Of being able TO support the
household before many years, and
already he was swinging In and out
of The Custard Cup with an engaging
air of haste and responsibility.
Lettie also had distinguished her
seIf-by week Of tlawless behavior.
Whether it was because of greater /
effort or because of fewer allurlns /
temptations, no one knew; neither
was anyone so unfeeling as to inquire.
The glory Of the achievement threw
the lower rungs of the ladder into /
kindly shadow. At last Lettie had /
been arrayed in the pink sweater and
the white hat Of Turkish beaver ana
had gone to church. And again no
me sought diligently for the motive
lest II might be found. Many motives
which result III CIcbiAdbAC eNe4'HN
undergo instant disintegration II they
ire exposed to the light. and no risk
vas run by any Penfield.
II is not TO be supposed that Letue,
,aying won her victory, was inclined
O underrate its value. For weeks the
outfit had been the
,innacle of her hopes and the bitterest
dement, in her failures; but when II
vas hers by honest record, she car
led Off the situation with great non
balance. Her black eyes glowed win
eep fire; her face was irradlated
nj her manner was set In the ias'
otch OF jauntiness.
sJimlny :" she had cried, upon her
pturn from church. "rhese toys sure
eat the world for class. didEt
se anybody dressed niftier and ! g0'
,e swellest feelings inside me. Seems
ke there aln't nothing ! eouldnt 90
1 had the clo'ss for H."
Mrs. Psn6eld smiIed at tlis naive
,nfesslon Of unehaneing feminlniiy
Vow that you've begun ! hope ,'V y
,ep rlghf 0n wearing thar sNfHief
~ sunday, u was sasy pf'ff 'h B
asut iiY ,,,