The Glenwood post., 1923-07-26

"Ev'rythingT
Eyes, everything. All my clothes /!
had them all laid out, ready to pack
on the bed. the chairs. The clothes
press was open. They're all black
sticky, spo-oiled." She threw herself
on the wash bench and broke into
wild sobbing. "Why, by the time I'd
been In there two minutes-look at
mel"
"Oh. my dear" begged Mrs Pen
field, don't cry. We've got to think
of something"
1--WE can't" walled the girl. There
isn't anything to be-begin on. They
were all there everything I own in
the world. everything I've been saving
for all these mo-nonths." She lifted
her head and looked at Mrs, Penfeld
with streaming eyes. "Yes I suppose
they can be cl-cleaned, but there isn't
time before tomorrow. There isn't
t-ti-time" Her voice broke. "Dick
has his leave Of absence and the tic
tickets and all the de-details arranged
We can't put 1t off and-and we can't
can't be m-m-married like this, can
r. She threw out her arms In a ges-
ture Of hopelessness.
Mrs. Penfield could not restrain a
smile as she gazed at the forlorn
bride-elect. huddled on the wash
bench, too abject to realize her own
appearance at the moment or to care
about 1t compared with the greater
calamity at home.
"What can 1 do, Mrs. Pensier I
can't ask Dick to take me like this"
mo, dear, you aren't going to-" Mrs.
Penf1eld put her hands on the girls
shoulders and gave her a gentle shake
that was half reproof and half caress
"Grab your nerve, Lorene, and We'll
work a way out Of this So long as
there amt nothing more vital in the
path than SCOT and cinders, 1 predict
you're going to be married tomorrow
noon, as scheduled-and all fresh and
dainty. too. You left your windows
open, didn't your"
"Oh, yes, but"
"Then the air must be clear by this
time. Til turn out the lamp, and
We'll go right over and see how things
look"
Things looked exactly as Lorene
had represented. The swirling SCOT
had settled-and very thoroughly, too.
The care and forethought with which
Lorene had gathered together all her
possessions to be packed as swiftly as
possible, had greatly heightened the
CT aP hos
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. Penfield went briskly around
the room, collecting washable articles
in 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, 1t had been 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 care" said Mrs. Pen.
field cheerfully. wen send 1t to the
cleaners the first thing in the morn.
ing. and like as not they'll cut their
| Neutrality-suspicious. 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
4 in it. My idea would be this" She
| lifted gown Of gray-blue silk figured
In misty pattern.
LOrene shook her head. at ism,
wash silk"
'T can wash It," affirmed Mrs. Pen
field stoutly. II can tell by the feel
ing Of it."
| The door opened n crack. The heavy
face of Mrs. Percy appeared, followed
by the lady herself as she perceived
that the mir was now free of Its sooty
burden.
"Ain't It mess!" che cried, in fas
tidious disgust Good heavens, Lo
rene, don't see what you were think
ing of not to keep an eye out. Yor
knew I'd lighted the heater. You've
certainly dlshed your own plans now
and you did 1t yourself, too. Yor
can't say that L"
"It's a beautiful evening, aln't 1t
Mrs. Percy1' greeted Mrs. Penfielt
genially. did you notice the moon
It's bout the grandest we ever get.
Mrs. Percy's neck stiffened. She
tossed her head In offended dignity
II guess you don't need me II you're
feeling so pert" she snapped. The
door closed with decisive vehemence
II was wondering about coat" re
marked Mrs. Penfleld quietly. as Il
her thoughts had never strayed from
this subject. TT I only-if I had
but mebbe you could"
II can borrow a coat. And oh,