The Mellette County pioneer. [volume] (Wood, Mellette County, S.D.) 19??-1971, 1923-07-13

astute ears Of Miss Prudence Cowley,
known to her intimate friends for
some mysterious reason as 'Tup-
pence" She bounced at once.
Tommy, you're stony"
mot a bit of It," declared Tommy
unconvIncingly. Rolling in cash"
"You always were a shocking liar"
said Tuppence severely, though you
did once persuade Sister Greenbank
that the doctor had ordered you beer
as a tonic, but forgotten to write it
on the chart. Dc you remembers"
Tommy chuckled.
81 should think / did! Wasn't the
old cat In a rage when she found out?
Not that she was a bad sort really,
old Mother Greenbank! Good old
hospital d%emobbed like everything
else. l SUPPOSE"
Tuppence sighed. "Yes. Lou too?'
Tommy nodded. 1.-TWO months ago"
"Gratuity?" limited Tuppence.
spent"
"Oh, Tommy"
mo, old thing. not in riotous dis
sipation. No such luck! Tie cost of
living-ordlnary plain or garden liv-
lng-nOwadays is, l assure you, If you
do not know"
"My dear child" interrupted Tup-
pence, there is nothing l do not
know about the cost of living. Here
we are at Lyons, and we will each
OF us pay for own That's that !"
And Tuppence led the way upstairs.
The place was full, and they wan
dered about looking for a table, catch
ing odds and ends Of conversation as
they did so.
Funny scraps one does overhear,"
murmured Tommy. II passed two
Johnnies in the street today talking
about someone called Jane Finn. Did
you ever hear such q name?"
But at that moment two elderly
ladies rose and collected parcels, and
Tuppence deity enscOnced herself In
n Of the vacant seats.
Tommy ordered tea and buns. ,rup-
pence ordered tea and buttered Sast.
And mind the ten comes In sepa-
rate teapots," she added severely.
Tommy sat down opposite her. His
barred head revealed a shock Of exqui-
sitely slicked-back red hair. His face
was pleasantly ugly-nondescript, yet
Enthusiastically the face Of a gentleman
and a sportsman. His brown suit was
well cut, but ~perilouSly near the end
Of It's tether.
They were an essentially modern
looking couple as they sat there. Tup-
pence had TO claim to beauty. but
there was character and charm In the
elfin lines Of her little face, with it's
determined chin and large, wide-apart
gray eyes that looked mistily out from
under straight, black brOws.' She wore
a small bright green toque over her
black bobbed hair, and her extremely
short and rather shabby skirt revealed
a pair OF uncOmmonly dainty ankles.
Her appearance presented a valiant
attempt at smartness.
The tea came at last. and Tuppence,
J rousing herself from q fit of medita-
ton, poured IT out.
"Now. then" said Tommy. taking
a large bite of bun, lets get up-to-
date. Remember, I haven't seen you
since that time in hospital in 1916"
very we'll" Tuppence helped her
self literally to buttered toast.
abridged biography OF Miss Pru-
dence Cowley. fifth daughter % Arch
! deacon Cowley OF Little Missendell.
Suffolk. Miss Cowley left the de-
lights and ~drudgeries) Of her home life
early In the war and came up to Lon
don, where she entered an officers
hospital. First month: Washed up six
hundred and ~forty-eight plates every
day. Second month: Promoted 10
drying aforesaid plates. Third
month: Promoted TO peellng potatoes.
Fourth month: Promoted to cutting
bread and butter. Fifth month: Pro-
noted one floor up to duties OF ward
maid with mop and pail. Sixth month I:
Promoted to waiting at table. Sew
nth month: Pleasing appearance and
nice manners so striking that am pro-
noted TO waiting on the Sisters !!
Eighth month: Slight check In career.
Sister Bond ate Sister Westhaven's
egg! Grand row! Wardmaid clearly
to blame! l%nattentlOn In such impor-
tant matters cannot be too highly cen
sured. Mop and pail again! How are
the mighty fallen! Ninth month: Pro
noted to sweeping out wards, where
I found a friend OF my childhood In
Lieutenant Thomas Eeresford tbow.
Tommy y, whom ! had not seen for
Ave long years. The meeting was az
fecting! Tenth month: Reproyed by
matron for visiting the pictures In
company with n Of the patients.
namely: the aforementioned Lieuten-
ant Thomas Beresford. Eleventh and
twelfth months: Parlormaid duties re-
sumed with entire success. At the
end OF the year left hospital In q blaze
Of glory. After that, the talented Miss
Cowley drove successfully a trade de-
livery van, q motor-lorry md a gen.
cral. The last was the ~pieasantest.
I've forgotten his name now. !
next entered a government Office.