The Glenwood post., 1923-09-20
Florence Bingham
Livingston

plan and took off her hat. She must
wait till the nature of the "few arti-
cles" was disclosed before she could
select the things which would be most
needed.
She had, however, taken the letter
so literally that she was wholly I'M
prepared for the arrival Of q small
van the following morning 1t was evil
dent that Mrs. Weatherstone's courte-
Gus eye had taken in the outfit of
apple boxes as thoroughly as had the
more critical gaze of Mrs. Wopple. 1t
was also evident that she had made
her selections with more discrimina-
tion than had occurred with the as
signments previously bestowed upon
Number AZ.
The four beds and the bedding
also the four mattresses, so comfort
able that they logically necessitated
the alarm clock which was found tick
ing in small box-were suspiciously
new, but everything else bore evidence
OF having been used, a fact which made
the gift the pleasanter.
1t was astonishing how quickly and
adequately these furnishings We're
fitted into the flat which had been Mrs.
Sanders. The two large plain rugs
in the living-room and dining-room,
the small rugs in the bedrooms, the
beds, small dining table, plain
chairs, rocking chairs, to say nothing
of set of blue dishes and box of
plated silver! There were curtains
that could be changed to fit; dresses
and coats that could be remade. There
were four pictures in plain frames.
When Mrs. Pentield had unwrapped
them, she stood back with her finger
pressing out the smile on her lips.
"All right" she acknowledged un-
der her breath. las Lettie would say,
l get you, Mrs. Wealth stone"
The pictures went up, and the tin
can labels went down together with
the lifelike bananas and the vigorous
old man who advocated cigarettes.
The installation of Bonnie Gerald
inc was one of the first ceremonies to
take place. She and her winter quar-
tiers We're transferred in toto, and so
skillfully that she seemed not to know
that she had moved at all, which is
the greatest tribute any hen can pay
to change Of abode. 1t was far
otherwise with the young F'ilibus-
ter Caesar Penfield. He was wild with
excitement and had to be forcibly de-
tained in the new back yard until he
should take a saner, less active view
OF the life of luxury about to unfold
around him.
Lucky thing we've got him,
though observed Crink. Il couldn't
never mold up my head in stylish
place like this less we had us nice
dog"
Il amt so bowled over" declared
Lettie, with an assumption of great
carelessness. ITS dandy, but we been
living fine ever since l froze on to
this family"
Children" said Mrs Penfield brisk
ly. you're riz In the world u step or
two. and there's responsibilities CON
nected with it. Higher up the ladder
you go, the more you got to stretch
your moral nature. Now there's one
thing you plumb sure got to do from
now on. You got to give up prowl-
ing"
Oh scoffed Crink, vastly relieved,
Il bout gave that up when / got a
steady job coupla hours a day."
Il don't prowl," contributed Thad,
his soft eyeiashes raging out from
his widened eyes.
Lettie was silent.
Il mean you, too Lettie," continued
Mrs. Penield. From now on, you
can't prowl; you can't be dragging in
stuff; you can't scramble over dumps"
"Why, Penzie.' cried the child In
dismay, "all my llfe-I've had to
and / got the hablt-and-"
you've got to give 1t up" repeated
Mrs. Penfleld firmly. you'll have
lots Of other things to do-study and
read and sew and cook. You must re-
member that you got fine home now,
and bed to sleep In, and grand clo'es
to wear, and heaps to eat-and you
got to live up to It,"
Lettie stared at her solemnly out of
wide black eyes. 1t was evident that
the wreckage of the world was calling
to her. with the allure of Infinite va
riety. with the promise of andl0ss no.
tentiality. Her thin chest heaved.
She threw out her arm In gesture of
utter remuneration.
IAN right" she gulped. "I'i do 1t
If 1t kills me. I gotta stay with you,
Penzie."
1t was while Mrs. Penfield was ex-
ulting with Crlnk over the possession
Of n front window. which give n
charming view of the driveway and
the pepper tree. that she saw Uncle
Jerry coming rapidly into The Custnrd
Cup. In his arms nm enormous sheaf
Of long .stemmed roses, glowing red