Evening star., 1923-12-23

well, / should think Mother RenshaW
would be glad and thankful that she
has a place to come to-"
For the love OF Mike. mother. have
a heart. Who wants Gram here TO
Iive?"
TT doesn't make any difference
about wanting, Roland. Your father
and ] have decided it is the best
thing to do"
II think it would be just fne to
have grandma here to live. Small
Gwendolyn nodded her curly head
with much satisfaction.
Yes, sissy! Grandma's always
pattin' you on the back. If You stick
a pin in your finger she thinks you're
half killed"
she don't, either! Grandma's aw-
full nice: I'd be 'shamed to treat her
as you do. smartie Roland"
IF mother comes here to live" an
nounced Mr.. Renshaw sonorously,
you children will treat her with
proper respect. And / won't have all
this wrangling at the table-under-
stande Beatrice, you might 60 and
see mother this morning and-teil
her. The Carleys will buy the place,
furniture and all, just as it stands.
Mrs. Renshaw folded her napkin
and rose hurriedly. "PH do that very
thing. Run along. children, it's time
Cor school
Clarence Renshaw hesitated
moment, fussing with his watch fob.
BE kind of easy with mother, Be-
strice. Remember, she's mighty fond
of the old place"
Leave it to me, Clarence I should
hope mother had some sense
y y 4 +
TT was one of those clear, exhilarat-
- ing mornings in late october.
Abby Renshaw, her old gray sweater
buttoned tightly about her, was out
IN her garden gathering last bou-
quet OF fragrant hardy chrysanthe-
mus. The old lady sighed a. bit as
she shifted the curly blossoms. Bob
by's favorite flowers! I never pick
'em without I think of him. His
hair was almost as bright as gold.
Poor little Bobby-his father was too
hard, too hard
Always had this sorrow cast its
shadow over Abby Renshaw's heart.
Her younger son, in direct contrast
10 his pragmatical brother Clarence,
had played such daring pranks and
been the victim of so many reck-
less escapades that his stern father
GS,a f1S oil xrtt
boy and driven him from home, with
the final admonition that he never
wanted to see or hear of him again.
And they never had. When Father
Renshaw died Abby cherished long
ing hope that then her boy would
come home, but the years slipped
away and there was no message.
Thought Of him brought lines of
pain to her face. She looked old,
frail, so that Beatrice, parking her
car at the gate, thought, well. It's
time we did something. I don't be-
lieve she'll live through the winter"
Abby came forward with a glad
smile of welcome. Rare indeed were
visits from her fashionable daughter
in-law. Beatrice, You have come
to dinner with me. I said to my
self this morning when I dropped
the dishcloth. There. somebody's
coming So I went right to work
and made a johnny-cake and an
apple pie. Come in and take off your
things"
Beatrice slipped off her veavy coat
and sank down in the red-cushioned
rocker. "No, not my hat, mother. ]
really can't stay but minute. I've
tho most exciting news. You're COM
tng to live with us!'
Abby dropped the glove she was
about to lay upon the table. stoop-
ing to recover 1T, she lifted q face
.. BIT flushed with exertion. "Why,
Beatrice, 'spose you mean visit. I
had been thinking I might go and
stay with you a day or two"
fNo. mother, not a day or two. but
always. You simply can't stay on
here alone another winter. Clarence
worries about you all the time. And
now we have the new house there's
no reason at all why you shouldn't
come"
That's kind Of you and Clarence.
Beatrice, just as kind as II can be-"
exclaimed Abby appreciately, "but,
my child, I couldn't do it. I've got
my chickens to look after, and !
must keep q fire in the house or the
water would freeze, and my flowers.
Clarence needn't worry about me, I'm
all right. When 4 don't feel just
right tell the milk boy. and Phoebe
Shorter is always glad to come and
stay with me-
Beatrice Strengthened: Mother. you
must know that Father Renshaw
hardly left any money at all but this
place. It's been Ave years since he
died.
Finance was q blank page to Abby
Rsnshaw. Clarence had taken entire
charge at his fathers death. He had
told her there was money enough
for her to stay on at the old place
He had paid the bills: she had never
questioned or given it thought.
"You mean that there's no more
money-that I can't stay here because
there's. no money!"
Beatrice nodded. "But you will
have more money. Mother, FOR
Clarence has had the most wonderful
opportunity to sell the place. It's 60
old he never dreamed any one would
ever buy it; bat these people not only
want the house, but the furniture and
everythingr'
Abby rose st,fhy. TT think ]
left the drafts open on the kitchen
stove. Wait a minute-Tll go and
ses."
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