The Elk Mountain pilot., 1923-10-25

vi, , uear on dear, what can l do?"
Why, Lorene, I'll help. We"
Mrs. Penzie," shrieked the girl
wringing her hands in distress "vou
don't understand. Everything is ru.
ined."
"Ev'rythingr
yes. 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
oeen In there two minutes-look at
mel"
"Oh, my dear" begged Mrs. Pen.
field. don't cry. We've got to think
Of something"
we can't" walled the girl. There
Isn't anything to be-begin on. They
were all there-everything 1 own in
the world, everything I've been saving
for all these mo-months." She lifted
her head and looked at Mrs. Penfield
with streaming eyes. yes, I suppose
they can be cl-cleaned, but there isn't
time before tomorrow. There isn't
ti-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 it off and-and we can't
l can't be m-m-married like this, can
IT. She threw out her arms in a ges.
ture Of hopelessness.
Mrs. Penfield could not restrain n
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 it compared with the greater
calamity at home.
what can l do, Mrs. Penzie? /
can't ask Dick to take me like this"
mo, dear, you aren't going to-" Mrs.
Penfield 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 way out of this. So long as
there amt nothing more vital in the
path than SCOT and cinders, I 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. I'll 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
disaster. Part of her outfit had been
assembled for her trip; the rest was
tn 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.
the room, collecting washable articles
in big clothes-bag. From the clothes
press Lorene brought out the form or
which hung the beautiful suit in whicl
she was to have been married. Al
hour before, 1t had been delicate
brown, with narrow white vest. Bu'
even its cover had been taken off ant
folded. As Lorene looked at the sorr!
garment, her eyes filed again, hel
shoulders shook.
"Don't you care!" said Mrs. Pen
field cheerfully. "We'll send it to the
cleaners the first thing in the morn
ing. and like as not they'll cut thell
twenty-four-hour service to twelve
Then I'll send 1t to you by express
Now what do you think you'd bette
wear tomorrow This white georgett'
10 lovely, but you sure couldn't trave
in II. My idea would be this Sh'
lifted a gown of gray-blue silk figured
in a misty pattern.
Lorene shook her head. ut ISM
wash silk"
"J can wash It," affirmed Mrs. zen
ee,d stoutly. 81 can tell by the FEEL
ing of It," rn,o ,oovx
The door opened crack. The heavs
face of Mrs. Percy appeared. foiloweu
bv the lady herself as she percelveo
that the air was now free of It's soo''
burden. o, In fos
aAin't 1t a messl" she cried' IN ias
t,d,ous disgust. "Good heavens, 10
rene. I don't see what you were th,nk
Ing of not to keep an eye out. You
knew I'd lighted the heater, You've
certainly dlshed your own plans now
and you did 1t yourself, too lou
cpn't say that u - a..
"It's beautiful evening, amt II
Mrs PercyY' greeted Mrs. fehheiu
gen,alIy. "Did you notice the moon
1t,s bout the grandest we ever get, @
Mrs. Percy's neck stiffened, sn, @
tossed her head in offended aisns. ,
~ guess you don't need me II you s, +,
feeling so pert" she snapped. aao am,
door closed with decisive vehelnsnee