The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1923-05-11
CHAPTER xIII.-contInued.

n4d bettleu-duu 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
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
~ usual.
Mrs. Penfield went briskly around
the room, collecting washable articles
In big ciothes-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 csrel" said Mrs. Pen
field cheerfully. "We1l send it to the
cleaners the first thing in the morn
ing, and like as not they'll cut their
twenty-four-hour 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
II lovely, but you sure couldn't travel
In it. My idea would be this" She
lifted a gown Of gray-blue silk figured
in a misty pattern.
Lorene shook her head 'It isn't
wash silk"
Il can wash It," affirmed Mrs. Pen
field stoutly. 81 can tell by the feel
ing of it."
The door opened a crack. The heavy
face of Mrs. Percy appeared. followed
by the lady herself as she perceived
that the air was now free Of its sooty
burden.
"Ain't 1t a messI" she cried. in fas-
tidious disgust "Good heavens, Lo-
rene. don't see what you were think
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. You
can't say that +"
TITS a beautiful evening. amt 1t,
Mrs. PercyY greeted Mrs. Penfeld
genially. did you notice the moon7
It's bout the grandest we ever get"
Mrs. Percy's neck stiffened. She
tossed her head In offended dignity.
81 guess you don't need me If you're
feeling so pert" she snapped. The
door closed with decisive vehemence.
81 was wondering about a coat" re-
marked Mrs. Penfield quietly, as If
her thoughts had never strayed from
this subject. IF only--if l had
but mebbe you could"
81 can borrow coat. And oh,
wonder Yes, see My hat was in
its box and It's all right" Lorene
held up a small brown travelling hat
That's fine. My. but you're lucky
girl, Lorene. Now you take part of
these things and we'll go back and
get to work"
But scarcely had they reached Num-
Der AZ when Mrs. Penfield reversed
her orders. "Ain't no need for you
to stay, Lorene. Washing is a simple
thing for me, you know, and I'll en-
Joy doing something toward the occa-
sion. Besides, we might disturb the
children II you stayed. You run
along. You've got a lot Of trinkets to
scrub up and your hair to wash. I'll
put these white things a-soak and
squeeze 'em out. They can be ironed
later"
Lorene hesitated. II hate to have
you, buff set the alarm and come
over real early, you'll leave the Iron
ing for me, won't you? And 1t wouldn't
disturb your
Dear child. you can't disturb me.
Come over as early as you like
Lorene kissed her gratefully and
went.
Mrs. Penfeld started up the fire
and strung the kitchen with many
lines of heavy Irvine. Contrary to her
careless protestations, the task ahead
Of her was by no means simple.
Diversity WAS llS heyuOtt. oOllc VI
the things required hot water, some
cold, some lukewarm some demanded
soap, some could not survive It, Lace
had to be ripped out and cleansed
The blue silk was put
through water that had been made
milky by one of Mrs. Penfeld's washing
bags, devices of her own for the laun-
dering Of delicate colored fabrics. The
two tubs were supplemented by pans
and basins. Rinsing. blueing, starch
Ing, all took time. Even the drying
was a matter for constant supervision,
Encouragement, owing to the
heat In the room.
When 1t came to the ironing, Mrs.
PenfieId found the electric bulb zoo
Tar from the prescribed position of
her board; but by putting the lamp
IN top of the cupboard, she was able
to get sufficient light to go on with |
her work.
Day was breaking when Lorene |
,ame around the house. Seeing the
light, she went In softly; then stopped |
hort In amazemcnt. The kitchen was |