The Glenwood post., 1923-08-02

tnat ne Regarded ner as superior
being, worlds removed from thE sort
of existence which he had known.
Before her he was sometimes shy, al
ways awkward, always self-conscious-
he, the nonchalant, self-possessed
Jerry Winston-and yet he stayed by
Mrs. Penfield wondered.
Certainly Prudence was different
from anyone else in The Custard Cup.
She was like a quiet little rowboat
that had strayed from its moorings
and had floated into a group Of varie-
gated craft. Always gentle and
friendly, she yet had the slightly
aloof manner of one whose thoughts
are turned often inward. So far
from being modified by her surround
ings, she had brought her own world
into them and kept 1t intact. Her
carefully preserved silk gown; the
fine old lace around the neck and edg-
ing the sleeves; her sweetly sad
poise; the calm expression of her
eyes-these set her apart from her
neighbors, intangibly but undeniably.
She had brought bit of crocheting
Mrs. Penfield got out her sewing
Jerry Winston nervously proffered
some "reminiscences of the Oregon
woods-in the interests of pillow
tops; Lettie was quietly cutting pic
lures out of an old Weatherstone mag
azine Conditions We're ideal for
congenial confab-when like bolt
vut of the blue. word came that Mrs.
Enslow's baby had been taKea i'll.
Would Mrs. Penfield come at once?
OF course she would
you entertain Miss Hapgood," she
reminded her household, with a part
ing wave of her hand. "Tll come back
as soon's 1 can"
No one knew upon whom the mantle
Of hospitality had fallen. Uncle Jerry
became more communicative about
trees and out-of-doors, strangely easier
now that his niece was gone. Lettie
however, understood that the honors
were hers. When Penzie was away,
surely she was the next hostess in
line. She put aside her pictures and
directed her mental energy to the
Qutsllou VI hospitality.
Talking ain't much good" she said
to herself. watching Uncle Jerry, who
was expatiating on the value of Ore
gon pine. "We'd oughter feed her.
Folks don't think they've had good
time to your house less they've ct"
This decision was cemented by the
fact that Miss Hapgood had treated
Drink and Lettie to cake a few days
before. 81 gotta feed her somep'n.
just gotta" She sprang to her feet
and stole into the kitchen.
She stood for some time, thinking.
Without looking she knew there were
no treats available in the cupboard !;
neither was 1t permissible to take self
help liberties between meals. She
would have to begin at the beginning
Crink was on the back steps, whit
ting pieces of wood which would
some time, with slight infusion Of
Imagination, be put together as a
steamboat. Lettie approached him
with utmost ingratiation.
"Got any money, Crink?" she in
quired gently.
"Well-er-why you wanter know
He looked up in shrewd caution. The
fact was that he had money; and al
though individuals have had more,
none ever felt greater responsibility.
Since he had been paid In cash by Mr..
Drake, Mrs. Penfield had presented
him with an old purse and had allowed
him to carry In 1t sum never ex-
ceeding twenty cents, usually In as
small change as provided by the
United States treasury. The very
loosest of this loose change he could
spend without supervision up to and
including ten cents a week; larger
investments were subject to decision
In conference. Crink's pride had
reached dangerous proportions. He
was even glad that the purse was old !;
1t looked more as though his financial
experience reached gratifyingly into
the past. Moreover, by keeping the
inside pocket of the purse stuffed
with chips from the kitchen woodpile,
he was able to give the impression of
abundant resources beyond the
amount which he chose to spend at
the moment.
let me have some money, Crink,"
Lettie begged. IT need 1t awful, and
I know you're most rich man."
He was hattered, but not wholly
overcome. "What do you want 1t forY'
She told him. "And we've gotta be
horspitle, CrInk. Penzie said to be.
and It's good chance to make her
happy"
After considerable persuasion,
Crink's will became enfeebled. and he
handed over two cents, to match the
two which Lettie had already ad.
mitted she possessed.
s"Glory bel" triumphed Lettie.
"Crlnk, you're all to the good. Now