The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-10-25
Today's Short
 Story

A EYER vainly ringing at the front A door Beolia Tripp went round to
 the back door and peeping in through the screen saw little Mrs. Brien there at work.
 "My goodness P cried Beelia. of you aren't making pie! In the middle of the afternoon, toow
 q had to have a pie for Irvin's din ner tonight, and this is the first bit of time I've been able to find for it," re- piled Mrs. Brien. Come in Mrs. Tripp, do! And sit down. That chair is clean. I scrubbed it with the rest of the kitchen this morning. But I'll bring you one from the dining room, if you wish"
 "This is all right, but don't care to sit down. I'd rather stand"
 "Well, I'd like the chance to sit down." Mrs. Brien sighed, as she glanced wistfully at Beolia's dainty white costume-thin blouse, satin skirt silk stockings and low, graceful shoes. A fresh though slightly artificial wom- an was Beolia Tripp. She in her turn gazed disapprovingly at Mrs. Brien's bungalow apron and shoes with muddy heels. She hated muddy heels. Nice women never had them so. Indeed, just for the instant she questioned Mrs. Brien's recitude simply because of those unsightly and slightly runover heels.
 "I just had to see you about the benefit" Beolia said. Mrs Camp has backed out at the last moment. It is too provoking. I can't see why she should" ss.
 "She has so much to do," murmured Mrs. Brien, carefully trimming her pie.
 Beolia made a grimace.
 "You women That's always your excuse-so much to do. Really, don't see what you do with your time." A faint spark lighted in Mrs. Brien's hazel eyes. She looked at her visitor in astonishment. Were busy every minute" she said.
 "I know you are, and can't un- derstand 1t. You know, my dear, there's just the same amount of time for everybody. It all depends on how you use it. Take Mrs. Camp" Beolia went on glibly, "you know she never gets all her work done at one time. And there is only her and MT. Camp and the youngster. He's out from un- der foot too. I wish my girl was."
 "She will be before you know it" Mrs. Brien picked the crust and slid the pie into the oven. Then she went back to her molding board and pre- pared to make tarts out of the trim mings of dough.
 Well" Beolia said. five simply got to have some one help me during that benefit. l can't manage my booth alone. Mrs. Camp has backed out, T dare back out, Mrs. Brien. I'll never forgive you if you do.'
 "Oh, I won't" Mrs. Brien promised. Tripp. There's all the fall sewing for and must throw together a comfort or two before it gets cold and of course, house cleaning"
 CTS! Tied to your cook stoves. Never getting away from them"
 Mrs. Brien turned on her. You've never kept house, have you?" she de- manded.
 "No. boarded all my life before I was married and I'm boarding yet. You see, Dad died when I was a mere in fant and mother and I lived in small hOIe1 uHIu mdrH4Su NArs AH1Pp' AnoiI' of course, we had to board, as his work took him from place to place" Don't you get tired of boarding?" asked Mrs. Brien.
 'No, like it. Mir. Tripp grumbles now and then, but it is cheaper in the long run. So I suppose we shall keep on boarding till the end of the story. Well, must run along. Glad 4. 6aI, hands full, you know" She had left Dorothy, her three-year-old daughter, asleep, but she found her awake and in the arms of her father, who had re- turned home.
 Well, Beolia," said Mir. Tripp. 'Tvc signed up."
 Signed up?" Beolia gave him a look of incomprehension.
 "Yeah-Ive signed up for three years with Riggs and Skinner"
 Shall we have to stay here three whole yearsW Beolia looked dismayed. Why, l shall stay and you can if you want to-" Mir. Tripp laughed. But we'll leave this paradise. I've got wind of a little house just big enough for the three of us on Opal street close to my work, with lots of SEeoH. BTdbS IoE luo hIus 1Ou II nave chance now to try your hand at keep ing house, my dear"
 Beolia sat down suddenly. But I don't know the first thing about house. keeping" she gasped.
 You can learn. Ask your friends. And that chipper little Mrs. Brien, she'll show you how. And you'll be better off. You'll have something to do."
 Something to do! As if she did not have enough to do now with three clubs and the benefit and no knowing what else. If that wasn't just the man of it.
 Useless to beg off with MT. Tripp. He rented the house and insisted on as- sembling some furniture. Between the benefit and picking out curtains Be- olia felt she had never been so rushed in her life.
 And afterward. Of course, Mir. Tripp and Mrs. Otis, the obliging by-the-day who had an unlimited supply of elbow grease, hung shades and arranged fur