Evening star., 1924-12-14


hardware store in Asterville City
could not run itself indefinitely. no
matter how competent was the clerk
left in charge.
SO Roscoe Neal put it to Flora in
plain language: II never was in love
before or asked any girl to marry me.
But the minute saw you knew you
were the one for me, out of the
whole world. I love you, Flora, and
l want you to marry me-"
His eyes were steady, his hand on
hers was compelling. Flora, looking
up at him, answered to his steadi-
ness and his compulsion. And yet
how could she?
But the family. Roscoe. They'd be
lost without me. II only the chill
dren were a little older.
But you love me" said Roscoe.
''Yes, I do" said Flora. half
laughing, half-frowning. I'm just
all torn up about 1t. Never in my
minute to decide what to do. But
this. II there was only some
way. -
Wen find a way" said Roscoe.
They sat down and figured II out.
all through one long evening. At the
end of the evening they looked at
each other and smiled. and Roscoe
kissed her fervently.
'Ail the same, I feel like a traitor"
said Flora. But she didn't mean 1t.
And Roscoe knew she didn't.
So they went in and told the
family they were to be married.
After the first shock the family rose
in hilarious mass and took Roscoe to
its bosom. He became, de facto,
one of them, at once. But after the
hrst Jubliation they all got very
glum, and said:
But how in the world will we
ever get along without your
They meant. it, too, and Of all the
loving speeches that were made that
one was sweetest to Flora But she
explained to them her plans and
Roscoes
Il wish it wasn't so far away, but
I'll write all the time" she assured
them.
MARRIAGE is eternally the great
A'A adventure. greatest. perhaps. in
a case like Flora Janneys. But Flora
knew that she had chosen well. and
she was satisfied.
There was only one uncertainty,
and she tried not to think about that.
Not the commission house. though
the whole organization of that -four
in the air and said: But look-we
can't get along without Miss Janney"
And they collected an amazing sum
of money and bought her a silver tea
service that was perfectly over
whelming.
But the family-that was different.
There she really was indispensable
She knew it. Mrs. Pentz was more
irresponsible than the youthful v.o-
To-
faithful bringing home of his salary,
was little better Emmeline and
Cliffy were wonderful, just as good
as gold, and anxious to do the right
thing always, but--so terribly young.
so accustomed to Fiora's aid and
guidance.
To be sure. she had left them a
written budget. a schedule of duties.
a plan of life without her, which was
could understand IT. But
all the same oh, they tug
ged at her heartstrings, they lay
upon her conscience. And the way
they all chorused continually, 81
don't see how were going to get
along without you," while she loved
it. hurt her terribly.
No. it was too late now. She knew
that she was happy, happy with a
tre1uulOuS happiness SuCn
as pragmatism and power
had never supplied
1t was gorgeous-that arrival at
Asterville as a bride. 1t was a per-
fectly lovely place. Asterville. Ros-
Goes store was huge, really huge.
Three clerks, and the latest, most
up-to-date equipment. And as for
the bungalow, The comfort, the
convenience of it. The space. the
privacy-for one whose room had
had to accommodate Emmeline and
Violet. as well as herself. whose one
dresser and one closet had to be di-
yided by three. In the bungalow
there were six great closets. three
bedrooms, two baths! The fireplace
was real, not whiny gas logs. The
kitchen--but Flora's adjectives failed
when 1t came to the kitchen.
And her callers, Roscoe's friends
how kind they were. how nice, how
hom elike, how willing to help, to
keep her from loneliness. And Ros-
coe belonged to the community club.
and she was learning to drive his
little car.
JOYFUL chronicles like these formed
- the beginning of all Flora's let
ters home. But after that, advice and
direction. Violet was to have Mar
guerite's brown tricotine for school