Evening star., 1924-12-14
By Sophie Kerr

But" Flora began, and looked
again. The windows were brilliant
with light, and silhouetted against
them were great wreaths, green and
massive, tied with lavish red ribbons
Some one sent 'em as a present."
decided Flora-and pushed the bell.
The ipstant ecstatic hubbub that
arose was more than satisfying. ITS
FIora--it's Fiorar' shrieked Violet,
"Flora" They came running at the
word--Lester, Marguerite, CliYy, EN-
incline, Pentzy, Mrs. Pentz. They
seized on Flora, and hugged and kiss
ed her as II they never could stop.
They danced round her, they shouted.
they pranced, they patted and pulled
at her. Roscoe was more or less in
cluded in the general rejoicing, but the
center OF it was Flora.
Now, everything's o. k" declared
Mr.. Pentz, over and over, like genial
parrot. Old Miss Carmins came down
and Joined the resounding host.
Oh. 1t was all sweeter even than
Flora had imagined. But after a
while they quieted little and Flora
could look about her and ask ques-
tions. who sent these lovely
wreaths?" was her first inquiry.
A strange and disquieting silence
out nat. IL bought 'em---for mother"
said Clifford. in rather low voice.
Flora looked round at him and made
the discovery that he was smartly,
not to say fashionably dressed.
Clifford makes a lot of money
now" p!ped up loving little Violet,
since he stopped going to college and
went into the advertising agency. He
said he didn't see any sense of being
a doctor. anyway
Flora opened her lips to speak. but
could bring forth no words. Old Miss
Carmine watched her shrewdly.
And now Emmeline spoke up, and
Flora beheId that she too was we'll
and fashionably dressed-a tricky
little frock Of French blue crepe, silk
stockings. and buckled shoes.
"Oh. Flora" she said agttatedly,
'I've got to tell you. too. I've stopped
college and got place as model in
Maison Annie. l always was dumb
headed for books and I just loved
clothes. and I'm getting on fine. and
madame says maybe I'll get to be
q designer, I've got such good ideas
get 33b a week. ! ought to've writ
ten to you; but it was kind of hard
going against your ideas So
CTILL Flora did not speak. But she
- was sefng. All around the room
were signs OF pleasant luxury; a
talking machine, new cushions, a
pair Of painted vases, some bright
pictures, a smoking set for Pentzy
Violet took up the tale, proudly anx-
ious to display all the new delights
to this dearly loved sister.
And we got new furniture in En-
meline's room and the 'stalment man
comes every week to collect on It:
and we go to the movies two'n' three
times a week, all of ua; an listen,
Flora. we got q turkey for tomorrow
"a great big turkey. My. I'm glad
you're here to have some Of that tur-
key. We got fruit cake, too, and
mince pies, and plum pudding. and
lots of vegetables, and celery and
cranberry sauce, and Pa brought
home a f'-pound box Of the very best
chocolates, and now you and Roscoere
here and can have some of all of
them"
Turkey! Turkey in the city was So
cents a pound. Flora knew that.
Fruit cake. mince pie, plum pudding
"a 1ve-pound box OF the very best
chocolates. And all Of them dressed
to the nines-rhinestone pins shone in
Ma Pentz's hair, and she had a string
Of gaudy beans around her neck that
suited very well the fancy beaded