The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-02-04
TODAY'S SHORT STORY
AWAKENED INTERESTS

 1 heavens sake, take a comfortable chair and rest yourself for once"
 But Clarissa took the hardest chair in the room and sat on the edge of it. Then she proceeded to explain her errand and produced her tiny. package.
 T may not have long to tarry now" she said, plaintively. At my age one never knows when one may be called. And l wanted you to have this, Ansie.'
 Angie looked down A the little pin and her eyes misted.
 Thank you. Clarissa. dear. I shall prize this,'' she said, and ignored the rest.
 Then she absented herself from tho room for few minutes and came \ back trundling tea wagon simply 4 laden with piping hot tea and cream and wondrous small cakes.
 Orange ge-pekoe-it won't hurt you" she said. And these cakes came from London-Hartley's you know. Help yourself, my dear.' tsa
 Clarissa munched and slipped and en- joyed.
 You hold your age wonderfully" she said wistfully.
 Why not? I'm only 71-good for fifteen years. We old women cer- tainly ought to have message for the younger ones after all we've been through. Wait a minute, Clarissa. want you to see new hat I got to- day"
 She went from the room and return ed with the hat.
 ''Take off that dead crow and put this on," she commanded.
 "Oh, no-no" gasped Clarissa.
 But Angie had her way Shocked, Clarissa peeped at her self in the glass. The hat was black, it was true, but such black, so chic of line, so fascinat- ing with pale tinted flowers discreet ly yelled 8tAe
 Takes five years off your age, and if you had your hair crimped it would take ten" said Angie, critically. Ut is shame you don't get you some decent clothes, Clarissa. a good-look ing woman like you. With your color you'd look fine in gray" M
 "Oh. myi' chirped Clarissa But she was enchanted. Clothes 'nowf She had not thought of them for years. He~ heart tripped, her cheeks burned. She hated to take of that hat.
 Don't! Angie said. Wear it. It is yours. I can get me another. Shs gave toss. There was a rustic of ascending flame. Clarissa gave a scream. But it was to late The, fire place had consumed the dead crow"
 She went home palpitating. As she entered she saw Joan just turning from the glass. Swiftly Joan covered some thing at her throat with her hand | nar "a new hat! With pink roses-and so becoming v
 Clarissa related her adventure A bit excitedly
 Angie threw my old hat into the fireplace. Oh, Joan! I'm going to get me new dress and go to the womans club with her. 1t isn't en- tlreiy for young folks. It's for folks who mean to stay young as long as they can. sJ '- -
 Slowly, shyly< Joan drew away her hand
 ''Look.' she said. Mary Potter put 1t on me and wished it on. Pm not to take it off till she says. else Il spoil the wish. I've always wanted one-and I'm not too old to wear it., beads. '
 heii, TOT mercy sake y! CaIris. sa said. You have got a good-Iook. Joan. se'
 "I'm only 70.' Joan said wistful,y Eve got fifteen years yet. Why waste them:' She was quoting Mary Pot. ter. os
 I've got fifteen years, too" sa;d Clarissa with surprising energy. aAiy land, Joan! That's-that's q fortuns in time' s..'s rs
 Joan jingled her beads Sffectionately.
 Mary said I was to come right back over and bring you to supper to- night. Will you go, ClarissaT' she asked.
 ClArissa gave last brink before the mirror.
 I'm ready to go anywhere" she an, swered.
 Copyright, 1924. by W. werner)
 Feeding of salmon on crustaceans and their eggs is said to cause the yivi6 j color of the fish's flesh.