Evening star., 1924-12-14

the money deposited in the nearest
savings bank and her bank book be-
came her greatest treasures. 1t was
tremendous race with time as to
whether she'd have enough when she
was ready to take the course, but
Flora won. And when she was
eighteen and a half she had gone
through business college like a
streak" and became a stenographer
and typist in big commission house
at the magnificent salary of Sl4 per
week.
The money eased the financial stu
alton, but her youth of concentrated
thrift had nodded her definitely.
We've got to save to put the chill
dren through college, now" she said
to her mother and Pentzy. II want
them to have good educations, so
they'll be somebody when they grow
up"
TT sounds like drab, c~sry
chronicle. the story of Flora jan
ney's childhood and youth. But it
was fall of laughter and of loving,
for the little half brothers and sis
ters saw to that. And Flora's was
no denied and thwarted nature. She
liked to rule, and rule she did, with
an extraordinary amount Of foresight
and good judgment The savings ac-
count began to swell and plump itself
again.
The very set and tilt of Flora jan
ney's square little chin gave the fam
ily something to live up to. She
hauled them all upward and on by
sheer will power. The commission
house where she was employed raised
her salary every year as regularly as
the calendar changed, and handed her
a pretty sum for bonus besides. The
savings bank account grew into four
figures, and was invested in safe
and sure bonds.
Emmeline had been pushed. pulled
and prodded through high school and
was reluctantly entering college when
Flora was IS; Cliffy had another
year in high school to go, and then
he. too. was college bound, eventually
to become a doctor; Marguerite, Les
ter, and Violet were all making their
way on the lower rung of the educa-
tional ladder which Flora's win i'm
PEELED them to tread.
When
Roscoe Neal made his appearance ca
the Pentz-Janney horizon. He WIS
the nephew of a childhood friend If
Miss Carmine's and had been sent ~
his aunt to look up the old lady. He
came strolling rather uncertainty
down the street, his eye squirting at
the old faded street numbers, just
as Flora got back from her days
work. She passed him, and he noted
her plain dress, her quick light step,
with approval. She was at her door,
putting in her key, when he stopped
at the foot of the step.
why, this is number 45," he said.
half to himself and half to her. Flora
looked down the stoop and saw big.
square young man with a sort OF
countrified air about him.
You are looking for number 45?"
she inquired crisply.
Roscoe took off his hat. I'm look
ing for a Miss Carmine," he explained.
Miss Minnie Carmine. DE- you know
If she lives here?" His voice was
soft and deep, with that kindly in
nection that so many meh have who
talk but little.
Come in," said Flora; I'll see
about it," For of course she was not
going to let any stranger who came
along bother Miss Carmine. 1t might
be one Of these agents-you never
can tell.
She brought Roscoe into the Pentz
sitting room, found out his business
and all about him, and had sent Vio-
let up to tell Miss Carmine before
the bewildered Roscoe realized what
was happening. But his mental
processes were sure. If not volcanic.
This competent blue-eyed young
woman who so calmly assorted and
arranged him caught and interested
him. AS he waited for Miss Carmine
he observed that she had kissed the
children. whisked the room into bet
ter order. decided a wavering ques-
tion or two of her mothers and then.
in
pleasantly, You just sit and have
your visit right here. We're all going
downstairs" Whereupon, the whole
troop had disappeared.
who is that young lady?" asked
Roscoe presently, when his identity
as Ella Fowlerthat-was nephew
had been established and Miss Car
mine had told him that the last time
she saw him he was a little red
headed baby riding in his gocart and
as solemn as judge.
Miss Carmine explained, adding, as
was usual, Il tell you, that's one
girl with sense"
To this Roscoe made no answer. He
proceeded slowly but certainly for
ward.
II guess 1 might call you Aunt
Minnie" was his first step, and the
way old Miss Carmine smiled and
bridled was earnest that his cause of
direction was good.
i've been right lonely and dull