Palisadian., 1924-07-25
MARCLA'S
LIE WENT
TO SEED
By FLORENCE MELLISH
,.Ns.Ns.Ns.Ns.Ns.Ns.Ns.Ns


'Now, Marcia" Dwight Knowles
said in his decided way, don't let
Mrs. Fitch and her mother and their
bunch of gossips know where I'm GO
ing, or what for"
But what shall l tell them?'
Marcia faltered. They'll ask"
Tell them anything you like, ex.
cept that I'm going to Boston to take
the examination for the Suffolk bar
Ii l pass they'll know in good time.
Ii don't, the less said the better"
There goes Dwight Knowles with
a suitcase" said Mrs. Jarvis to her
daughter, Mrs. Fitch, leaning eagerly
forward in her easy chair. Now
Aurelia, why do you suppose he's
traipsing off to Boston the first week
of his vacation?"
Perhaps he's only taking some
clothes and things to his brother Har.
vey's folks" Aurelia suggested.
mo, he's too dressed up for that
It's my opinion he's started for Bos
ton. Just step into the bedroom
Aurelia, and see if he turns down to
the station"
"He has," Aurelia shouted from the
bedroom.
Il knew he would" the old lady
nodded.
He stopped minute at the Saw
yers' to speak to Burt" said Aurelia
coming back.
"Well, don't know what he had to
say to him."
Burt handed him out book,
Aurelia explained.
well, Aurelia, as soon as you gel
those dishes washed just slip out tC
the fence with that little pitcher OF
sour milk. Mrs. Knowles and Marcia
might like some griddle cakes with
their dinner, and you find out where
Dwight Knowles is going with that
suitcase"
Marcia ~ Aurelia called for the
third time.
ITS no use pretending not to hear,
Marcia sighed. "I'll have to CO."
She paused on the doorsill.
Mother, did 1 ever tell you lie
when 1 was little?"
"Never in your life, Marcia. don't
believe you could any more than little
George Washington"
Marcia set her lips grimly.
81 could now if l was obliged to-"
"Why, Marcia"
Marcia received the gift Of soul
milk with hurried acknowledgment
81 have cake in the oven," sht
apologized, as she turned to go.
"Wait minute, Marcia. You
mother can watch the oven. Dwigh
took an early start. l happened tt
be in the bedroom and l saw hin
headed for the station"
"Yes," Marcia assented. "He want
ed to catch the S:15."
Didn't you hate to have him &c
back to Boston so soon?"
"He isn't going to Boston. He:
only going to Franklin"
"Oh, Franklin. Have you got any
folks there?"
Marcia's face glowed with a sud
den inspiration.
1--WE shall have. He's gone to bt
married"
"That will put them off the scent fol
a while If anything WILL" she thought
"The weddings tomorrow" she
added.
Aurelia seemed stunned. my good
ness! /" she cried, partially recovering
Don't you want to go, Marcia? You
mother could stay with u.s."
mo, thank you; it's going to be {
very quiet affair. The ladys Just lef
off her mourning"
"Who for? Her parentsW
mo; her first husband. He's goinf
to marry widow, and they're going
right to housekeeping"
II wish I'd known sooner. / have
two bedroom sets in my east chamber
and a lot of other things I'd have lei
them have cheap"
"Oh, she has nice apartment al
furnished" Marcia's face kindlet
with a new,> strange joy in her OWL
powers of inventiOn-"nine rooms ans
q bath, and everything convenient"
"My goodness! gasped Aurelfi
again. HAS she got any children p
1.-TWO. The prettiest little girls yor
ever saw"
you've seen 'em, Marcia?"
"Only their pictures. Their names
are Beatrice and Hildegarde."
Marcia felt that If little George
Washington could only have started
out with one lie he might have gone
on indefinitely.
"Two girls. Well, Dwight will have
his hands full to take care of them