Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1924-01-18
TOO MANY BEAUXo

BY RUTH BIRDsALL


that Belcher girls too pretty. 'Tain't
right"
Miss Emanda Jinkins, with n deter
mined click of her very false teeth
adjusted her steel-bowed spectacles
and sat down.
The Charity circle was holding its
weekly meeting. The towns half dozen
cut-and-dried spinsters, the two Pals
ley widows, old Lizzie Harnold, Sara
Tucker, Squire Fishdyke's wife, and
Mrs. Worthy, the timid little wife of
the village parson, were present and
discussing the only summer boarder in
the village who had unconsciously be.
come the one stimulant of the season
ITS pity she's so pretty" sighed
Ida Paisley, soulfully. shed a made
real nice wife for some good man,
or teacher, but to be only a summer
boarder 'Tain't natural"
Maybe somebody ought to call and
talk to her." suggested Sara. 81 amt
hankerin' for the job myself, but I'd
go with somebody else, If they'd do
the talking. l amt much on words"
Him. snapped Emanda. "If you
amt, why do you use so many? l
don't see why shouldn't go. She don't
huster me. II I'd wanted to curl my
hair and wear stills for shoes and
nothing but lace for undergarments, I
could a had beaux myself.
How do you know what she wears.
Emandaf" chlrped Ida Paisley.
Il guess | can see folks washin's on
the line BLOWN right in my face, can't
~ Such a show of lace and ribbons
dyln'! | shouldn't think Mrs. Blxby'd
tolerate It,"
Let us not censure," soothed Mrs.
Worthy. Mrs. Blxby may be trying
to do good by harboring this young
woman. My husband has seen the
young lady, and finds no trace of de-
prayity, but says that she seems most
cultivated"
"CnlilvntedT" shrleked half dozen
throats.
Maybe it's all right for a man like
your husband to talk that way about n
girl who's upsettln' our village and has
three automobiles lined up in front of
her door at once. This afternoon. a
towern' car drove up and let out n
man dressed up like no mothers son
ought 10 be. Half an hour later. car
low Ike n lumber pung. came to a qulcl,
s1"p in front of the gate and chap In
Write ilannels and no hat jumped out.
] saw II myself"
did You say there was third auto,
too, 'Manda?" asked one of the party.
Eyes, and what's more, 1t didn't drop
one man out, but three of 'em. That
Rose Bplcher amt going to be content
long before she'll try for our village
men folks"
4 shudder ran up every mothers
spine a terrified gasp of last hopes
shattered escaped from every spinster
Act now, says" continued
Amanda. put Il to n vote. All the
ladies who feel 1t our duty to send
and show her the errors of her ways
please signify It in the usual custom
The ayes have it. Now, who Is going
to be the committee7 T. for one, will
volunteer"
A moment Of silence, then Bedlam
Mrs. Worthy came TO the rescue.
Ladies, is 1t not meet that we all
go? ] propose that we cease our work
half hour earlier than usual deslst
from our usual cup Of tea, and call at
Sister BIxbys house as u body. Many
heads are better than one"
Chairs were scraping, spools drop.
ping, aprons switching when the door
opened. Rose Belcher paused on the
threshold.
MAY ! come ln7 You probably don't
know who I am but I have seen you
good women gathering here all sum.
mer and I'm dying to meet you all. Tn
Rose Belcher, from Mrs. Bixby's house.
Dear Mrs Blxby Is always busy
A stunned silence. out Of which Mrs
Worthy, with dignity and honeyed
voice, rose.
AT last, my dear sister, you have
come TO the fold"
Eyes, indeed, I'll fold. It Is band
ages, or--T
NO" snapped Emanda Jlnkins,
crisply. mot bandages, bed quilts"
BED quiltsf" smiled Rose. "My
grandmother helped me make one when
was a little girl, and my hubble says
that It Is prettier than any other quilt
we have"
"Your what2" from dozen throats
my quilt" answered Rose.
"No, no." stumbled Emanda Jinklns
"Who'd you say likes your quiltT
my husband" fitting her sleek eye
brows.
A sigh oozed out Of the Charity cir
Gle.
Come In, Mrs. Belcher. Have cup
Of tea. We're about to brew IT," In
vited Sara Tucker
THANK you; you're all so kind. !
need friends today. I've just said good
by TO my dearest uncle for year, and
II makes me feel lonely. He stopped
with his sons and | couldn't half talk
to them, because book agent was
trying to sell me set Of something,
and boy had come from town TO tune
Mrs. Blxby's piano for me. Every
thing was all lnmbled up, go came
here for refuge"
"You are right my dear" purred
Mrs. Worthy. 1--WE aim 10 be just that
a refuge"
"Hm," said Emanda Jlnklns, and her
voice was less rasping. 81 guess that's
what we aim Mt bein', but we don't
always hit the target. Mrs. Belcher,
do you crochet? thought If you did,
you might give me the patterns for
some Of them edges that ! see out on
Mrs. Blxby's clothesllnes every Mon
day"