The Elk Mountain pilot., 1924-05-22
The Outer
Raiment
By EDNA BOUTWELL,

DoyiSh.
Mother, aren't you glad you're going
to Chicago with Dad next Friday?"
This from pretty sixteen-year-old
Maud.
"Of course she is. Wouldn't l be,
. thought" And the irrepressible Bobby
dug a spoon viciously into his grape
fruit.
Mr.. Homer glanced at his wife as he
put on his shabby coat.
Here, Alice" He tucked four crisp
$40 bills into her hand.
why, Fredl' Delight and amaze
ment were mingled in her voice.
That's for new suit. I want to
be proud Of you, Alice, when we go.
really believe you look younger every
day."
She flushed at the unusual compli-
ment.
It's time she had a new one, Dad"
And Maud looked at her mother accus-
ingly. "She never gets anything new
for herself. She spends all she has on
u.s."
Hush, Maud" mother entreated.
The merciless voice went on: II bet
she won't spend bit of that on her.
self. Last time"
By the time the children were off to
school, the house set to rights, and the
dinner planned, 1t was noon. No going
to town that day.
Guess I'll go this afternoon" she
thought. 'Let me see. think brown
suit would be real pretty. Fred al
ways liked me in brown. Who can
that be at the doorbell?"
you say the bill is S15?" Mrs. Ho-
mer smiled brightly at the man.
"Yes, ma'am. Been owing since last
fall"
'I'll pay it" She passed him two
crisp bills.
Il guess l can get a good suit for
twenty-five" she mused, as she closed
the door. Il won't mention the bill
to Fred. Poor man, he has enough to
| pay" She moved about the kitchen
softly as she set the table. 'Now
| wonder"
Hello, Alice!"
You dear girl-where did you come
from?'
The plump caller settled down in
the worn rocker. She clasped her
| hands nervously.
"Oh, Alice, you'll think I'm terrible.
But John is out of work, the baby's
sick-if l only had ten dollars" The
tears came.
Indeed you shall have it. Here II
is" And, giving her a comforting kiss,
Mrs. Homer laid the ten dollars in her
lap. Don't say a word about it. And
don't worry about things. You know
everything ends right some time.
Won't you stay 20 dinner. No? Well.
come again soon." She closed the door.
II think p'raps l can fix over my
old suit. I'll get some lining for it
and new hat. That will be fine she
reassured herself as she lifted the
fiaky biscuits from the oven.
Hey, mai" yelled Bobby, his cheeks
glowing. "All the fellows in school are
going to get baseball suits. Only five
dollars Can l have one? Please, ma -
Hush, child. Don't make so much
noise. No, I'm afraid you can't have
| one. Some other time perhaps She
broke off. There was real disappoint-
ment in his chubby face. After all, he
new lining for her suit. The old one
could be cleaned.
well, l guess we can manage IL,
Bob. But you mustn't tell Maud" She
was terribly afraid Of her daughters
| frank remarks about women who
spoiled boys.
"Hurrahl You're a sport, ma. Gee
All the boys wish they had you for a
mother"
Mrs. Homer's eyes glOwed softly as
she turned and looked out the win
dow. That bit Of slang from a child's
lips was no mean tribute. A moment
Only ten dollars left! How should she
manage?
Thursday was beautiful day. A
little breeze blew into the tiny sitting
| room, where Mrs. Homer sat sewing.
She was cutting and stitching away so
| busily she didn't hear her neighbors
tread on the stairs until she stood be-
| fore her.
"Oh, Mrs. Homerr" The caller nerv-
o1sly twisted the corner of her apron.
Il hate to bother you when you're so
busy. but my aunt died yesterday, and
I've got to go to the funeral. If you
could help me fix my old suit I'd be all
| right"
"Of course WILL" beamed Mrs. Ho-
mer. go get it. and We'll begin right
away. l can finish mine later"
But 1t was two o'clock before the
grateful neighbor wended her way
homeward.
Even If she did her very best, she
reasoned, she couldn't finish her own
suit and go in town for hat. She
compromised by buying little hat at
one of the local stores for $5, and a
little lace collar for one of her old
dresses. She couldn't help but bring
Maud dear little scarf that was