The Elk Mountain pilot., 1924-02-07
PIE FOR THE FAIR
BY JANE GORDON


p ICHARD WARREN was the ideal
~ of his mother. incidentally of his
sister, and after he came home from
college. of every young woman in his
home town.
The mother really was excusable be-
cause Richard was a devoted, unself-
ish son; Linda, too, had reason to
admire her generous, considerate
brother.
The village young women may have
been moved by his fine face and cour-
teous manner. But to outsiders the
repetition of her sons name in praise
made of Mrs. Warren an ofttimes
boresome companion.
If Rhoda May, from the city,
thought this. she was polite enough
to conceal the fact In undivided atten-
ton to the elder woman's conversa-
tion. 1t was Richard likes this" or
Richard likes that"-and one indis-
putable fact seemed to be Richards
aversion to the citified young woman
and her (supposed) frivolous ways.
Mrs. Warren had long ago settled
upon Myrtle Saunders as her sons fu-
ture wife. Myrtle had grown up In
the village and was well versed in
household art, Mrs. Warren so often
prated. Also. Richards mother had
future vision Of the stolid Myrtle,
installed in a home, as her own COM
fort and support.
1t was altogether likely, from pres
ent signs. that Linda would not re-
main unmarried to be her mothers
stay in old age.
Myrtle already could be counted
upon to come over In times Of illness
and assist in the family needs-her
only longed-for reward a smile Of ap-
probation from the young man whom
she secretly and meekly adored.
Miss Rhoda May had come as guest
to the Warren home under unexpected
circumstances.
Richard" the mother assured her,
will marry a home woman-one
skilled in ways of cooking and baking,
and free from nonsensical, useless
graces. Richard must have good
cakes; Richard Is very particular
about his pie.'
(which reminds me-" put in Linda,
Il have to have perfect pie for
our high school exhibit. And. NOM
mie, Richard has been selected to
award the prizes. Because he at
tended Hollworth, suppose. Poor
Dick; he's to be official taster."
Mrs. Warren sat up interested. II
must call up Myrtle, she said; "if ever
girl could make a delicious pie it's
Myrtle. And being a teacher. connect
ed with the school" Mrs. Warren
was on her way to the telephone.
Linda turned in distress to her
friend. Gosh - remarked Linda,
isn't it too much7 I'd like to send in
a pie; not keen for the glory, but I
need that five dollars for a special
purpose. And I'm no good at cooking;
mean to learn later"
Mrs. Warren came cheerfully from
the telephone. Myrtle intends to e1-
hibit," she said; (which reminds me,
I promised Richard an apple pie for
dinner tonight. I must make 1t be-
fore go to the missionary meeting"
Linda laughed wickedly. 'If," she
said in dramatic whisper, "you should
hear of the loss Of an apple pie from
the pantry, Rhoda. be sure the cat has
knocked it out the pantry window"
"Lindal" cried Rhoda May, you
wouldn't really steal your mothers
pie to exhibit as your own"
The fair was bound to be a success;
both scholars and teachers had worked
toward that end. "The cooking ex-
hibit," as the Hylan Press expressed
1t, was most commendable."
Richard Warren. prize manner, and
lately of Hollworth college, pro-
nounced the apple pie submitted by
his sister Linda as the perfect one
Of the many very good pies placed for
exhibition. He was not aware of his
sisters ownership of the pie until
later. when numbers were exchanged