The Monmouth inquirer. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1865-1933, 1925-07-02

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hose to wear with good frocks. Seems
to me might have one pair, at east,
mama. Can't I? / wish you could
see. Ora's. They we're clicked beauti-
fully. But she says they have some
at Gregory's that are just as pretty,
though tribe more expensive, of
course"
As her mother did not answer
she picked up the hand mirror and ex-
amined her face critically
81 declare, If haven't got new
lot of freckles since morning right
across the bridge of my nose! How
( provoking!" She gave a prolonged
sigh
What are we going to have for tea
mama, and when are we going to have
1t? Pm as hungry as a bear Heigh-
| no! We had dandy luncheon at
Ora's-ice cream and most heavenly
salad! But Mr. Hall wouldn't stay.
He said he had urgent business down
town. o, it's nice to have money like
the Omissions have. | don't see why
we haven't any. Some one, way back,
must have bungled dreadfully- either
father or grandfather
Frances WINGED. AS she turned her
face away tears came with a rush.
She could not speak
Fanny, having freed her mind, ap-
piled cold cream to her nose and
drifted off downstairs whence came
presently the merry jangling of the
piano. When an hour later Frances
went down to get tea she found that a
girl friend had come in and that
Fanny had invited her to stay.
You can stay just as well as not,
Edna. l don't know what we shall
have. never do know Mama always
manages that.
Your mother Is a dear, Fam" re-
piled the girl "She is perfectly lovely
to all your friends. But do you know,
often wonder If when she looks on
at us having our good times, she isn't
lonely?"
20, perhaps, but she has had her
day" returned Fanny, carelessly.
Frances heard with a pang. Yes,
she had had her day, and very I'M
satisfactory day it had been. When
tea was ready she called the girls and
they ate heartily. She herself could
swallow no more than a bit of bread
and cup of tea.
"You don't look WELL" Edna sug-
gested, kindly. "Don't you find the
heat very enervating?"
Il do, indeed" Frances answered.
Il never remember it to have set in
so early as this season.
"And you can remember a good
way back, can't you mama?" in
quired Fanny, mischievously.
Just twice as Tar as you can, my
DEAR
After tea Edna went home ito get
ready for the party and Fanny flew
upstairs for the same purpose. Twice
she called her mother to perform lit
tie services for her. She grumbled a
little because her collar wouldn't pin
straight, and because some of the
hooks had been flattened under the
iron. But at last she was dressed and
set OF for the party, a picture of
youth and freshness and loneliness.
Frances, from the veranda, watched
her go down the street; then she
dropped upon the steps, in her old
girlish attitude, her elbows on her
knees and her chin between her
palms. 1t was a beautiful, sweet
smelling, soothing time, and as Fran
ces sat there she became calm, almost
at peace with herself and all her diff
cult affairs. She had had her day.
She had lived her youth! Why rebel?
The street was quiet and presently
when footsteps sounded they had al
most startling effect upon the still
ness. Frances listened. Nearer and
nearer they came, turned in at her
walk, stopped at her steps. She look
ed up dazedly into the face of the man
who stood before her.
Good evening Frances" he said,
cheerfully. He sat down beside her,
removed his hat and rumpled up his
hair. Frances struggled to speak.
When at last she did these words
came in frigid tone: Fanny isn't
here" It was not what she meant to
say, but it was the thing that was
first in her mind, and in her nervous
ness she gave it expression. He re-
ceived the remark calmly.
II know. Gone to the Lofts party.
Too young affair for you and me,
Frances, though we aren't so old,
either Do you know what | thought
today as I saw you ironing in that
furnace of a kitchen?" His voice had
the determination Of desperate pur-
pose. Il thought that life might have
, been very different for you if you had
entrusted 1t to me 20 years ago"
1T wasn't my fault" poor Frances
gasped out miserably. Father made
me do as did"
He turned on her sternly.
IF he did why. in heavens name,
do you treat me as you do? Don't
you know came back because 1
couldn't live any longer. without see
ing you? But / haven't been able to