Evening star., 1926-11-13

that Mrs. Baldwin awaited the yer
dict on her carefully planned meals
Two attractive girls they were as
they entered the apartment. Helen
was darkey and vivacious Martha
blond and serious. But a frown on
each pretty brow. Probably worried
over some petty Office difficulties.
Mother Baldwin wes tired, too, but
she seldom complained. Up early that
morning. she had cleaned the little
apartment. washed silken lingerie
that the laundry would have ruined.
hung fresh curtains and finished
Helen's new blouse. After that 1t was
time to start dinner.
But there. they were good girlsi She
felt she should be thankful for the
good home they provided. So she
tried to help in every way. Their
lingerie was the envy of their girl
friends. for Mother Baldwin could
work magic with a few yards OF silk
and skein or SO of embroidery
thread. She could even make party
gowns and sport frocks. All at q
great saving.
The girls ate silently. absorbed in
thought.
Did YOU girls have good day"
she asked.
Beautiful, ironically from Mar.
tha. Hot as blazes downtown. Wish
"Why, l have chance to go 10
Colorado" exclaimed Helen, coming
out of her reverie.
How? When?" cried mother and
sister.
"Our firm is opening a branch In
Denver. Mr.. Bond is taking his
family out soon and will have charge
He wants me to go, as I've always
taken his dictation, and stay In Den
q
Same salary, but my railroad fare
paid.
"Oh. Helen. if you could only go,
mourned Martha.
"Of course. she can go. Why not?
demanded Mrs. Baldwin.
'You know perfectly well we can't
keep up this establishment and pay
board elsewhere" snapped Martha. 81
have an opportunity to go down to the
camp by the lake which the firm has
started for the office force. / can GO
back and forth daily and If I'll act as
counselor to the younger girls my
room rent will be free. But the com
mutation fare is high. and there's"
Met whispered Mrs. Baldwin. un-
derstanding. SO her girls were TO be
denied these pleasures because of her.
And she had thought she was helping
Now. mother. don't worry. We
intend to take care of you." said
Martha, crisply.
Certainly we will support our
mother" chimed in Helen. virtuously
$50 let's forget it!'
But Mrs. Baldwin wasn't the for
getting kind. Long after the girls
were asleep she tossed. trying tO
think of 81 solution. But she was w
at dawn. pressing out the girls
frocks. preparing an appetizing break
fast
After they had gone she turned 70
the newspaper listlessly. Something
caught her eye; she reread it Gag
erly.
"Why-I wonder if-?" She got
out writing materials and penned &
note. almost tremblingly, then mailed
it before she could change her mind.
Several days later she announced
chcerfully, 1--WE found the answer
'To WHAT" abstractedly from the
girls.
ITO your vacation problem. III
visit Cousin Lucy in the country; We'll
give up the apartment and store the
furniture awhile"
But, mother-you dor't like Elm
hurst"
1T will be nice and quiet there"
said Mrs. Baldwin firmly.
The girls left first, so Mrs. Bald
win packed alone. Her letters came
from Elmhurst frequently. "Busy.
Having a pleasant time
II suppose she is working herself
to death putting up fruit for Cousin
Lucy" grumbled Martha. I'll be
glad to taste mothers cooking again.
The camp fare is so poor. And I'm
spending nearly as much for my
meals as Helen and 1 together gave
mother for groceries. How did she
manage so Well?"
In August Helen wrote she was
homesick. my, l wish l could taste
mothers salads. / hate restaurants!
Martha. 1 saw your mother the
other day" said a girl in the office.
How we'll she looks. She was wear
ing such pretty blue linen dress"
why. mother is a hundred miles
from here" laughed Martha. "And
she hasn't any blue linen dress.''
Then it was her twin sister," the
-irl insisted.
1t made Martha thoughtful all aft.
ernoon What was mother doing?
And blue linen dress, Come to think
of it, mother hadn't had new dress
in ages. She must run into the stores,
now the sales were on, and get some,
thing nice for mother"
Helen came home unexpectedly next
week. Couldn't stand 1t away q
minute longer. she confessed. Lets
get mother and start to live again."
They wired her, but instead came
the answer from Cousin Lucy: mot
here; will send address later"
Two days of anxiety followed.
What could have happened? Finally
came telegram giving an address
right in their own city. Frenziedly
they got taxi. 1t stopped before
modest suburban home. Some one in
cool white met them at the door.
Mother" sobbed the girls, falling
on her neck. "What-are you doing
here? You aren't married.
shrieked Helen.
There's not a soul in this house
but five lone woman folks" loughed
Mrs. Baldwin.
But why how"
Mother setted them in easy chairs
and brought tinkling glasses before
| she replied
II saw an advertisement where four
business girls wanted a good. mother
woman to look after them. I ap-
| piled for the job-and there / am!'
You're not servant?" flashed
Martha suddenly, storm rising in her
eyes.
Certainly not" returned Mrs. Bald
/ win with dignity. II do it for them
as if they were my own girls-cOok
| for them, pet them, chaperone them"
But Cousin Lucy?" puzzled
Helen. /;
"She was in the secret" explained
| mother. II really did visit her for q
week and after that sent my letters
to her. Then she mailed them to you.
| You will love the girls here. Two
| are orphans, poor dears. They all
treat me as if / were their mother,
| bless their hearts. Her own girls
| glanced jealously at her
''DO-dO they pay you?" awe-struck.
| Fifteen dollars a week besides
room and board. | have such a pretty
| room: come see It,"
| Sham chedly ~ - renenoharad tho