Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1927-09-16

problem at Christmas, as she was three
hundred and sixty-four other days IN the
year. In the rare moments allowed her
for meditation Nary ransacked perplex-
edly her forgotten girlhood trying to re-
member If she, too, had made then such
Unsuitable demands on life. Was 1t be-
cause she had been the eldest Of a large
family, she wondered, that she had from
childhood shouldered unquestioningly the
burdens OF existence? Life had been 20
her always serious earnest, a thing OF
toll and stress, a battle to be fought in
accomplishing silence. Yet she had been
a prettier girl than Maisie. If she had
flung of responsibilities as resolutely as
her daughter, had reached out such COW
etous hands towards luxury and pleasure.
would they have been her portion instead
Of this ceaseless, bitter struggle? And
If so, would 1t have been right that they
should be?
Never bad a Christmas heralded a
blacker approach than that never to be
forgotten n There had been glimmers
Of brightness the three preceding years,
after Mrs. Witherspoon had taken the
McAlpin family, willy nilly, under her
| aggressive wing, had bullied Mary into
better quarters, and had ruthlessly ban
tshed the &c" from her hitherto inof-
fensive lame.
TITS got to be French. You've good
Aduhc, MILO, IAtfA1RAAt aA14 YOU 4C IA IA
conscientious dressmaker in New York,
but you can't hope to make any real
money In this burg unless you put it
over that you're french. Clothes and
Paris have Just got to be married in New
York City.
Maisie had taken to French extraction
like a duck to water, but only Inc lure of
an extra year in high school for Neil had
bent Mary to Mrs. Witherspoon's will,
She still flushed TO the alias, and even
for Neil, would never lie when forced
into the open by some too curious ques-
toner.
mo, / was born in Brooklyn she
would respond, leaving her to make what
differences she would.
Mrs. Wttherspoon's philosophy, how
ever, had justified itself. The circle OF
Mary's customers was steadily widening
customers with richer materials, fattei
p~ocketbooks, more exacting tempers. Just
as the yoke had seemed to be lifting ever
SO slightly from her chafed shoulders
Fate dealt two rapid blows n quick sue
cession: Maisie flung away her first good
position to escort to Florida Mrs. Vandier
Mary's most temperamental patron: hare
upon her desertion OF her mother al
Mary's busiest season came Neils sudder
and alarming illness. He had caught
cold delivering belated gowns In a heavy
snowstorm. " days later the doctor
gave q terrifying verdict OF pneumonla
Outside holly wreaths began to exhibit
their cheerful circles on street corners
and behind window panes; the stores be
came more seductive and more crowded
throngs jostled In and out OF them. fore
ing merry, chattertng paths up and dow
aisles and avenues; children grew dali.
more saucer-eyed. and even the mos
blase grownups caught something Of TIL
excitement and suspension OF the season
But In the little Lexington avenue apart
ment it might have been July or Marcl
for all It's inmates knew. Neil tossed III
silent and efficient, carried out the per
emptory orders Of the formidable docto