Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1927-04-21

ing to a rolling accompaniment OF
lightning as she mounted the steps to
the door Of the small brown house
which still bore her husbands name,
DIR. Ezra C. Frasier. Doctor Frasier
had been dead eight years and his
widow was now a saleswoman in the
dress department at CoIeman's big
department store.
1t had been hard day for Mil
dred, for she had sold but one dress,
although she had tried, as never be-
fore to please her customers. She
had a feeling that unless her sales
mounted up she was not going to be
retained much longer, and she trem-
hid with apprehension. Her last resort
home Ezra had given her. The chill
dren would not like that, for there
was bit of garden that Triyilla
loved But, Of course, they could not
stay there unless she could keep on
at the store. In fact, she had not gone
to. AS the children grew older they
needed more and more money, and
they were now practically using for
themselves every cent of the small
income Ezra had left her. Thus she
had been forced to provide for her.
self and almost entirely for the house
out Of her small earnings.
AS Mildred entered her living
room, after having hung up her coat
and hat, her daughter sprang up from
the sagging davenport. Trivilla was
fifteen, tall, slim, fat-fgured, yet
with look of grace and pliancy
that convinced one of an immense
store of vitality. She was like an
American Beauty rose-just that RAJ
dance and perfection. Flowing hair,
brilliant skin, eyes like hand-polish
ed agate and mouth which dared
the whole world 30 kiss her. Mil
bred had never been like that, and
she paused now to gaze at her daugh-
ter; wondering where Trivillas beauty
mad come from.
.'Motherl' Trivilla said excitedly.
Leon and I have asked Mr.. Boyd
to dinner"
Mildred turned pale.
but, dearest" she began helpless
ly.
IT know. There wasn't a thing in
the house to eat this morning after
we cleaned up the breakfast table
and built our lunches. But there is
now. Leon got whopping big steak
and I stopped at the delicatessen's
for pie and potato salad. And If you
could just make cup Of good cot
fee
Il can. of course" Mildred replied.
She went on to the kitchen.
A moment she stood with her eyes
shut trying to pull herself together.
Then she reached for the coffee per-
colator.
John Boyd had been a friend of
her husbands He had gone west
soon after Ezra's death and had re-
turned within the year. The first
time he had called after his return
he had seemed to be greatly i'm
pressed with both children, Leon par
ticularly, and had made real friend
of him, and the boy had improved
wonderfully under the mans fine
training. But his feeling for Trivilla
seemed altogether different. Mildred
suspected that some day, when the
girl was old enough to know her own
mind, John Boyd was going to pro-
pose to her. Until then he was win
ming her by every means in his power
1t would be a splendid thing for
Trivilla to have this handsome, rich,
intellectual mans love, and Mildred
was glad for her daughters sake. But
there was something In her own heart
that terrified her. She herself loved
John Boyd
Triyilla came into the kitchen
presently.
Mother, Mr.. Boyd is here. Aren't
you going to fix up or anythingY
Mildred smiled. "No. Won't / dor
.sOh, you will do" But Trivilla was
frankly disparaging. "Only hate that
sloppy old dyed blue thing and your
hair is rough. Let me smooth it." She
attempted to pat smooth the rich
braids of dull brown hair which COW
cred her mothers head
Mildred went In to greet her chill
dren's guest. She found Leon sit
ting on the arm of Johns chair with
his arm frankly about Johns shout
ders, Leon was thirteen.
1--WE pretty near had to kidnap
him, mother" Leon proclaimed, as
John arose to shake hands with her
At the table Trivilla was captivat-
ing. She loved good food and a
guest and she and Leon talked gay
" while Mildred sat In apparent
serenity with no outward display Of
uneasiness or heartache.
AS dessert was served the storm
broke In fury and the lights went
ont. Trivilla brought her pink can
dies and Leon produced fashlight
they laughed as they CROPPED among
the dishes.
If Trivilla had been lovely under