Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-01-28
THE EVENING STORY

get them on the line. But the NOR
row broke black with an autumnal
storm which ragged for three success
sive days. Then came telegram
from Edward. He was coming home
for the week end. Martha had to get
ready for his visit. She baked apple
pie. gingerbread, rusk, snowy bread.
Il chicken and a squash. Then when
Edward came there was no time for
anything. He had brought has car
and his chum, a young fellow or his
own age who worked at the same
place. Between motoring and feed
ing her guests Martha had her hands
full. She packed a snack for them
to take back to their lodgings-all the
good things that had not been con-
sumed Then she was so tired that
she simply had to rest.
1t was more than a week before
she remembered the sheets.
She did not go to the next sewing
meeting because Asa had q cold and
she never left him when he was not
feeling we'll But she appeared at the
third meeting. Julia Breen then read
letter of thanks from Mrs. Piper.
The sheets had filled a long-felt want.
Members of the society smiled at their
good Martha. But as she glanced
across the room she saw Nina Burton
looking at her with a curious express
sion. From that instant the memory
of that look of Minas weighed un-
comfortably with her.
After the meeting Nina attached
herself to Martha and walked home
with her.
"How did those sheets Of yours turn
out. Martha?" she asked.
Fine" Martha answered promptly.
You could hardly tell them from my
best ones, which | keep on the same
shelf. No wonder Mrs. Piper was
pleased. / should have been in her
place"
Nina was silent.
Don't you think Nina Burton is
getting a little PECULIAR" Martha
asked Mrs. Birch.
'Is she? Hadn't noticed
"She certainly is" returned Mar
tina, with emphasis.
Time of Fall housekeeping arrived
with warm, bright weather made for
the purpose. Martha always cleaned
her own house. She loved to do it.
Twice q year she thus took opportu-
nifty TO look over her precious stores.
'Shant need any Sheets" she
thought as she counted out the snowy
pile. A mystified look came over her
face. She began to lay one fragrant
fold upon the other. There were four
sheets she couldn't account for. Was
she getting forgetful? Well, her list
would tell the story.
She got out her little book. No,
there was no mistake. She had en-
tered the two new pairs she had
bleached at the same time she
bleached all those sheets for Mrs.
Piper Every one of her sheets was
accounted for But here were four
extra sheets
Oh, dear, The door had opened. It
was Mrs. Birch, who entered as she
pleased. Martha turned from the open
shelves of her press. Her startled
glance revealed the angry red of Mrs.
Birchs expressive face.
Martha Vesper," painted Mrs.
Birch, do you know what Mrs. Piper
is saying about you? I'd never stand
it if / were you. After the way you
bleached those sheets for her, too.
That's the way. Try to be kind to
person and they'll fling it back into
your face. I'll never do another thing
for that family as long as 1 live. A
good woman like you to be so ma
ligned'
Martha had turned pale.
Wait" Her throat was dry.
What does Annie say?"
she says, ripped out Mrs. BlfCn,
that you kept back four sheets that
the society intended she should have"
-Four sheetsv' Martha shut her
eyes.
You make her take back every
word" storned Mrs. Birch.
Martha fiffer her hand weakly to
her forehead.
"I-can't," she breathed. "I've got
the Standardization of them.
Count them yourself, Maria" Then,
as the full meaning of the affair
smote her, she burst into-laughter.
Il am certainly taken down a peg
this time" she gasped between
shrieks of merriment. Martha YES
per-stealing Annie Piper's I'M
bleached sheets" 1t was too much.
And after a long stare, Mrs. Birch
Joined Martha in a perfect gale of
fun.
An hour later Martha took the
sheets to Mrs. Piper. But somehow
she felt that she had not made
things right, especially with Nina
Burton. Nina would keep her own
opinion to the end. Even when she
explained at the next meeting of the
sewing society, Martha could see that
Nina looked down her nose.
1t was funny--the funniest thing
that had ever happened For it
proved that even the best people are
never free from the breath of scandal.
The End.