Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1927-04-28

Nv II linen sent TO her by her
sister was just sufficient for
Juniors rompers. In the same parcel
also there had been an old brown silk
dress of Jennie's which dyed deeper
shade would make her lovely blouse.
She was very clever with the needle
and hand-downs of any sort became
charming clothing once she set to
work upon them.
1t was raining and that made fine
day for sewing. She meant to get
Juniors rompers finished and on him
six o'clock. She glanced at him lovingly
as he sat playing with his blocks.
With his sunny hair, like Wits, and
his bright color, like her own, he
would be exquisite in the blue linen.
She could see VIII catching him up,
kissing him and going wild over his
chubby loneliness.
Margaret sang as she sewed. She
was SO very happy. To be young,
loved ant loving, with baby like
whole 500 month to live on-what
more could one want? She envied no.
body, not even Mrs. Kendall. who lived
next door, although Mrs. Kendall's pos
sessions were such that most people
thought she lacked nothing In the
whole world.
Some one pushed the bell and
Margaret went to open the door. 1t
was Mrs. Kendall herself Mrs. Ken
dali sat down and loosened her coat.
She ignored Juniors uplifted flower
face.
Such nasty weather." she muir
nured. Il hate staying indoors. But
then l hate equally motoring in the
rain"
I'm rather partial to rain myself.
It gives one such sense of snug
ness" Margaret said. "Don't put that
in your mouth, Junior"
''What "a high color I" remarked
Mrs. Kendall, apparently seeing the
child for the first time. "Worms7"
"Oh, mo-" Mrgaret flushed. 1T is
natural. He is perfectly healthy"
zone can never tell with children
and dogs supposeY Mrs. Kendall lift
ed her arrowy black eyebrows My
dear little Mimi nearly died with in
digestion last night. We called the
veterinarian. 1t was all that stupid
Ada's fault. I've told her repeatedly not
to give Mimi cream and salmon at the
same time"
There was silence while Margaret
wondered If Mrs. Kendall had mean
ingly compared Junior with Mimi.
Children and dogs She tried to
change the subject but nothing
seemed TO please Mrs. Kendall She
was horribly caustlc and Indifferent.
Margaret thought she would never
80 away.
When she did at last Margaret's in
dignation gave way to tears. 1t was
time to prepare dinner. The blue
rompers must remain unfinished and
her little drama of homecoming and
surprise was spoiled.
Il hate that woman !" she ex-
claimed. II hope she will never come
into my house again. Children and
dogs, indeed TO compare my darling
with that horrid pinch of fluff she
calls Mimi She ought to be
ashamed"
What's the troubleY' The back
door had opened so softly that Mar
garet had not heard anybody enter.
She brushed away the tears and faced
her other next-door neighbor, Mrs
Emmons. Mrs. Emmons was stout and
gray and jolly. She picked up Junior,
kissed him and cuddled him. Junior
loved Mrs. Emmons. Are these for
the young mann" Mrs. Emmons
reached into the workbasket after the
rompers. Aren't they cute? Going
to get them done so he can wear them
when his daddy comes homer
Nor Margaret burst out. II could
have finished them, but Mrs. Kendall
came in and" She bit her lips.
There! Pm sorry l said that" she
ended.
Never mind. Anything you tell me
is safe Mrs. Emmons said. II think
/ understand. Louise Kendall was In
bad mood and she made you uncom-
Portable. She did it on purpose too.
My dear, Louise has every possession
that is supposed to make woman
enviable-"
Il don't envy her, don't really"
Margaret said earnestly.
you don't need to. But she envies
you.'
"Envies h e! What for?"
Cant you gness? Do you suppose
If she had a child she would be car
rying round French poodle?"
but she never notices Junior"
"Of course not. Now 90 on with
your dinner and I'll sew bit on these
rompers. Junior must be wearing
them when daddy comes home"
Mrs. Emmons, you are great
dear. And Junior and both love
you" Margaret said softly.
ho txaf4 ~ T.,