Evening star., 1927-12-10


who lived next door to Mrs.
l. Shaw and opposite to Mrs. Dill
worth. Mrs. Shaw and Mrs.
Dilworth had been brought to speak
about it that afternoon as they sat
together. They were fast friends, and
they had been telling each other a
great many private things for years.
1t was inevitable that the matter of
Edith Penn should come up between
them some time, although they were
loyal to her as a neighbor and char
liable to her as an acquaintance and
a woman.
"She doesn't ring true" Mary Shaw
said
I've often thought that" Mrs. Dill
worth sighed. There's something
about her don't understand, although
have tried to-something that repels
me. I've never mentioned it before
because I supposed that / was the
only person in the neighborhood who
felt that way about her."
"You aren't" Mary Shaw said. II
feel the same way myself. She's a
good neighbor; 1 couldn't wish for a
better She's always agreeable and
pleasant - too pleasant. Apparently
she never has any reason to be other
wise. / guess that's why" She
paused. 'It doesn't seem natural, -
she went on thoughtfully, "for per-
son never to have annoyance or trou-
BILE of any kind. The rest of us who
have had our deep valleys-well, 1
suppose we can't understand person
who seems to live constantly on the
sunny hills of existence. And Mrs.
Penn certainly appears always to be
on the tip-top of the very sunniest
hill. Perhaps that's why we don't
understand her. It's a good ways up
there from one of our deep valleys"
Mrs. Shaw gulped little and wiped
away tear. Her deep valley was the
loss of her husband, who had been her
true companion for more than thirty
years. Mrs. Dilworth said nothing,
only rocked a little faster. Fifteen
years before she had lost her only
child. a little son, and the pain OF
bereavement was still very acute at
times.
There was a tap at the door, brisk
MAY l come in?" and Edith Penn en-
tered with a small dish in her hand.
She was a woman as old as either of
the two who started at her appear
ance, but she had youthful air, for
her gown was gayly blue and her face
danced with smiles.
i We DEOUSUI SOu ONtl u CiL Cl VI
vinity fudge" she said to Mrs. Shaw.
I'm so glad Mrs. Dilworth is here.
She can enjoy it, too"
Mrs. Shaw accepted the candy with
lust shade of embarrassment. She
felt a sense of guilt in that she had
talked about her neighbor and was
now accepting a gift from her.
1.-The candy is lovely" she said
do sit down"
Mrs. Penn shook her head, still
smiling. 1t came to Mary Shaw that
she had smiled so much that her face
lad taken on a rather set look. a
strained look, one might say.
mo. l must hurry back. I've
thousand things to- see to-" she re
tur ned gayly.
you are always so rushed" Mrs
Dilwt nth offered. "And only just you
and NJ. Penn and the little boy to dc
for" The little boy was Mrs. Penn's
grandson, who had come to her Whef
his young mother died.
Il see you have been to visit your
sister," Mary Shaw said.
Yes. | stayed only one night
That was all Mr.. Penn could spare
me. You should have seen the house
he and Frank kept! l had a stacl
of dishes that high to wash" She
! laughed and vanished
The two women looked at eacf
| other gravely. But they said not
word more. Thoughtfully they tasted
the candy. 1t was delicious.
''It ought to sour in our mouth:
| after the way we've talked about her.
! Mary regretted
Il was just going to say that" Mrs
| DilwOrth agreed.
| After Mrs. Dilworth went homt
Mary Shaw washed the empty bonbol
| dish from which she had cmptied th'
candy, for in their conscience -smitten
ness they had not been able to eat 1t
and, throwing a shawl over her head
went to return the dish to Mrs. Penn
She found frankie making a snoV
man in the front yard.
Go right in. Mis- Shaw" he lisped
Grams making me a pair of pants.
Mrs. Shaw tapped lightly, as a warn
ing, and entered. She heard SCUM
of sobbing and stopped, motionles
with amazement Sobs. They cam
from the sitting room. There wa
something else. too-Mrs. Penn wa
saying "Oh, dear" over and owe
| again.
She's sick-in pain" Mary ShaV
thought, and hurried forward.
Mrs. Penn lay on the couch witt