The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1927-03-10
HER OWN
HAD COME
TO HER
BY JOHN ELKINS
Copyright by W. G. Chapman.)

perhaps l haven't had enough
faith. But I keep on trying" And
the calm, sweet face again bent over
the work with just the faintest shadow
across the patient lines.
II know mother, you are dear. 1
wish, too, 1 had more faith. But
some days 1 get just desperate. The
little, mean eighteen dollars a week I
earn at that typewriter only keeps us
alive. And this street is enough to
give one nervous prostration."
"My dear, l thought it was very
quiet and decent"
"Yes-but I'm ashamed to ask any
one here. If we could only move into
a better neighborhood."
But we couldn't afford it, dear"
81 know of some new flats in Ben
ton place for no more than we pay
here
How much roomw asked the
mother.
"Oh, two rooms, kitchennette and
bath"
But we couldn't do with that"
I'VE could manage. And it's just d
swell entrance
But here we have a little garden,
and"
"And chickens" finished Florence.
disgustedly. Chickens that are an
awful bother"
But they furnish US with nice fresh
eggs, and"
"And get into the yard next door.
there. But just wait till there's a ten
ant, and there1l be a row. Lady
Grey is determined to go over there
"Yes," sighed Mrs. Bennett, 81 don't
see what has got into that hem
II know, mother, you like the little
patch of ground and the chickens
but do want some of the good times
other girls have. l could go with
the people around here-but you know
/ don't care for them"
mo, dear, you wouldn't be your
fathers daughter if you did"
A fashionable neighborhood meant
more to the dwellers in this small city
than a cosmopolitan can well under
stand. 1t was the sized place where
one calls on the new neighbor when
she moves into the same block. Holly
street with the small, poor houses, in
which the Benefits lived was we'll
nigh a reproach to mention in the good
society of Brentford. Poor little
Florence Bennett, pretty, bright and
well educated felt the ostracism
caused by the neighborhood On her
fathers death, three years previously,
leaving them penniless, they had
moved to Brentford where an old
friend had given Florence employment
in his office. She was now twenty
years old, and saw little prospect be-
yond the stenographers small wages
in her future. Office work was not to
her taste.
Eyes, suppose" sighed the mother,
you might get to know some people
some Of our own kind-if we lived
in different street. But l always be-
lieve, dear, that what is ours will
come to US"
Yes, 1 know you love that old
poem"
"'For 10. my own shall come to
me! =" quoted the mother.
But not by way of Holly street."
"Yes, even Holly street Still if you
want to move into one of those
flats"
you wouldn't be happy there,
dear" Florence kissed the little wom-
an, chOked down the sob in her throat,
and went on getting the dinner.
The next morning she turned back
as she was starting out. Mother"
she called. "They are painting the
vacant house,"
"Why, so they are! 1 guess we're
going to have neighbors."
Workmen went in and out and a
man was preparing the ground for a
small garden.
"Ah, hal" cried Florence. "Now
Lady Grey will have to go into retire
ment, or lose her neck"
'I'll watch her." protested Mrs. Ben
nett.
"Well, I don't want your job"
laughed the girl as she swung off to
the Office.
That evening a tale of woe awaited
her.
"Oh, Florence! Such a dreadful
woman has moved in! Just a common
creature with a thick brogue!"
Il told you your own wouldn't come
to you by way Of Holly street,"
Her mother being in the joking
mood, went on: "She spoke 90 me-
well, it was insulting!
II foresee Lady Grey made the first
call"
YES, / thought I had stopped up
that hole in the runway, but she got
through, and the way that woman
went for me. l don't know what we're
going to do"
Two or three days after this, as
Florence was taking a survey of their
small grassy plot with its hardy an
nuals and shrubbery, a female voice
hailed her over the fence. She turned
and saw the owner gazing at her.
"Say, miss" she called, 90 loike
va m lnoE ofthCr that han ~ voure