Evening star., 1928-05-02
THE EVENING STORY

Tears came into Alicia's eyes. She
had borne just about all she could
for one day. She ran up to her room
and, fiinging herself down on the bed,
cried in little-girly, broken-hearted
way.
II mustn't behave so to mother" /"
she thought at last. Perhaps she Is
seriously Ill and trying to conceal It,
/ must see that she takes her medi-
cine regularly. haven't paid much at
tention to it, but from this time will"
She went softly downstairs, con-
triton in her heart AS she pushed
aside the curtain from the living room
door she saw her mother standing by
the table contemplating the medicine
which the doctor had Just left. Sud-
denly Mrs. Prindle gathered the tablets
up in her hand and tossed them into
the fireplace. where a small fire was
burning. Alicia gasped. 1t came TO
her that this was not the first time her
mother had destroyed the medicine she
had just paid for What did 1t mean?
Alicia stole away from the door. She
went out of the house by the back
way and began to work In her tiny
flower garden, seeking In action to calm
her troubled mind AS she worked
their next-door neighbor, Mrs. Horton,
looked over the fence.
"How's your mother, Alicia?" Mrs
Horton asked. Il see the doctor has
been there again today"
| Mother seems about the same"
Are you going visiting anywhere
| this Summer? You ought TO have a
| change before you start in another
years work, Alicia. You are looking
tired" Mrs. Horton said, eyeing Alicia S
gentle face
I've been invited to Lake Clean, -
Alicia replied. Helen Cass wants me
to come-Helen Marsh she was before
she was married Perhaps you remem-
Der her. They have Summer cottage
Her brother Is with her"
why In the world don't you go?"
demanded Mrs. Horton.
| Alicia sighed Mother thinks ]
mustn't leave her. 1t would only be
for month and Aunt Emma would
come right here and stay with her.
| Your mother has got notion" Mrs
Horton interrupted.
"A-motion?" faltered Alicia.
| "a notion in her head. That's what
ails her, I'm certain.
II don't know what you mean, y
Alicia wondered.
| Guess I'll go in and see your moth
err" Mrs. Horton said. Better come
| too, Alicia, I've got a bit of news for
| her that may surprise you both"
| Alicia accompanied Mrs. Horton into
1.-THE house. They found Mrs. Prindle
at her desk looking over some ac-
| counts.
Feeling better. eh?" began Mrs. Hor-
| ton. That's good. You look as well
as you ever did. Eliza"
You can't tell anything by my
looks" returned Mrs. Prindle
| rs that so? Well, what was going
to say was that I'm glad you're doing
so nicely. You'll be able to get along
fine while DR.. Warren is away"
away" exclaimed Mrs. Prindle
Where is he going?"
why. haven't you heard? He Is
going to the Northwestern an ex-
| tended trip Going to be away threc
during the time"
What is he going for2"
Mrs. Horton was enjoying herself i'm
mensely.
| why, he's going on his wedding trip
my dear woman. He's going TO marry
my niece. Jennie Merwin, the 20th OF
| this month"
[ Mrs. Prindle caught her breath and
! turned white as ashes.
1t isn't truel" she burst out 81
/ won't believe It.
Call him up on the phone" SAID
| Mrs Horton. leaving the room.
| Mrs Prindle made motion as II Il
| do so. but Alicia held her back.
Mother, pleasei OF course, Mrs
Horton is right" Alicia followed the
| neighbor in real distress.
When she came back she found her
mother unconvinced but grim.
| Its true" Mrs. Prindle said. After
| all I've done to make him take an
| interest IN yolI-sS45aR1R
In me, motiler?. Alicia said in sur
prise. She understood ct last.
Mrs. Prindle glared at her.
She never had Dr. Warren again.
| Neither did she have DR.. Waite. She
| had recovered suddenly and completely
Alicia went to Lake Clean to visit
Helen. When she came back radiant
| happy and engaged her mother re-
| ceived the news coidlY.
Maybe you're satisfied, but I am
not she said
| THE END.
| w lTnuvrtwhl TOtS