Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1928-10-26
THEIR
MADE-OVER
MOTHER
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES


W. W ~ d WulSu.b
7 ESSi Balm clipped her eyeglasses
to her nose and read the letter
slowly, twice. Color rose to her
v full, fair cheeks and she caught
her breath sharply. Mrs. Darrln had
invited them all to spend the follow
ing day with her at the Rexmere,
where she was stopping for the sum
mer. She would send the car after
them at noon. That meant lunch, a
delightful afternoon, dinner, an even
Ing on the porch while the young
folks were dancing. The girls, Of
course, would be wild to go. As for
herself-but she must see what they
said.
They came in presently, tennis rack
cts in their hands, eighteen and sew
enteen, respectively, slim, French
bObbed, their charming faces touched
up bit with rouge, clad In delight
full sports toys. Jessy's two daughters
were attractive and popular. They
were also expensive. In order to feed,
clothe, educate them as they demand
ed Jessy found 1t necessary to econo-
mize strictly in other ways. The In
come which had seemed abundant
when the girls were small shrank now
with every succeeding year. Some
times Jessy wondered IL 1t would not
be better to sell her pretty home and
go to live in an apartment. With the
girls constantly at school or visiting
and likely to be married soon she
would not need so much room.
They read the letter, Peggy hang
ing upon Betty's shoulder.
"GreatW they both cried. THAT'S
fine in Mrs. Darrin. Must be she's
asked us on Halls account, huh, Bet?"
Peg asked
"That's 1t, Of course-but, mother
| see she's asked you, too"
~ have known Mrs Darrln for
long time, dears. When your father
and Mr. Darrln were both living they
used to be intimate friends" Jessy
said, with little culver of the lips.
WELL Shall we go, BettyT
"Surel 1 wouldn't miss 1t for any,
liiihBi IeluIucu Dclty. Null UP lnC
Rexmere at once, mother"
NO" Jessy said with unusual firm
ness for her. "As she has written
prefer TO reply In the same manner"
She went to her desk and sat down.
The girls left the room. She heard
the porch hammock squeak. They
were there-just outside the window.
To Jessy 1t promised more than
merely being treat to spend the day
with her old friend. What lot they
would have to talk overt The girls
would have a good time, too Per-
haps Hal Darrln might-She smiled
happily a. she dipped her pen. At
that instant Peggy's voice came to her
coldly, distinct
81 wish mother wouldn't CO. II
she wears that old made-over black
charmeuse I shall de-"
Betty answered: you'll have to
make the best Of It, Peg. You can't
tell her to stay at home when the
invitation is really hers. We're just
thrown In on Halls account. But that
old black charmeuse Is the limit. She's
getting so fat, too But we must be
careful not to hurt the ole dear's feel.
ings."
"Td rather stay hOme," grumbled
Peggy. "Can't. we back out at the last
minute2 Think now Isn't there some
way we won't have to appear at that
prlncely hotel chaperoned by that old
charmeuse" They began to whisper.
Jessy dropped her pale face in her
hands. She had received a shock.
For the first time she had heard her
daughters opinions OF her expressed
in words. She did not blame them.
She was herself at fault She had
brought them up to demand all, give
little. If they were selfish she had
made them so. If they were ashamed
Of her and her made-over clothes
she deserved 1t. Her sacrifice, her
Immolatlon Of self, had produced I'M
gratifying results, but She should
have seen that they would
Jessy, sitting there at her desk, had
very bad ten mlnutes-the worst
perhaps she had ever known-and she
had known many--slnce Tom died. At
the end OF that time she lifted her
head, took up her pen and wrote with
firm purpose, although with a slightly
unsteady hand, an acceptance for her
self and her daughters of Mrs. Oar
rims invitation.
At the breakfast table next morn
ing she said quietly that she was 60
Ing downtown. When the Darrn car
arrived the girls could direct the
chauffeur to find her at Madam
Louise's hat shop.
"Ohl You are going to get a new
hat" Peggy cried might come
with you, too, mOtheri I do so want
a new hat myself"
NO" Jessy replied with unwonted
frmness. "YOu can't have new
hat, Peggy. You have already had
three this season and so has Betty.
/ have not had new hat In two
years. She tried not to see the cloud
OF pout that descended on her daugh.
ter's face.
An hour later she stood at the bank
window drawing out money. 1t was
money she had saved, bit by bit,
against some unexpected need. Twice
before she had been tempted to use
It, once when the girls wanted to go
with the JensOns for an outing at the
seashore. once when she had been I'll
and the doctor had urged a short sea
trip ms cure Now actually she was
going to use the money. It seemed a
pity. Even when II was in her hands
her purpose nearly failed Then she
HoFnafnharod fhaN ,uao maoriuU