Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1929-10-25
BEST
PLACE FOR A
HOPE CHEST

10 by d. J. walsh,l

y UZANNE FAY, sitting on the
floor before the quantity banded
~ cedar chest, one slender hand
dipping into its depths and the
other caresslng the sheaf of en-
broidered towels In her lap, looked up
at her friend with grimace.
81 can't possibly get another thing
into my hope chest" she remarked.
"It's full to the brim. And every.
thing of the best A half dozen of
everything, even dish cloths" She
laughed. "I've even worked my ini-
tlals on those. and f is such a clumsy
letter to do. wonder which ini-
tial l shall change that 81 into"
&C perhaps" suggested Helen
chair near Suzanne who had been
showing her the contents of the chest.
They smiled into each others eyes.
Helen bravely, Suzanne trlumphantly.
II think you're the queerest girl not
to have hope chest yourself" Su-
zanne said.
Helen drew a long breath.
swell, I've no skill with the en-
broldery needle. and then-and then
II takes every cent to keep up the
days expenses. Mother, you know.
is so poorly and we have four board
ers now. | really am quite busy. To
tell the truth, there isn't lot of
idle time to be had between six in
the morning and ten at night When
I do get a minute I read"
Novels are so stimulating" re-
marked Suzanne, casually gazing into
the hope chest with fond eyes.
81 don't read novels. I read things
that will stay by me. Just now ]
am deep In the Outline of History"
\ "That?" Suzanne interrupted. "Why,
II is dull as ditch water. hate
history. Why delve into the past?
The present runs away fast enough.
It's all can do to keep up with
the new steps and stitches. Going,
HelenT
~ must" Helen had arisen. at
is past four, and I have to make bis
cults for dinner. I've had pleasant
hour. Suzanne Thanks for letting me
see your hope chest. And I hope
that--that 'C may be your future
initial" Suzanne laughed gayly.
"Fm sure 1t will be. He wouldn't
be such fool as not to take me,
would he?"
Helen looked gravely at the bril-
liant, blonde little figure and shook
her head. Then she ran away from
the pretty gray house to the large
dull old rookery on the corner where
she and her mother were making
a passionate struggle for existence.
She found her mother lying down.
I'm afraid I'm little late" Helen
painted "But Suzanne showed me
her hope chest--and-it's wonderful.
mother"
Poor chlldw Mrs. Gardner sighed
as she looked tenderly upon her dark,
grave rOung daughter. 81 wish you
had one. dear."
Helen shrugged.
"But should not need It. You
see, mother, ] am going to be a nice
comfy old maid and stay home with
you"
81 don't believe It. Kendric Curtis
thinks too much OF you"
Helen had turned her back upon
her mothers questioning eyes.
ale thinks a lot more of Suzanne.
She t. lry"ly. And sn | think 'C will
be the initial she will have to have
engraved upon her silver"
"Well--" Mrs. Gardner could say no
more.
Helen, entering the kitchen, quickly
tied On her apron and got out her
rolline-pjD and biscuit board. But
she paHsed 10 stare unseelngly for
lone ElDment from the window over
the sink II Kendric Curtis married
Suzarne life wasn't going to mean
LOT TO her, TINT was ALL But no one
must ever know, not even her moth
err. unless she guessed SO II was
perhaps just as well that she shouldn't
have the hope chest. II would be a
dreadful thing years and years from
and think
SHE began to sifi flour rapidly. No
matter how ones heart ached one
must have dinner ready on time, for
Mr.. Griffin and Miss Gould and Mr.
and Mrs Ferris were always hungry.
She had knelf TO pop the biscuits
into the oven when she heard a
sound outside the screen door and
looking over her shoulder saw Ken
drIc Curtis laughing In nj her.
Caught you al ~" he said. Il
hope I'm going to get n chance AT
those extremely good looking biscuits,
Helen. You see. mother Is away and
I'm wandering about like hungry
bear. VIII you take me In and feed
me out of pity. for n few daysT
Helen had sense enough to close
the oven do" before she arose 10 her
feet.
"I'II ask mother, kendrIc. But I'm
afrnld all our rooms ARE full" she
said in her clear practical way.
"Oh, don't want u rOOm-just
meals" Kendrl' said earnestly II can
sleep al homo It's the victuals.
Helen. You see, mother has spoiled
me with hei Incompatible cooking
When the roast II UNDERGONE AT the
Elm Tree restaurant and the pie soggy
NJ Centrnl house nnd the coffee fiat
~ the lrnwn Swan Inn | simply fade
away from those spnls forever And
though may pass ns n lawyer.
wei Ileltn m,Itaied ITS going
10 bn frirasser chicken tonight with
ie,r nrlIr pie y she ! could man.