Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1929-08-09
in THE
GRAND
STAND
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
(0 by ID. ]. Walsh.l

NINA WILCOX had paid her
X quarter and climbed into the
IL grand stand because she was
too tired to stand up another
minute. She had come to the fair
solely for the sake of bringing the
children, not because she had any
longing for II herself. Fairs, like many
other things, had lost their pleasur.
able Significance when her husband
died, leaving her with four boisterOus
boys and girls to bring up alone. The
last time she had been here Jake had
brought her, and she thought of that
happy day now MS she sat on the hard
seat gazing down upon the crowd be-
low and trying to follow the doings Of
the twins and Merle and Arthur.
Emma was a small woman with
patiently smiling expression, lovely
fair hair which was always little I'M
tidy and blue eyes that seemed exact
ly to match the faded Bingham Of her
homemade frock. In her lap were
her purse, half bag Of popcorn and
squawker which the twins had COM
manded her to keep for them until
wanted
A flash as of mirror turning In
the sun caught her eye and she
glanced toward the entrance to the
grounds where through the gates down
the little hill came great gllttering
car. Honking for room It moved down
the track to the parking space which
was at one side Of the grandstand.
"The Lull's new carp Emma
thought. And Lucia is In II driving
II all alonew
The sight Of the large, superb figure
on the uncut mohair cushions had
given her fresh sense Of the Unequal
fly of life. For she and Lucia Ldll
had started even twelve years back.
Indeed, II might be said that the pros
poets were slightly in Emma's favor,
for Mt that time Jake Wilcox had
seemed II young man Of mightler
promise than George Lull. But some
how the fortunes of the Lulls had
risen while those of the WilcOxes had
declined. George Lull had invested in
something that had made him rich
overnight. while Jake Wilcox died,
leaving his family with about half ms
much ms was needed to support them
As consequence Lucia Lull drove
$l,O00 car with the ineXpert grace of
lmid woman. while Emma Wilcox
walked In shabby shoes which she had
to earn for herself. and in the hard
est way, too, for with four children
to do for, taking boarders was no joke.
Lucia. doubtless, had driven over to
the fair grounds because she had
nothing else to do. but Emma was
there because her children found in
the fair n great playground, and she
was determined to deny them no
pleasure that was innocent and rea
s0nable.
When Emma, after glance at Lucia
Lull's car. looked back to the place
where her children had been she found
the twins missing from the little fa.
mlllar group Of four. Anxlously her
gaze scanned the scene before her In
every direction, then with intense re-
lief she saw them approaching the
grand stand, trotting along, cIinging
hand to hand In spite of their eight
years. Bob and Babl Dressed rs near
alike rs hoy and girl may be. She
smiled nj the dear, quaint, little fig
ures. They were coming to the grand
stand to find her wanting another
nickel apiece. may be. She began to
tumble In her purse and had succeed
ed in locating the coins by the time
they Joined her.
"Well?' she said, Strengthening
Bob's hat and Bab's hair ribbon.
ITS going to rain" Bob said.
"It's going to rain hardw Bah
strengthened her brothers assertion.
Emma. assured by the blue sky be
fore her, merely said:
"rhen you better stay here with me,
dears. Are Merle and Arthur coming.
tOo?"
They're watching the man with the
Beach Fllrts. You pay a nickel and
throw n ball"
A low rumble of thunder interrupt.
ed the child.
Dear me !" Emma said. "That does
sound naughty, doesn't It? But the
sky is NIL blue"
you can't see II here" Bob saId
He had taken his station one side of
her while Bah did the same on the
other side.
"No. It's all behind the grand stand,
coming down Third Brook" Bah
amended.
"WcIl we shall be all right here. II
may pass away, and n II does come
II won't fast long" Emma said com.
fOrtably.
The instant darkening OF the air,
another crash and snap of lightning
that III downward rush Of ralndrops
had sent people flying to shelter En-
ma saw Arthur and Merle fly toward
the long building where the poultry
was housed They would be safe and
dry there. A procession Of people we're
entering the grand stand, whipped into
agility by the brenthless downpour
Emma heard voice:
"Let me In here, please?"
She looked up into Lucia Luis face
"How pale she isl" Emma thought
and then remembered that when they |
had been girls In the same set Lucia's |
fear of thunderstorms had marked her
for many a good laugh. why hadn't |
Lucia stayed in her carr But Of course
II was like her TO leave II and run |
a. the grand stand for shelter
"Cnme SIT on mamma's lap and |
make room for the lady" Emma said |
and took Bah upon her lap. while In
the press and confusion Lucia dropped |
into Rnb's plnce She was thinking: |