The Washington times., 1930-08-09

cloves, and bread and butter
sandwiches cut thin, Nal" Jean
4 said. She had been read ding
about fashionable teas in q
book, but Mary Paige knew that
Emma Woburn had creamed
crab and hot biscuits and a
mousse at her birthday party.
So she toiled down to the
market and bought hen which
she cut up for creamed chicken.
Then she made biscuits and
fixed the top with orange sugar
Emma burn didn't have
THATD and the dessert was
going to be home-preserved
peaches with whipped cream
and chopped nuts.
"Siege In Hospital"
And when everything was
going fine and you could hear
them all enjoying themselves
in the parior, and nobody motto
ing the hole IN the seat OF
the rocker, and only the bis
cults to pop into the oven,
Mary Paige sat down. She
sat in the old brown chair by
the stove, and held her side
with her hands. In her sweet,
clear voice she sAid, "Cathie,
watch the biscuits . I'm a
bit faint, with the heat OF the
stove and ALL"
When DR.. Doolin came she In
sisted that they bring him
around the back way, so as
not to spoil the party, and
Cathie served the refreshments
Just as if nothing had hap
pened.
s'It's the hospital for her. ana
a long SIEGE" DR.. Dooiln ad-
mitted, after they had got her
to bed. He spoke gruffly, as
he always did when ne was
moved.
"And is there is there
any hope?" Cathie qaaV'
cred.
But he wouldn't say.
Ruth put her head down on
the kitchen table. Il can't
bear it," she moaned. Il can't.
I've been through too much.
And now this. With Eddie IN
South America, and Jean hav-
ing a party ooh, l don't
know how I'll raise the money,
I don't, I don't!"
Cathie listened. Listened to
the sound of Ruth crying help
lessly. to the sound OF the
bridge party in the front room,
to the sick woman's labored
breathing. 1t was a nightmare.
Shed wake up pretty soon.
Jean came into the kitchen,
starry-eyed. "Cathie, dear, is
there any more hot chocolate.
and whip cream for the choc'-
late. The girls just loved the
chicken. Oh. what's the mat
ter with Ruth?"
Headache" Ruth said from
between dry lips.
where's map"
I'm her room, resting,
Surely Jean would hear the
breathing funny how
sleeping drafts made people
breathe -. But no, Jean
didn't hear anything. She
took her tray of refilled cups
and hurried back to her
guests.
IT won't have ma go to the
county hospital, not if have
to beg on the streets" Ruth
lifted her head to whisper.
"Sh-h-the children will hear!"
But we've got to plan. I
want ma taken care of right.
suppose you could borrow
month or so ahead on your
salary? I won't be able to, on
account of it being city money"
Cathie nodded. She sup
posed So. .~
II hate to ask you," Ruth
said.
Well, we've got to get the
money somewhere. Besides, Mr..
Farnsworth is awfully nice"
Financial Problem
"Nicew Ruth sat up sharply,
her hair all awry. Nice!
That's whytI hate to have you
do it. That's why you have to
be careful! Oh, Cathie, you're
such a baby. Mind how you go
about asking him. Don't you
do anything you shouldn't to-
to get the money. 7 won't have
it, not even for ma not If I
have to beg on the streets
first"
Cathie turned scarlet. Don't
be silly" she said awkwardly.
I'm not silly. I'd rather go
to Mr.. Browning and ask him
the name of loan broker,
than have you
"Sh-h-don't talk so loud,
Ruth"
The little girls were saying
good-by. You could hear their
laughter, their happy fareWells.
Cathie suddenly felt very old.
Older than her mother, sleep
ing trustfully on her bed. older
than Ruth, wit her funny
ideas about bosses wanting 20
take advantage of young girls.
"Oh. stop crying, RUTH she
cried almost sharply. "I'll ask
Mr.. Farnsworth all right. I'll
ask him tomorrow. I'll have
the money, don't worry, I'll get
it. Mall be all right"
And then, without any warn
ing she put her head on the
other side Of the table and