The Coolidge examiner., 1933-08-11

price. Inc Hollow was 0eYelOplnS
as a summer place, and the old
houses were being remodeled and
modernized for summer homes. The
Howe house was one of the best.
There would be little difficulty about
selling it.
But Martha's heart was heavy.
Her ancestors-her husbands ances-
tors-seemed to be putting out re-
straining hands to hold her, to keep
her, where she belonged.
Anna Pratt arrived at the back
door of the Howe house while Mar
tha was getting breakfast the morn
ing after William and Felice reached
the Hollow Martha asked her in.
We'll, you seem to be killing the
fatted calf, all right" Anna said, GU
riously surveying the skillet of ba-
con waiting to be cooked, the hot,
steaming mullins under a cloth, the
pitcher Of thick cream, the big blue
bowl OF stewed rhubarb. and Mar
tha's grandmother's silver coffee
service waiting for the fragrant cOf-
fee bubbling over the fire. Il saw
her, last night, down in the village
buying some cold cream at the
store. Funny how these modern
girls paint their lips"
/ Martha saw, in her minds eye,
the pale thin face of Felce, with
its smooth childishly rounded
cheeks. untouched by rouge, and
its clearly outlined red lips.
I'VE used to wear crimpers, didn't
we?" Martha answered back in
spirit. Il do yet It's the only
way l can keep my hair decent. And
we ruined our ears having them
punctured. and laced our waists
"Wen, l didn't say anything
against her. only, you might as well
know what eyerybody's saying.
Everybcdy's saying William and she
will take you away from Howe Hol-
low. Back TO the city"
Martha turned quickly to the
stove. Coffee most boiled over" she
said. "And l hate to have It do
that. Seems 50 careless"
well" Anna Pratt walked TO
the dining room door. Il s'pose I'd
better run along. yiolets and ap-
pie blossoms | must say they
look pretty with your blue willow
ware" And she went her way.
There was a light sound behind
the half-cpen dining room door, and
Fellce came, with her slight limp,
into the kitchen. Fellce In a blue
| linen dresS-not, as Martha had ex-
pected her, in silk pajamas-her
lips as carefully red as they were
the night before, a light Of affection
and understanding In her bright
eyes.
She put a timid arm around Mar.
tha's shoulder. and nestled soft yel-
low hair against soft, gray hair.
Your hair looks lovely, Mother
Howe" she said. Then she laughed.
Il adore crimpers."
Martha blushed. We'll" she said.
"Anna Pratt is an old friend-I sup
pose you heard what she said. But
she never did have sense enough to
mind her own business. I'm sorry
you've been bothered by our small
gossip. Just you forget IL. And
I'll get your breakfast right on the
table"
Felice picked up the bowl of rhu-
barb. "Pll help" she said. NO
wait" She laid the bowl back on
the table. William was going to
tell you when he comes down. But
| can't wait. Mother Howe-I love
1t here. We've decided-if you want
us-we'll stay here. 1t will cost a
lot less. And William can do a
lot of painting. Apple trees in bloom
with an old stone wall behind
them"
'And you in a blue linen dress,
with violets in your hands" Mar
tha Howe put her arms about Fe-
lice.
"Yes-and William, here, where
he really belongs. Mother Howe,
may we stay? We thought we'd ask
you to go back to the city with us.
But when we got here-something
seemed TO hold u.s.
Yes" nodded Martha, "yes-you
may Stav"