Evening star., 1933-06-18

be the boy from the Baby Shoppe
to take away the half dozen tiny
dresses she had just finished; it
might be the mailman leaving some
advertisements the only kind of mail Granny
received nowadays; or 1t might be-Pepper!
The thought that it might be Pepper nghteo
. spark of happiness in Grannys eyes as she
watched the bend in the path.
If it should be Pepper, Granny would take
precious care not to frighten her away again
It was nearly a week now since the girl mad
last come up the path.
And she was not coming now. 1t was only
the mailman Granny sighed as she went on
with her sewing. She had so hoped 1t would
be Pepper.
She was myste<y was Pepper She had
been dropping in for daily visit ever since
the morning way back in the early Summer,
when she stopped at the little mouse on the
edge of town to ask for drink. She was from
New York she worked at something or other
in the Winter, she had Travelled a good deal
and she was staying at rather cheap hotel
down by the lake. That much Granny knew,
but no more She didn't even know Peppers
last name.
"Just call me Pepper the girl had said "and
I'll come a-runn1n!"
And straight into Grannys heart she had
run slang rouge, hpstick and all. There was
something wistful and appealing under the pert
Seemed funny, though, that she should leave
the hotel, where there were other young folks
and come to see an old woman But it
wonderful for Granny.
Then in a moment of weakness, Granny had
spoiled everything She had given way to a
longing to talk about her troubles-the lone
Illness of age, with family and friends all gone;
her fear of the time when she could no longer
work; her horror of ending her days as
charge upon the community.
Pepper had listened intently, thoughtful
pucker on her brow. She had expressed her
sympathy in a style all her own, slangy but
sincere. Then she had uncoiled her silken legs
and whisked away; and she had not come back
mo way to treat sunshine" Granny told
herself wretchedly
GAIN the gate-latch clicked. Again
n Granny looked UP, hopefully eagerly. And
this time she gave glad cry. 1t was Pepper!
She waved her hand as she passed the window
and Granny got up so quickly that she upset
her basket Her heart was beating fast, her
hands were trembling as she hobbled to the
door. Pepper had come againi
The cutest girl, she was. Perched there in
her cid place ON the lumpy sofa, her red curls
gay against the faded cushions, her big eyes
shining a new spattering of golden freckles
across her saucy nose, she made such pretty
picture that Granny just sat and looked at her
and forgot to sew. And it wasn't because Of
Granny's tale of woe that she'd stayed away,
after all Shed been on long hike up in the
mountains and only just got back.
Granny's relief profound. She was a
silly old woman imagining all kinds of things
that weren't true. She smiled fondly at Pep
per. "The trips done you lots Of goed, child.
You've lost that sort O. peaked look you had
Pepper did not answer. She leaned closer,
her elfin face curiously excited. Listen,
Two oot sOrnetbjnp IN tell vouI"
Granny nodded happily. She always felt
grateful when Pepper called her by that dear
pane.
Remember what you was tellin' me the other
6ay?" the girl began About that nice home
fbr old ladies, up on the hill, where you'd go
H you only had the money; and If you just
had a room there, you'd be so happy, and not
have to worry any more about goin' to the
poorhouse?"
Granny flushed 1t sounded terrible, spoken
hight out in plain words like that. why
why of course" she stammered
Pepper caught Grannys hands work and all.
end shook them vigorously "Congrats, Mrs.
Bush!" she caroled You can take a walk up
TO that home and pick you out room, when
Dwer you're ready!'
Granny stared at the girl. Surely she
wouldn't joke about anything like that, but
What in the world
"You see, it was like ths!" Pepper was say
hg, the words fairly tumbling from her eager
tips IT was lyin' up on a cliff this morning,
sunnin' myself after my swim, and bunch of
koung felas came and parked right below me
cn the beach. They'd come out there to hold
IN important meeting, and I'll say they used
b lotta words But was half asleep and their
ahatter didn't register any until I heard 'em
talking about the prize, and then I sure
fhd tune in"
'-The-prize?" Granny queried
"You said it! Five hundred berries for the
tnost Pc girl in the town of Lorendol"
Cram. init puzzled brows. 'For-canning?"