The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1933-08-11

money. And or courSe-Sne would
give In. II was only right that William
should have a chance for his own life.
And If IL cost too much TO keep the
old place in the Hollow for her. the
old place would have TO go. Ii could
be sold for a small price. The Hollow
was developing as 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 ancestors
seemed to be putting out restraining
hands to hold her, to keep her. where
she belonged.
Anna Pratt arrived at the back door
of the Howe house while Martha was
getting breakfast the morning after
William and Felice reached the Hol-
low. Martha asked her in.
swell, you seem to be killing the
fatted calf, all right" Anna said, curl
ously surveying the skillet OF bacon
waiting to be cooked, the hot, steam
ing mullins under a cloth, the pitcher
of thick cream, the big blue bowl of
stewed rhubarb, and Martha's grand
mothers silver coffee service waiting
for the fragrant coffee bubbling over
the fire. ~ 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 Felice, with its
smooth childishly rounded cheeks, un-
touched by rouge, and it's clearly out
lined red lips.
"We used to wear crimpers, didn't
WEI" Martha answered back in spirit.
Il do, yet. It's the only way | can
keep my hair decent. And we ruined
our ears having them punctured, and
laced our waists"
swell didn't say anything against
her. Only, you might as well know
what everybody's saying. Everybody's
saying William and she will take you
away from Howe Hollow. Back to the
city"
Martha turned quickly to the stove.
Coffee most boiled over" she said.
"And l hate to have 1t do that. Seems
so careless"
well" Anna Pratt walked to the
dining room door. Il s'pose I'd bet
ter run along. Violets and ,pple
blossoms must say they look
pretty with your blue willowware."
And she went her way.
There was light sound behind
the half-open dining room door, and
Felice came, with her slight limp. into
dress-not, as Martha had expected
her. in silk pajamas-her lips as
carefully red as they were the night
before, light of affection and un.
derstanding in her bright eyes.
She put a timid arm around Mar
tha's shoulder, and nestled soft yellow
hair against soft, gray hair. "Your
hair looks lovely, Mother Howe" she
said. Then she laughed. 81 adore
crimpers."
Martha blushed WELL" she said.
"Anna Pratt is an old friend-l 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 it. And I'll
get your breakfast right on the table,"
Felice picked up the bowl of rhu-
barb. "rl 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 It here.
We've decided-if you want us-we'll
stay here. 1t will cost a lot less. And
William can do 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" Martha
Howe put her arms about FeIice.
"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 stay"