Evening star., 1934-07-15

rryin' an now she can't go an they won't
ke me- The man says I'm too small. told
m I wuz wiry. but he said. no. he'd get in
pyble IL he took me- But you could go, and
u could pick by the quart-you make more
+ at way-and 20 halves. That'd be fair, see?
hcause it's mas place by rights We gotter
I've some money, Beth; honest we have
ETH was silent, holding the thin little girl
very close to her She knew 1t was no use
fering the Hardys money. Work, yes, some
mes food If she we're tactful; clothes to cut
wn, but not money. And she picked like
khtning and without firing. In few days
&eiSA half of what she could make would
Bhten Mrs Hardys burdens immeasurably. 1t
buld mean losing this day with Craig; losing
m, because she'd have to go on picking until
ere wasn't any more.
"I1l do 1t, Anna. of course" she said. MY
won't be ready till 10: they're doing some
nall repairs. so I'll catch the truck. 1t goes
IN 20 minutes. doesn't it? Here here's 81.
s all right to take it in advance I'm sure
make that much: and there's a steak coming
a few minutes. You'd better take that home.
o. It'll only spoil, and these cakes, see? And
quart OF milk you want it. We always have
b much"
She left note for Craig. She didn't want
see him; hadn't time anyway; and put on
faded calico dress. cotton stockings. old
leaks At 10 O'Clock she was in the berry
tches moving with rapidity which drew
rfh .appreciatiye comments from her fellow
brkers
1t was good to be working again, she thought.
grow really tired and aching and look for
bird to lunch and a rest in the shade of pine
ees and birches.
She listened TO the stories Of the people
ound her. 1t had been such hard year.
Fery one was dreading the Winter. She start
planning. Maybe she could fix it with Mr..
hrnesworth at the bank to establish a loan
nd; If she did the work. Maybe they could
e that loft of her fathers for kind of club
the kids: it would be warm and she could
hch them things cooking and sewing Any
ing, anything but another month of idleness
be couldn't stand anymore of that. She didn't
.ink Of Craig What was the use?
when the noon whistle blew she realized
e had forgotten to bring any lunch. 1t didn't
after; any one there would give her a sand
ch and cup of coffee or buttermilk. Under
e trees were the babies left to roll on old
ahilts or ragged blankets while their mothers
||prked. They were fusSy now, wanting their
inch. Beth picked one up: a stout and voci-
rous lad of months. She held him in the
eeze and he stopped crying and blew large
Xrprised bubble at her. Only a week ago Carol
hd been talking about children.
II like them in their place." she had said.
And that's the nursery There's nothing cutter
IAN clean, well-trained kid for about is
Xinutes."
And Beth had said:
Exactly how I fee"
UT she had been lying. She loved children
clean or dirty; any time or all the time.
ne liked this badly -cared-for fat infant she
IS holding She got water from the brook
hd under his mothers grateful eyes she
onged his hot body. He chuekled contentedly
I'D made comic, delighted faces
He was just the kind of strong big boy she
tght have had. And suddenly and unpardon-
lly her heart cried "Craig" and she buried
face in the baby's fat chest so that the
hrs wouldn't show. And Craigs voice said,
II brought your lunch. You forgot it,"
She looked up. Craig was standing there,
lndsomer than he had any right to be in
essy duck trousers and a cotton shirt He
h down beside her
Beth has come back. She has hasn't she ?"
begged. The little girl told me. But this
pit just kind gesture. 1t is you, isn't it?"
There wasn't much need to say anything.
|st broken sentences. I'm so sick of girls
all the same pattern I thought I'd
you You're what I want, always
Hnted You're a grand perSon!" But you
I'D 1 didn't fit in" "I should hope YOU
she was in his arms and the mother rescued
p baby just In time.
Copyright 1e341