Evening star., 1934-06-03


jeffrey Bertha Harris, waitress in the
local hotel, introduces her to Larry Nor
gan. local newspaper man. man. Wn9 Wn} secures
prietress of shoddy clothing store
across the tracks
STONISHING, how her life was
n fitting into place with the
II life Of CatherWood. AS though
going to work in Lottie
Welch's little store was the
keynote of a jigsaW puzzle, other
events fitted themselves neatly into
position without friction-almost, 1t
seemed. without planning.
Bertha Harris, approaching, tray in
hand, as Rose stood talking to Larry
Morgan. had offered immediate solu-
ton to one phase of the situation, en-
tering into conversation with the
cheerful democracy of a country town.
How about Kitten while you're
working daytimes Miz' Therrold? Tell
you what-you want I should speak
to my girl Ellie? She's got young
ster about Kittens age; she'd be glad
to look after her for you"
Which proved to be the truth, when
Rose agreed Ellie Cozzins was mar
ried to brakeman on the short line
which connected CatherWood with the
county seat. few miles farther on.
For a monthly sum so small it did not
tax even the small wages Lottie Welch
paid her, Rose had the satisfaction
of knowing that Kitten was being
washed. fed and put to sleep after
moons along with the small Gloria
Cozzins.
The Cozzins home, but a block from
WelchS store, was one of a row of
unpretentious cottages on Railroad
avenue. as much alike as though cut
out with a cookle-cutter; bay-win-
doWed front room, narrow porch,
where Brakeman CoZzins removed his
boots at night to stretch tired feet
to the dusk; lattice framed in
dusty hop-vines, and always the
trestle above-where long freight
trains ratified leisurely along or the
short local whistled Importantly on its
diurnal round trip.
A strange environment for Harvey
Therrold's child But the small front
room was immaculate. in spite of its
dreadful wallpaper and ugly tap
estry" velour Chesterfield set, and the
little picket etfenced back yard, where
the two children played, was neat and
safe. Ellie Cozzins, nee Harris. a
younger edition of her sensible moth
er, very obviously fancied the idea OF
having a Therrold child in her home
Even the child of Shanghai Rose.
Mrs. Cozzins' grammar. to be sure
was sometimes wild and wonderful
Kitten, the small parrot, Immediately
began to add a few American col
1OquialiSmS to the already amazing
store of pigeon-English she had picked
up in Shanghai. But this, Rose told
herself, could not be helped Ellie
CozzlnS was a Godsend. When Kit
ten went to school she would soon
forget . even as she, herself, had
The child, once the initial shyness
had worn off, was enchanted with the
idea OF a playmate-and still further
enchanted with the daily arrival of
her mother in the late afternoon to
bear her happily away through the vii
lage across the tracks, to the little
cottage by the river she was learning
TO call my house"
1t had taken Pauline Slade. switch
board operator at the National House,
but half an hour to spread the news
throughout CatherWood that the Slo-
cum cottage, on River street, had
been rented by Harvey Therrold S
widow. 1t had taken Rose Therrold
but half day to move out of the
National House and into the tiny new
abode.
Untenanted since the death of its
owner the year previous. the three
rooms had proved a veritable refuge.
The porch roof, it was true, sagged
drunkenly under its load of un-
trimmed honeysuckle vine, and the
cumbersome oil lamp suspended by
tarnlshed chains from the center of
the living room ceiling cast somewhat
eerie and ghostly shadows. But the
small bed room, overlooking the
tangled garden at the rear, was a
haven of quiet, and the kitchen
proved to be surprisingly equipped
with quite adequate stove, an icebox
and an odd assortment of thick and
homely brown-and- white pottery and
clumsy plated silverware.
"Aint a mite of reason why you
can't use some of the truck I got
stored down cellar in the hotel
here" Bertha had offered practically.
Things are like folks, I always say
1hey got to be used or they get
rusty"
Roses eyes had filled with quick,
unaccuStomed tears II seem to be
using you good deal, Bertha" she
said tremulously. You and Mr.. Nor
gan How I'm ever going to
repay either of you-"
Larry Morgan, from his perch on
stepladder, grinned down at her COM
panionably.
The hlppopotamus, he announced
In the Slng-song tones of a lecturer
can empty his ears within one second
after lifting his head from the water
by twirling a special set of muscIesI
Will somebody please hand me a tack
hammer
The frlendliness and unmistakahIe
admiration of this tall young man had
proven strangely stimulating. He had
made himself useful during the NOV
ing. And he was having a very good
time.
Already the muSty, unlived-in at
moSphere of the little house had dis
appeared. From Berthas storeroom
they had chosen such bits of furniture
as were needed to supplement Roses
own scanty belongings. A chair or
two that could be mended A chest
of drawers. A low trundle bed which
had held generations of HAIRLESS An
ancient hassock with worn. tasseled
fringe-and an old cot, on which
Rose, herself, would sleep Homely,
useful bits of fotsam. which had at
some time made a home for some