Evening star., 1939-05-14

en- important to the great, rushing world in
eyhich they lived. For that reason she had
ngiven up expecting them to come home. If
ahey did come home she would have nothing
give them. When she had struggled to send
y hem, one after the other, through college, she
;, q ad given them her last and most costly gift
a he had been in her late thrties when the
rst one was born; consequently, while they
n we're young she was stupid old woman, living
eluietly in a stupid little town. She did not
d lame them for finding no time to come there.
: lr the town offer them?
But the neighbors had other ideas - par
= fcularly Mrs. Pettigrew. I'll tell you one
hing, Mary Jane Briggs" Mrs. Pettigrew
, lad once said They'd come home if they
kere mine. Good and quick they'd come
Iome, whenever felt like having 'em. When
}ohn skips couple of holidays, write him
bout how my hearts been acting up and let
linn read between the lines anything he
: iSleases. And I'm telling you. he comes!
, She didn't tell Mrs. Pettigrew what she
hought about that Mrs. Pettigrew wouldn't
l Understand in million years how much you
: build want not to stand in your children's
.. kay, not to make claims upon them, not to
= lold them bound to their own detriment. by
he tough fbers of your love for them
ol But Mrs Pettigrew was masterful woman
nd, in her way, kind woman. And when for
vo years not one of the three young Briggses
2 ad crossed the threshold of the big old house,
/, 1rs. Pettigrew drew her own conclusions, and
|cted accordingly.
5 So it happened that one pleasant autumn
horning, Sally Briggs was called from her
classroom to the telephone, to be greeted by
he voice of her twin brother. Sidney.
Il don't want to scare you, Sis,' Sidney
bid her, but I've just had letter from
|ome, and - well. don't like the sound of
/. think may run out there for day this
eek end. wondered if you'd like to come
long"
"Mother isn't sick, is she?" Sally cried.
Sidney hesitated That just what don't
know. 1t was Old Lady Pettigrew who wrote.
khe said she got my address from young
Patterson at the postoffice and asked me to
bass on the news to you and Britt.
But what news"
That's what bothers me most. She didn't
Law Mother was sick But she didn't say she
Wasn't. All she said was if she were in our
places she'd come home as soon as possible -
md not to tell Mother she'd told us"
oh" Sally said OH Through her head
rushed all the plans she had made for the
week end but terror clutched at her heart.
f'iu come" she promised. IN meet you at
the seven clock train tomorrow night"
Right" Sidney said. IF - anything
should happen, and we weren't there. we'd
never forgive ourselves. wish now hadn't
got tied up with that stock company when
| was ready to go last June! I'm going to
telegraph Britt He'll probably drive down.
It's Just nice mornings trip for him. He
ought to run back and forth often, but since
he's become the Big Business Executive, he
hasn't much time for any of US. Ill put it
good and strong in the telegram
Dol" Sally urged. Il wish now hadn't
gone in for graduate work the last two sum-
mers :. . Oh, Sid. do you suppose we ought to
go now"
81 can't before seven tomorrow, and only
then by the grace of the Lord and good
understudy See you at the train, then 80.
| Sally went back to the classroom and con-
kinued giving lesson in English 3. She felt
completely upset also rather furious. Not at
her mother, of course: but at Fate, which had
L t.-L+ hot Lott ov ;,,st uyhen she had MANNED