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About East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 10, 1920)
PACir. F'OITR TF.V.N WiaggfLOVE TALES TERSELY TOLD! ' . i ' ' ' v , " ' " . 1 " Two Sisters and Pauline By AbncE Anthony MR. BRAD1SII waa ipcndlng lh evening with the MUtt Watson, and tney bad wkfl in little l'auline Porter 10 take th. rourth band at pedno. Tbey cat about the tr. 11 feli-rovrred card table with three electric light bulb shining down uton them with full force. The Mis Watson's eye, even though assisted hy glasses ed plenty of light. nna van h. elder Miss Watson, alibougb there was tie difference ID tbelr ages She vac rather gray anil sallow, hut aba bad vtvac'tt and wit. and bar farm as a cook til noised abroad la the land Mia Anna bad bad her chat). . to v ed but being par ticular be bad watted too long. It was a east of the man who went to the, foreat to cut a cane, be waa Dot Mill ault-d. and the first thing he knew be bad patted clear through the wood to the other aide, so It Waa then necessary to take the laat dick, which waa a crooked one. or none at all Mr. Rrsdish was in no war a "crooked tick." but It Ii true that twenty rfara fOHN MARSHALL MeKENZlE I took the three front door steps Ft to bis boarding house with one bound But when be entered the dingy little ball where commingled odors of cabbage and soup greeted his no trlls, Mb foot teps became languid and he mounted to his hall bedroom on the third floor under an unusually heavy depression It waa the third time this week be bad entered with the same feeling. It was discouraging, to say the least, but more so because he reckoned it was no fault of his own; yea. he found him self suddenly thrown out of employ ment, a week behind in his room rent -and no prospe-ts of a Job In fig' I One of the principles of business bis successful father before htm bad al ways impressed on his mind came to htm now with mocking force. Never allow the next fellow to know you're down and out. To him who hath shall be green." he would say nodding his wie old head ALTHOUGH bar heart waa very sad. tbe Widow Merrill that corning dressed herself In ber shabby beat and went from house to house among ber neighbors, inform ing them of the auction Of her effects tbat day ad of her own Impending departure the next. "It's air ost like asking them for charity," -ha mourned la her sensi tive heart . "letting them know I'm selling my thing tbi way, so's they'll all be there. Stilt ererrtblRfll go cheap and they'll be saving on what ever tbey buy," she added, conscien tiously, "and of course nobody haa to buy that don't want to." .'vertheieas, it waa hard; and hard er still to answer her neighbors' curi ous questions for lying waa not easy for the honest little soul, and for once she felt tbat she could not tell the truth. "IVell. well' 80 you're a-ieavin' us. And where may you b- goin ?" asked Tit news flashed around the crowded ballroom at the alarming rate ot speed with which sensational gossip usually W U. Tom Hsldon. the mucb courted. Mailed bachelor of tbe town, was en gaged to Mary MeMauuers Everybody 'bought tbat Mar: would marry Dick Tyler, wbe presented the extraordi nary spectacle of a rich man's son working a hard as If he did not ex ited to Inherit s dollar To sac him. rad tn rough clothes, rushing here and there In bis father s big munition factory, one would never dream that he waa sole heir to seversl million Mary JfcMauners war tb only girl be bad ever noticed, and ft wss s fore gone couciumou In the" llttl town thai saa waa far toe clever a girl to allow before Anna Wataon would not bar looked at him Her rival We bar airier. Angelina. Angelica u dark, slim faded, and prided hen-elf on being of the llterati. She wrote pretty verses that were sometimes printed and she played tbe piano charmingly. Angelica had had two or thiee romances, which bad gaajgba to naught, but she waa not so sentimental si oue might suppose. She had. bosfirr. made up bar mind to marry Mi Hrr.dish If he aaked her. She talked it over very calmly with Anna It was a question which uf them would w In. So far Mr. Bradleb bad been very Im part Is I, It was evident that he liked both sisters. It was clearly a case of "bow happy I could be with either were tother dear charmer away. ' But " tother dear cbarnrer" was never away. Tbe sisters were Inseparable. Mr. Bradlsb could never aee on- with out also (Ming the other. Mr. Bradlsb was large, bald. rosy, and good-bumortxf Me waa & H idose Making Good His Bluff Up to this fail John had thought he was a pretty wise old Dad. Even though he bad left all Iris monvy 10 an untutored-of-tbe - way s - of - business widow. But now misgivings were be ginning to pour In upon bin,. He bad visited tbe offices 01 bis many busi ness acquaintances win had still keo! going regardless of the war. und fit answer to bis applications for a place seemed to be unanimous. "Not last now, old man," they told him. "but drop around in a monib or so ane perhape we can use yon." "By Jove,' he exclaimed as his face lighted up," an invitation to Manon Colllna' coming-out party." But his 'athusiasm waned almost immediate ly and he sat dow n on tbe side of his bed with a dejected thud. He read aloud the engraved Invitation forward ed here from his recent and more prosperous looking address again and igaln in a drab, monotonous voice. Hie mind traveled quickly over his wardrobe. No evening clothes. He The Man Old Grandma Beagle, who lived down by the river road and whese son own ed Mayburt's laundry and was well to do. Grandma Beagle'2 eyes Wore sharp and black and when she asked a question tbey fixed themselves upon you in a way that dared you to tell ber an untruth "I I'm going to my brother in the West," answered the Widow Merrill, and her voice faltered as she told the pitiful little He. "My brother ia is rich." she continued, "and last week I got a letter from him saying he wants to give me a home and stake me happy the rest of nay life. My brother always thought a. .heap o' me," the Widow Merrill ended lamely. "Humph! He's taken bis time about Bbowin' it," remarked. Grandma Bea gle. "Well, better late than never, I s'poee But it seems to fire like, seeln' you're goin' to be rich an' prosperous for the rest of your life, you might give away your belongings to your old A Desperate Scheme sucb a good Chance to slip through bet -nder finger "Here comes Dick Tyler now: I wonder bow he took the news or do you suppose be knows? she waylaid ' .111. ber band out In friendly disguise, -be had the curiosity of tbe majori ty of people to find out bow Dick "was going to take the news." "How are you. Dick? she aBked Pleasantly. "Tou're late, as usual, due to overwork. 1 declare, you are marvel to me. working as hard as If you did no- have a cent." Dick Tyler laughed, his eyea eager ly searching the crowd as if In queat of one face. "I'm doing my bit. that's all It's a mat'er of patriotism I can serve loci. Sam better in the factory than In tbe ranks of tbe army r. and Uveal across the street with an ancient housekeeper. He loved to play cards, and when the sisters in vited bitn over be came readily. Some times, as on this evening, be came without being aaked. Tbeu they bad to scurry around 10 find tbe fourth player. Visually the) aaked In Pauline Porter. l'auline Porter had a room in an ad joining bouae. She was something of a relation a fourth coualn, or tbe like and being well-to-do, they fell called upon to do something for her. She was thirty -five, rather an ordinary little person, quiet and gentle. She waa a typist, and earned enough for her slltu meals and her unfashionable clothing She had never bad a lover in her life, or known any man. After the second game Misa Anna tailed a halt. Always there were re-freahtirenl-' at these impromptu rani parties, and while Anna was collect 'tig t beni Angell'-a played the piano While Anna exercised tb. belief that the true way to ;i man's heart is had pat uee ;h m o:wy two Week iie fore M oa; Bill Ma, news some of th luucb money lie had burrowed. The", be thought of 10 cash on hand. It was with a dep-e.-seu reeling, he open ed the dresser drawer and counted out four loiely silver dollars. Thai sure ly would never buy a full dres-i suit. It would jusi aLout take him there and beek in a taxi. "I'll go." be cried suddenly. I'll go. by George. I'll never let anything like tbat stand In my way. Why. if old Dick Colllna ever knew I was down and out be'd despise me for father's sake. I'll risk It." he declared, and folding hu goid watcb and chain Into Its little chamois case, be grabbed up his hat and rushed below to the pawn shop two' squares down. One week later the same Joi n "dressed immaculately in the best drest euitbe could hire at tbe establishes tailors. Marx and Connoley, sauntered into the reception room at the .right of Mrs. ColUns, Marlon s mother. From The West neighbors instead o asklc' us to buy em." The Widow Merrill s face flushed a dull, miserable red and a sidk look came Into ber old eyea. "Seems like I'd ought to pay my own fare out there, when he's a-golrj to do so much for me." She trted to make ber voice steady, but it would tremble. "Seems like I might at least do that much. Well, g'day. Mil' Beagle ' And she was off for the next bouse. "I wonder if she believed me?" the Old woman questioned herself ae she went. "I wonder if she does think I'm goin' to a rich brother' instead of Jest to the tbe poor farm?" Everywhere it was the same. Tbey all questioned and commented, some kindly, others in a spirit of Jeal at the old womanjk pitiful attempt at decep tion. Not one of them believed the stdry of the rich brother. House by house she made the rounda: then hurried back to take a or navy. I'm trained for that, you know, while In the field I would be merely a raw recruit." "That's so By the way , Dick." said the old lady . unable to restrain ber curiosity any longer, "what do you mean bv letting Tom Haldon carry Mary M Manners off right before your eyea? You are the better man." "I don't believe I quite under stand ." began Dick baltfflgly. "Weil, Mary has announced ber en gagement to Tom. You knew that, didn t yon?" There was a curious tightening around Dick's wide mouth. "No," be said quietly "I hadn't beard the news." "Why, why," began old Mrs Patter sen, a bit, frustrated to bear that he through hit stomach Angelica ap ical waa purely aplrltual. Mr. Bradlsb lot ed mualo, and waa charmed by bars. She played all her sweeteal and soft est melodlea. but In tbe midst of Slcg- mind's love song Anna entered tbe room hvarlng a tray laden w Ith some, of her famous sugared dougiiuuts and a. Jug of grape Juice. Mr. Bradlsh'a attention instantly wandered from the mualc and concentrated upon the de licious looking doughnuts. As tor poor llttle-balf-dressed Pauline, aha had no idea of mualc. anyway, but she could understand Use satisfying possi bilities that lay in real food. "Come, Angelica, you've played long enough." commanded Anna. And An gelica resumed her place at tbe table feeling that she bad lost In ber sjs rer's favor. Tbe feeling grew as Mr. Bradlah ata and praised, but when the last cake had been coneumed he lean etl back, In bis chair and asked Angel ica to please play that last air orer again. With a triumphant glance at ber sis He met most of thv guests, but .... eyes searched eagerly for '.he ebveted one. . 1 "Hello. Johnny ItcKenate." he heard a loice behind him say, and he turned to encounter Marlon, ber race aglow, her slim Utile figur? g wned In a sof; filmy Waits creation thai h came her wonderfully John thought. "Why. Marlon." he said eetatlcaliy. "congratulations, you big. growu up lady! You're looking wondrrful, Ma rlon, and I'm surely glad to aee you After tbe first dance, tbey sauntered out on the big rose-vined veranda and be maue room for himself next to her on the rustic bench. "Johnny." she said, with old-time fa miliarity, "why have you stayed away from us all so long, you poo-over-worked boy?" 'That's Juat it," he lied, "so much work. I didn't dare atop fo' a minute. Vou UxtOW how thla war Bluff Is boom ing." And she did. Her father's ov.n mu- last farewell of her dear belonging!, before they should be gone forevet from her. They were not many. Ev erything but these few dearest posses slons Bad gone before now, sold in the city to Buy food and fuel during the long winter months. And now these, too, must go to pay her overdue rent At least (he should owe nothing when she mad the long dreaded Journey to th poor farm. Tbe auction Would surely bring enough for tbe rent. On by one le old woman fondled the articles collected In thv front room, waiting to'oe sold. This old armchair had been her buBbamTs. aud for over thirty years he had taken his rest within its capacious shelter; and this teapot bad belonged to her mother dear old friend, with Its old-fash loned curved spout and handle; how many cups of tea bad she poured from it In all the years since It had been given her on her wedding day? From theag very dishes sbe and Will was entirely ignorant of tbe latest gossip, "I think that she could have told you before sbe made It public. Tbe little cat! Well, all I can sa l that sbe'Il roe the day she marries Tom. A man with bis roving bablta will never settle down. Mark my worda!" Dick answered ber perruncioflly and strode away. Mrs. Patterson watched bim, ber faded blue eyes a bit misty. She had a little feeling of misgiving because she had told him about the engagement. After all. It was none of ber business, and she had always liked the boy. "There is one thing certain," she said, turning to ber interested neighbor. "I won't send ber any wedding present that eosts over U. that Will worry ber some, I guess. tor. Angelica Sea to the piano and An.-1 na was left to bear away the empty 1 raj in great chagrin Pauline sat like a little shadow on the edge of the big walnut cbalr. At 10 o'clock Pauline murmured that she must go, urging aa u timid cieusc tbat she bad to rise at Ii in order to be ready for her v.ork at t. Mr. Bradlsb also rose and offered to see Iter bono It waa very kind in Mr. Brudlsb. tbe slater thought, seeing In it a comiill-nv-ot to themselves. So they kissed Pauline good nlgbt and put ber In tbe gentlemen's care. Then they turned out the light and ran to tbe- window to see the pair go down the street in the ample winter mdonllgbt. "What a mile Pauline is!" Anna ft marked "She scarcely reaches to hi-, should. And what nhaaagfiB her to wvar lhat frumpy old black dress: She's got a better one." "Paulines queer." slgbed Angelica. "Living alone makes her so. I sup pose. I never saw her act queerer Uiuo she did tonight. Mr, Bradisli LlJG plant bad tripled in size slaps the d'-claration uf war. and was' grow log larger every day. y Suddenly John leaned oer and drew ber soft little hands within his own. "Marion, dear." he began tenderly, but be stopped abruptly as he though: of tbe true state of his finances. Vo could no", propose, but "Gad," he mut tered to, himself, bow be wanted to. Hv, looked up and Marlon's eyes were shining like twin soft winter stars. He read the antv, er be longed to ask but he dared not speak. - "Come." he said suddenly, "let us ro Indoors again. "There-" he pointed through the lace-das' window screen, "'here's Bob Davia looking his eyes 0U) tor that promised dance with you." Sbe rose indifferently. "Oh, Mack!" called Mr Collins, the millionaire munition manufacturer, as John McKenile turned In the hallway toward the smoking-room "At your service, sir," McKenzle re turned lightly, and tbey strode togeth bad eaten their first breakfast togeth er. And this stiver cake basket he had given her upon their first anniver sary. Sbe laid her band caressingly upon each old article, so rich tn mem ories to ber. Then, over In the corn er farthest from the door, as though it were placed there to shield it from curious eyes as long as possible, tbe old woman knelt beside tbe dearest possession of all. It was a little cra dle, old-fashioned In design. Intricate ly carved, kept .dusted and shining throughout the years by loving band. Will himself hsd carved It it wag 40 long years ago. Their baby had lived only a little time, but the few short weeks it had,-lain in the cradle had made it a hallowed shrine. Always she bad knelt beside II to whisper ber praj-ers. She had thought never to part with her baby's cfadle, but now Mis' Stevens, on the hill, will buy you. I know," she murmured to It. "She's a nice lady and kind; I'd rather It'd be for I promised ber a Sliver tea -r-ice like I gave Katie Carr. you remem ber." "Any duties left for me. Mary?' asked Dirk, stopping before a radiant young girl In filmy rose-colored tuTle. "I always save some for you. Dick, because you are sure to be late every where. You think more of . our work than you do of the girls, don't you?" sbe questioned, smilingly. "No. Mary; you know better than tbat," he said, quietly, and there Wag a sadness In bis eyes tbat seemed to take away part of tbe girl s eager Joy. "I have Just beard of your engage ment I want to offer say good wlsbea Your happiness means mere to me than anything else lfi the world:" "What what do yon mean. War?" must hare noticed the contrast. " Tbey bad rather a sleepless nigbl. each in her own room, and In conse quence thuy met at the breakfast ta ble In a state of armed neutrality kg getlca was languid but polite. Antm brittle but silent. Into this rarefied atmosphere en tered little Pauliue even rosier and brighter eyed than she bad been tbi evening before. "Why are you not at work?" de manded Anna. "You aren't 111? 91t down and have a cup of eoffe and some iiin... "Ob, ihRiilt you. I can't eat. I'm too bapp to est.' Pauline panted. "Ob. girls. It doesn't seem possible 1 can'! realize it yet It was so unexpected oh, girl!" "What are you talking about?" ask ed Anna. "Uon'l go on so. Tell us what you have to say-" said Angelica Pauline looked from one face to tbe other. "I'm going to marry Mr. B rad ish,'1 she burst out. By Joella er tow ard th little alcove "I know It's a shame to break In 011 your fun, uld man. but would you mind stepping 10 my room a moment. I've something I'd like to talk over with you." - A iiiyried of accusations raced through John M. Kenr.lt- - head, but he Btuiled diplomatically and accepted with gracv. "It's Just this. I a nutshell." Rich ard P'enmore Collins said almost Im mediately when be had drawn up his .hair to the desk piled high with pa pers, "you're a pretty snappy sort of chap. Maek. and fact Is. I want jou In my business. I know," he hurried on to say, "It's asklpg a lot to give up tbat stock business you're in, but Just look here, my boy," and he reach ed for some data and began to go over tbe net profit receipts of his factory "Now then " he concludvd In hla customary phrasing, "how would five thousand a year strtk-n you for a beginner?." By Phil Moore her than any one.' There waa a step upon the porch and the Widow Merrill rose hastily to her feet. "The auctioneer!" she thought, and, choking back s sob, stepped to the door. But it waa not wizened old Jim Wray, who officiated at all May burst's auctions. This waa an elderly, ill-diesed stranger, who doffed bis hat and bowed with an old-time curt ay aa the Widow Merrill opened the door. "I wonder If you would be so kind as to direct me Mary!" cried the stranger suddenly. In a Joyful voice, and the Widow Merrill realized that be was in the arms of her brother, of whom sbe had heard nothing In twenty-five years. "I stopped writing Be cause I waa ashamed to wrW again." he was explaining. "I'd borrowed so much from you and Will and It seem ed I would never be able to repay you. For years I knocked about the By Elsie asked Mary, tremulous!: , as tbey turn ed toward a tittle alcove where there was a bench behind tell palms and ferns. "Have you seer Tom Hsldon any where?" Mary demanded of Mrs. Pat terson half an hour later. "1 must see bim right Hway." "You win. Tom, you ou dear: Mary Was laughing hysterically while Tom Haldon wts trying to get her away from people so tbat nobody would bear. "I I "ever can do enough fot you. You blessed old thing, and Just of times I have said that you war not worth a thing to tb world. Why. you've made me happier than I ever was in all my life." "What did tMc Tyler sajrf That what 1 want to know." ''How do you know?" demanded An na, training her last gun of defense "Because he's aaked me," answered Pauline, simply. "He aslrod me last night. And and he's going to bring 1111 a beautiful diamond ring his even ing And we're going to be married Just aa quick as he ran dispose of bis housekeeper -and .I've given Up my Job lu set t"ndy oh. zfTrTs! Will you help mi p'eh out my wedding clothes?" Anna lcokou at Angelica mid Angel ica looked back at Anna It waa Ann., who spoke. After all. It was Just aa well. And she preferred that l'auline should have him rather 'ban inj,- Ilea An? kind of a hus band would be s godaeud to Pauline, poqr thing. "Of course, we'll help you pick out your tilings." she said brave ly. "And. What is mtfre. Pauline aft er all. we are related and you're no body else we'll see tbat you are mar ried properly. Won't we, Angelica?" "Certainly, dear," responded angel ica faintly, but generously, as always following ber sister's lead Johnson John McKentie fingered tbe lapali of bis coat a bit apeamodleatly for a second. The shock waa almost too much But he summoned his courage, braced bia shoulders, and with a little throw of his head replied: "It's a go Mr. Collins, but on one condition 1 must have Marlon aa jny wife." Why - why ' Mr. Colllna "was shocked into "frowning for a moment, but suddenly broke Into a hearty laugh "Wby. old man." be said with a slap on the younger s ahoulder, "If the little lady is willing, It suits me to a i Then," he continued. "If it'a go ing to be a family affair, we might con bldt-r giving you a share in the busi ness. Just for luck." "Just aa 1lear old Dad always told me." John repeated rejoicingly as h held Marlon In hi arms a few mo ments later, "never admit you're beat en, and the best will come to you. for Its. a case of: "To him who hath shall be given." And Marlon tbougbt so too. country, doing odd jobs here and there, never getting ahead. Then sud denly I don't know why 1 came to a realisation of bow I was wasting my life, drifting. I settled down to a steady position, worked hard, invested my savings. I never expected to be come rich from my small Investment, but war ordera made the stock rise with a Jump and keep rising Last week I sold out and well, none of us need ever worry shout rent and gro ceries now. You and Will and I" "Not Will,", whispered th Vidow M.-.rrlil, and they held hand In si leuce for a while. A knock at the door, an 1 thora stood tic suctloncer and the ncigbnora. Sooic 1 .j no in a spirit of friendliness, some out of curiosity; but they were all ilitrc. As they fled away Grandma Fugle, wa;; lean! to say, In a tone of great respect, "her brother's awful rich, aa' he always thought a heap o' her." Endicott "Oh, I can't tell that to anybody, not even to you He wants me to marry him fight away, within sla weeks. But. Tom, don't -xou thin I ought to tell him (hat wa-had up a wager on what we would do when our engagement w announced and that It wa Just scheme to make bim acknowledge his love for mt?" "For hesven's sake, no! That would spoil the whole thing." ssld Tom. Tom Haldron threw a cigarette, a yet unltgbted. into an aah tray "Wouldn't I have been In the deuce of a fix If Dick hadn't taken her off m hand' By Oeorge, that was a clone have." x "Suppose th scheme had failed and I had been Compelled to marry him!" Mary soliloquized, eeretly