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PAGE TWO. THE MONROE JOUKNAL. FRIDAY, APRIL 20, 1923. v PACV TWO. hAdMaJ9 The Custard Cup Florence Kmftain Uvingjton Copyright bf On B. Dona Company V 8YNOP8IS CHAPTER L Living In a barn, con verted Into a dwelling, Mrs. Pentield is manager of an apartment building known as the "Custard Cup," originally "Cloister Court." Her Inoome la derived from lavm dry work, her chief patron being a Mrs. Horatlus Weatheratone, whom she has never seen. Living with her are. "Crlnk" nd "Tliad," homeless small boys whom , she has adopted. They call her "Penile." Tuad tells Penile a strange man was In quiring (or her under her maiden name. CHAPTER IL-A tenant, Mrs. Qussie Bosley, Induces Penile to take charge ot a package, which she does with some misgivings. :. . CHAPTER IIL Searching a refuse dump for things which might be of value, Crlnk, veteran at the game, encounters a Bmall girl, Lettie, who proves a foeman worthy of his steel. He takes her to Penzie, and Lettie is adopted Into the family. CHAPTER IV. The stranger proves to be Mrs. Penfleld's uncle Jerry. He an nounces he Is going to remain in the vicinity of The Custard Cup. CHAPTER V. Dade Jerry arranges to occupy the loft abov Mrs. Penfleld's abode. v CHAPTER VI. Uncle Jerry meets Pru dence Hapgood, no longer young, but at tractive, and the two appear to "hits It off" well. Lorene Percy, young friend of Penxie's, tells her of her engagement to Pick Chase, also a mutual friend. CHAPTER VIL-Frlendship developing between Uncle Jerry and Frank Bosley, husband of Qussie, worries Penile. CHAPTER VIII. Calming a ' tenant, Mrs. Sanders, on the verge of a nervous Breakdown, Mrs. Penfleld reveals the trag ic story of her own lite, the sudden loss Of her three children in an epidemic and the subsequent death of her husband. CHAPTER IX. Lettie's pet aversion In ' The Custard Cup has long been a certain j Mr. Josiah Wopple, and the animosity cul- ' minates in a physical encounter in which I much water is spilled. CHAPTER X. Dick Chase confides to Mrs. Penfleld that his fiancee's step- giother, Mrs. Percy, by pleading physical elplessnees, is seeking to prevent their marriage. Penzie skilfully exposes Mrs. Percy's sham, and the latter la forced to Withdraw her objections. CHAPTER XL The domestic dlfflcul ties of the Bosleys become a matter of gossip among the other tenants of The Custard Cup. CHAPTER XIL-Lettle, having BUbtly discovered her beloved Peniie's distrust, of Frank Bosley as a companion of Uncle Jerry, denounces Bosley and appeals to Uncle Jerry to give up the acquaintance ship. They laugh at her. CHAPTER Xnt Endeavoring to pre vent the marriage of Lorene and Dick Chase, Mrs. Percy succeeds In badly dam aging Lorene's trousseau. Mrs. Penfleld, by the hardest kind of work, repairs the damage, and the wedding takes place. CHAPTER XIII Calamity Coal Oil. The days of Lorene Percy's engage ment had been stormy ones In her home, but through neighborly persua sion imd Intercession, Mrs. Percy had raised no permanent obstacle. Lo rene's friends felt certain that her re lease from home rule was assured. It was the evening before the mar riage ceremony. All the little Pen- fields had long since retired to their! sleeping-boxes; and that they might j not be disturbed by the light, Mrs. Penfleld was sewing in the kitchen It was late and jshe was very tired. Twice she had caught , herself nap ping and had gone to the back door to breathe in the fresh air and get thor- CUT FLOWERS Floral designs, wedding boqoets, and flowers of all kinds Prices reasonable We make shipments to Waxhaw, Marshville, Wingate and other nearby towns. CODE MORGAN At Union Drug Co. Phone 221. Good assortment of Horses aw Mule Untrgies and Wagons on hand at all times. Agents lor Kelly Springfield Tires and Tues. Terms Easy. THE SIKES COMPANY. Dr. S. A Alexander Veterinarian C"ce Phone 113. Res. 55-J. lex: ughly awake again. The moon was full; the sky was Intensely blue ex cept where quills of white cloud were laid across It j the back yard was filled with soft radiance that transformed the ugly clothes-poles Into slender shafts of light. . "What a beautiful world it la!" she said to herself. "And we all go so fast that we don't have time to loot at it the way it Is. I wonder why we get fretted up over a lot of pesky de tails that we forget all about In a week, when the universe Is calm and happy. Looks like we ain't In har mony with it I wish I had time No, I don't What I wish is that I can stay awake and sew an overcoat" Resolutely she went back to her chair and fitted sections of the coat together. . Footsteps sounded on the board walk. ":, There was a quick knock. The door opened. , : "Oh, I knew something would hap-, pen. I Just knew it would. 'And It has. Oh oh !" Mrs. Penfleld ; sprang to her feet. The voice was familiar, but she would hardly have recognized, with out this evidence, the figure that con frdnted her. "Lorene!" she gasped. ; "Look at me!" cried the girl. Her tragic tone emphasized her ludicrous appearance. Her face ; and hands were covered With fine soot. In flecks, In streaks ; her fair hair was curiously darkened, as if a ttiin black veil had been drawn over it ; her light blue house dress looked greasy and soiled. "Why, my dear, I can see you've had a little accident," said Mrs. Pen-' field briskly, "but 'twon't take long to get you washed "up again. I'll help you. Oil heater, I s'pose." . The girl nodded. "My Mrs. Percy lighted it and put It In my room. I was going to pack. She said I'd take cold If the room wasn't warmed. Ami and when I went in a few minutes later, I couldn't see. The air was full of black soot everywhere clouds of it Oh, dear; oh, dear, what can I do?" "Why, Lorene, I'll help. We" "Mrs. Penzie," shrieked the girl, Wringing her hands in distress, "you don't understand. Everything Is ru ined." . "Everything?" : "Yes, everything. All my clothes! I hnd them all laid out, ready to pack , on the bed,., the chairs. : The clothes press was open. They're all black, j sticky, spo-olled." She threw herself on the wash bench and broke . Into j wild sobbing. "Why, by the time I'd ' been In there two minutes look at me!" "Oh, my dear," begged Mrs. Ten fleld, "don't cry, We've got to think of something." "We can't," wailed the girl. "There isn't anything to be-begin on. They were all there everything I own In the world, everything I've been saving for all these mo-months," She. lifted her head and looked at Mrs. Penfleld with streaming eyes. "Yes, I suppose they can be cl-cleaned, but there isn't time before tomorrow. There Isn't tl-tl-tlme." Her vo'ce broke. "Dick has his leave of absence and the tlc tlckets ana all the de-details arranged. We can't put It off and and we cant j I can't be m-m-mayied like this, can Tl" RhArfhppw nut hr nrmi In a trttm. f ture of hopelessness. Mrs. Penfleld could not restrain a smile as sh gazed at the forlorn bride-elect, huddled on the wash bench, too abject to realize her own appearance et the moment or to care about It compared with the greater calamity at home. "What can I do, Mrs. Penzie? I can't ask Dick to' take me like this." "No, dear, you aren't going to." Mrs. Penfleld put her hands on the girl's shoulders and gave her a gentle shake j that was half reproof and half caress. I "Grab your nerve, Lorene, and wellj work a way out of this. So long as there ain't nothing more vital In the path than soot and cinders, I predict ! you're going to be married tomorrow '' noon, as scheduled and all fresh and dainty, too. You left your windows-, open, didn't you?" . . j "Oh, yes, but" ' I "Then the air must be clear by this time. I'll turn out the lamp, and we'll go right over and see how things look." v.. , ., t t. Things looked exactly as Lorene had . represented. The swirling soot had settled and very, thoroughly, too. ! The care and forethought with which Lorene had gathered together all her j possessions to be packed as swiftly as possible, had greatly heightened the disaster. Part of her outfit had been assembled for her trip; the rest was to have been sent to her new home. Two trunks stood open; the trays, half packed, had been lifted rot and had suffered complete clips. Not evsn the bureau drawers were closed as usual. , j Mrs. Penfleld went briskly around the room, collecting washable articles In a big clothes-bag. From the clothes press Lorene brought out the form on which hung the beautiful suit tn which she was to have been married. An hour before. It had been a delicate brown, with a narrow white vest. Bnt even Its cover had been taken off and folded. As Lorene looked at the sorry , garment her eyes filled agamy her shoulders shook. . ' - i '"Don't you care r said Mrs. Pen-1 field cheerfully. "Well send It to the cleaner's the first hing In the) morn ing, and like as not they'll cut their twenty-four-hour service to twelve. Then Til send It to you by express. ' Now what do you think you'd better wear tomorrow?. This white georgette Is lovely, but yon sure couldft't travel In It. My idea would be this." She lifted a gown of gray-blue silk figured In a misty pattern. v Lorene shook her heed. "It isn't wash' iilcw . I csn w.ish it." affirmed Mrs. Pen field stoutly. "1 can tell by the fil ing of It." The door evened a crack. The heavy face of Mrs. Percy appeared, followed by the lady herself as she perceived that the air was now free of ks sooty burden. "Ain't It a mess!" she cried, In fas tidious disgust. "Good heavens, Lo rene, I don't see what you were think ing of not to keep an eye out You knew Td lighted the heater. You've certainly dished your own plans now and you did It yourself, too. Yon can't say that 1" "It's a beautiful evening, ain't It Mrs. Percy r greeted Mrs. Penfleld The Heavy Face of Mr. Percy Ap peared. .' ' genially. "Did you notice the moon? It's 'bout the grandest we ever get" Mrs. Percy's neck stiffened. She tossed her head In offended dignity. "I guess you don't need me If you're feeling so pert" she snapped. The door closed with decisive vehemence. "I was wondering about a coat," re marked Mrs. Penfleld quietly, as if her thoughts had never, strayed from this subject "If I only if I had but mebbe you could " "I can borrow a coat And oh, I wonder- Yes, see! My hat was In Its box and It's all right" Lorene held up a small brown traveling hat "That's fine. My, but you're a lucky girl, Lorene. Now you take part of these things and we'll go back and get to work." V'" But scarcely had they reached Nmn ber 47 when Mrs. Penfleld reversed her orders. "Ain't no need for yotf to stay, Lorene. Washing Is a simple thing for me, you know, and I'll en joy doing something toward the occa sion. Besides, we might disturb the children ' If you stayed. You run along. You've got a lot of trinkets to scrub up and your hair to wash, V put these white things a-eoak and squeeae 'em out. They can be Ironed later." - ' Lorene hesitated. "I hate to have you, but If I set the alarm and come over real early, you'll leave the Iron ing for me, won't you? And It wouldn't disturb you?" " . "Dear child, you can't disturb me. Oorae over as early as you like." Lorene kissed her gratefully and went . Mrs. Penfleld started up the fire and strung the kitchen with many lines of heavy twine. Contrary to her careless protestations, the task ahead of her was by no means Bimple. Diversity was Its keynote. Some of the things required hot water, some cold, some lukewarm ; some demanded soap, some .could hot survive It Lace had to be ripped out and cleansed separately. ' The blue silk was put through water, that hod been made milky by one ojf Mrs. Penfleld's washing bags, devices of her own for the laun dering of delicate colored fabrics. The, two tubs were supplemented by pans and basins. Rinsing, blueing, starch ing; all took time. Even the drying was a matter for constant supervision, constant rearrangement owing to the uneven heat In the room. When it came to the Ironing, Mrs. Penfleld found the electric bulb too far from the prescribed position of her board; but by putting the lamp on top of the cupboard, she was able to get sufficient light to go on .with her work..; Day was breaking when Lorene came around the house. Seeing. the light she went In softly; then stopped short m amazement The kitchen wa hnng with dainty garments, smoothly ironed, each on a anger formed by a rolled newspaper and. suspended by a string. Her eyes fell on three elabo rate white blouses that she had not realized Mrs. PenfiV.d had taken. The white georgette gown ws like new, every one of Its many plaits pressed crisp and" flatj the lace that outlined the square neck, was feslv and fluted. The blue silk showed no slightest trace of the evening's experience. .' Mrs. Penfleld W".s sitting on the edge of a stool, her body crumpled forward, her cheek,, resting on the Ironing-board, her holder In her out flung hnnd. She was asleep. , "And I let her do It," breathed the girl. In contrition. ' Mrs. Penfleld roused. In the midst of her weariness sensing the presence of another person, There were tired shadows under - her eyes, v but she smiled brightly. . : : ' "I guess Tm all through, Lorene. I wa Just resting a minute." - i Lorene sprang forward and threw her arms around Mrs. Penfleld's, neck. She kissed the tired cheeks. Mrs. Penfield held her close. Fleet ing pictures Jerked through her brain of her own life, starting in promise like Lorene's, breaking In despair aa she hoped Lorene's never would. "Dear little girl, may you be happy always," she whispered. CHAPTER XIV 1 V Not a Friend to Unole Jerry. . "What's the ; Idea, Car'line?" In quired Uncle Jerry , coming Into the kitchen. "Crlnk says yon won't tell 'em how" to make a hen-coop or hen house, or whatever It Is, and he'n Let tie are getting their brains all snarled up, trying to study It, out" " Twon't hurt 'em a mite," declared Mrs. Penfleld serenely, as she poured cold water over the starch and crushed out the lumps against the bottom of the big pan: "What I aim to do, Uncle Jerry, is to teach them children to think. How are they ever going to get along when they grow up If they haven't learned to work out their own problems?" Uncle Jerry turned toward the sink to wash his hands. ' "They'll be smarter when they grow up." "Not If they don't have some mental exercise along the way," retorted Mrs. Penfleld mildly. "I flgger that a lot of parents practically embalm their children's brains by doing all the thinking for the family. That's One mistake I don't Intend to make.? Uncle Jerry reached for the sonp. "It's all the same to me," he grinned. "Bonnie Geraldine's the one that's got the kick." "Nonsense I I'll risk Bonnie : Ger aldine. Crlnk knows as much about boards and nails as I do, and If he and Lettie can't study up some kind of shelter for one hen, I'll be 'shamed of 'em; It may take "em a few days, but they'll be days well put In." She set the pan on the stove and poured in boiling water, -stirring briskly as she talked. '; Uncle Jerry wiped his hands thoughtfully. "I wasn't criticizing, Car'line. Great Scott, If 'you've got the courage to take In kids that you might leave running loose In the world, you'd oughter have the privi lege of managing 'em any way you darn please. All Is, I wasn't going to hand out any hints If twas contrary to rules, so I was asking." "You're a dear," acknowledged Mrs. Penfleld, smiling. "I am dead set on this one point 'cause I've been bored half to death by so many folks that couldn't think an original thought If, it'd bring 'em a million dollars. I tell you what, Uncle Jerry, there's more ' folks'n there ought to be whose minds ain't nothing but cold-storage plants, j 'Course you don't always know where; the material came from and some-; times you can trace it easy, I knew n wnmnn nnnt vhrt nova, nM nnv thing 'cept wat her mlnlster'd handed out to her. case, but Til bet she wasn't the only one In the congregation. Monday and Tuesday she was real int'rusting; Wednesday she was Just so-so; Thurs-i vv eunesaay she was Just so-so : Thurs-1 day she 4s on the decline; and by! 2S TiS - mT t, V !r S , '2? nhed- "Blessed if I didn't always call on that woman long the first of the week sometime." i I "You're mighty encouraging to a j feller that's had a hlt-or-ralss life, 1 ! Car'line. I'd always wished some- ' K body'd worked out a few things for j me, Oh, by the way," he added, as he smoothed his hair before the small f I mirror mac nung Dy the cupboard, "I i ordered a sack of sweet potatoes this 1 morning. They'll come sometime to day. I got 'em tumble cheap, 'cause they're whales too big for fancy trade. But I thought mebbe you " could use 'em." i "Oh, Just grand," cried Mrs.. Pen- f field. , "I'd as soon have outsize pota toes as any other .kind, and they're i what we' need most. You be sure to , come 'round to supper tonight, Uncle Jerry. We'll have sweet potatoes with salt on 'em, and a cauliflower , that Crlnk brought yesterday. ItH be a grand spread." "Yes," acknowledged Jerry . Winston gravely, "I'll stake my life you'll make them youngsters b'lleve It's Thanks giving, but" K , -Plenty to eat Is always Thanks giving," she Interrupted placidly. "We're awful Incky to be well nour tsbed all the time." ' Jerry Winston said nothing. He took up his hat and whirled It ab sently round and round. The habit ual twinkle had died out of his eyes, rcaTiug urau giuuiu. - uuring several moments of silence he watched Mrs. Penfleld sprinkling clothes and rolling them into tight compass with a final slap from her palm to encourage capillarity.. -'-- Finally he roused and opened the kitchen door. "I wish I had 4 settled Income," he muttered. He jammed on his hat and went put , T "Poor man, I wish he had!" thought -Mrs. penfleld. ."It's hard on hlra to rat loose and not get tied to some thing agam. Land, I got to be careful not to feel hurt 'cause he can't talk 'it over with his own niece; but trying to force a, feller's confidence is out like nrvinir a cocoon nen with a inin I ain't going to care; I'm going to expect and I'm an awful good ex pecter. Besldes,'I gota heap of won derful things to think about." v It was true that several high points had recently been reached by the Pen fields. For one thing, Crlnk had been promoted in the grocery business, be- tag paid now in a small amount of1 coin ensn ror nig rno-nour service in I the late afternoon. He was also still L on the lnsfcle ring in regard to bar- gains in vegetables, groceries and meat bones, and continued to bring In supplies that represented a sharp saving to the family. Crlnk had visions of being able to support the .household before many years, and 'already he, was swinging "In and out of The Ousttffd Cup with an engaging air of haste and responsibility, j Lettie also had distinguished her self by a week of flawless behavior. Whether It was because of greater effort or because of fewer ' alluring temptations, no one knew; neither was anyone so' unfeeling as to inquire.. The glory of the achievement ' threw the lower rungs of the ladder Into kindly shadow. At last Lettie had been arrayed In the pink sweater and the white hat of Turkish beaver and had gone to church. And again no one sought diligently for the motive lest It might be found. Many motives .which result In creditable actions will undergo Instant disintegration if they are exposed to the light, and no risk was run by any Penfleld. It is not to be supposed that Lettie, having won her victory, was inclined to underrate Its Value. For weeks the plnk-and-whlte outfit had been the pinnacle of her hopes and the bitterest element in her failures ; but when it was hers by honest record, she car ried off the situation with great non chalance. Her black eyes glowed with deep fire ; her face was Irradiated ; but her manner was set in the last notch of jauntlness. ' "Jlmlnyt" she bad cried, upon her return from church. "These togs sure beat the World for class. I didn't see anybody dressed niftier, and. I got the swellest feelings Inside me. Seems like there ain't nothing I couldn't do If I hnd the clo'es for It" Mrs. Penfleld smiled at this naive confession of unchanging femininity. I "Unw fhat vmi'va hacron T hnna irMi1!! keep right on wearing that sweater ev'ry Sunday. It was easy, after all, wasn't Itr : ; "Oh, dead easy!" conflrmed Lettie, with a careless gesture that repudi ated weary weeks of abortive en deavor, "jhere ain't nothing to this behaving stunt 'cept pot getting riled." "Lettie," sighed Mrs. Penfleld, "what you got to learn Is to behave In spite of getting riled." . r ."0 Lord!" cried the child, rolling her eyes In dismay. "Pd ruther dodge. And It works out Just the same."'. "You couldn't dodge all the time, Lettie ; but if you want to try It for a spell, there ain't no objection. Now that you can wear your good clo'es, ' t0 Suday f,00,1 wltD Crlnk and Thad reg'lar. It'll be tur rlble good for you." Of these more cheerful phases of two Immediate problems food supply and Lettie's training Mrs. Penfleld was thinking as she finished her sprinkling and starching and changed ; her dress. It was the first of Decem ber. ; She had ; been collecting the JEl?K?5 was complete except for the Bosleys. While she was debating whether she would call for their rent or let -It go till they thought of it as they sdrely ,j . .. , . . ld ' 7 two, Gussle Bosley "l came near forgetting It again," ' h wekg Wack satin nm9t - Ground Her Neck Was a Lor OfceJn i 0f Wrought Ck4d. 'I i neck was a long chain of wrought gold, set with Jade. Mrs. Penfleld threw her a second puzzled glance, finding It difficult to realise that this ultra young woman belonged In the exceedingly humble Custard Oup. . Qussie. catching the glance, preened herself saucily. "Do yon like Itr "Yes, it's very smart" ' ; "Glad yon think so. It's a simple little dress. I picked It up In San Francisco the other day." Well, If I found 'ena lying around, rd keeP on Picking," smiled Mrs, Pen- neia enia11'- i doe tor common, but what Tm dead gone on Is this chain. Ain't It the swellest thing yon ever glimmered? A Chink friend of Frank's sent it to me." ' -: . fl don't wonder you're pleased. The Chinese are awful generous making ! gifts if they like folks, alnt they?" A " came supernuous ,tat( 8,g cheeks. "Ye-yes. Int theyr There wa knocking at the back door. Mrs. Penfleld excused herself. "It was the delivery man," she ex plained when she returned. "Uncle Jerry ordered a sack of sweet pota-, toes foi nie this morning. Didn't ask nor nothing I He Is the most thought ful man I" A hard look came Into Gussle Bos lev's eves. "Lucky you're so well sat- isfled," she snapped. ' Mrs. Penfleld looked at her in aston ishment It had not once occurred to her that Frank Bossy's Vifis might not be In sympathy with his friend ship for Uncle Jerry. Evidently she and Gussle were in agreement about Its undeslrabllity, nut uussies alti tude suggested a personal criticism which was most unwelcome. "I conclude you don't like him," she said vaguely. Gussle shrugged. "I don't think anything about him unless I have to, but I shouldn't have said It if you hadn't dragged him into the talk. Tnin't your fault, anyhow," , She - turned to go. "Oh, Mrs. Penfleld, do you s'pose the landlord would put an extra lock on the back door?" ,.,T I.., ntnnM ; Ain't on back door got anything but the reg'lar lock and bolt. He couldn't put on an extra one 'thout getting asked for eleven more, likely." ; "My heavens, this is a cheap hole. Til be glad when we get out of It Wouldn't have caught me staying here all this time If Td hnd my way." She flounced out of the door. Mrs. Penfleld stood as Gussle had left her, lost in thought. "I guess I'm stupid," she reflected. "I can't get a line on . those Bosleys, except they dont nirree. That seems to oe rree Information for errybody. But If this is the reception TJncle Jerry gets at thftr hnnaA. whv doesn't he OUlt going?" 70 BE CONTINUED Mata's Blue and White Marimba Band 1 Popular Organization Big , New York '" "" Hippodrome Success e Native Central Americans SEVENTH NIGHT Redpath Chautauqua 7 BIG DAYS . SEASON TICKETS 2.73 Chautauqua Week Here May 9 to 16. TyeaaUfy Ydur Complexion O In Ten Dcjm Scientists long ago discovered ' ' and combined in Nadtnola Cnam those elements which bleach the j akin, remove tan, freckles, pim " plea and blackheads, and pro duce that smooth, satin -like texture so much admired. By its own virtues Naiinol . ...i Crtam removes impurities and leaves the skin dear, healthy , and beautiful - , , Guarantee and directions in each package. Two sizes, 50c and $1.00, at your toilet counter. Vfd and EnAontd By , Thoaumd NATIONAL TOUT CO, Pari T ream R. L. PAYNE, IX D. Office Over Union Drug Co. Residence Phone 4C3 Office Phone J m
The Monroe Journal (Monroe, N.C.)
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April 20, 1923, edition 1
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