t
she had her photographt took in several 'poses', as they call 'em, when
she was playin' in that 'Rural Beauty'. I got the prints myself from the
man that took 'em."

But when she hunted for the pictures, Mrs. Morton found they were
missing. "I declare for't!" she said, quite vexed. "I do believe that
Sallie took 'em with her to show to folks she expects to ask for work.
Jest like her! Oh, she's smart, Sallie is."

"There's that picter she had took the time we went to the County Fair,
three year ago, Maw," suggested Mr. Morton, as they prepared to sit down
to the bountiful table. "I 'low she's filled out some since then; she
was as leggy as a colt. But these gals can see what she looks like in
the face."

While he was speaking his wife brought forth the family album--a green
plush affair with a huge gilt horseshoe on the cover. She turned over the
leaves till she found Sallie's photograph, and displayed it with pride.
Nan secretly thought her father's description of Sallie at twelve years
old or so was a very good one; but Mrs. Morton evidently saw no defects
in her child's personal appearance.

"Sallie wore her hair in curls then, you see," said Mrs. Morton. "But she
says they ain't fashionable now, and she's been windin' her braids into
eartabs like that leadin' lady in the movie company done. Makes Sallie
look dreadfully growed up," sighed the troubled woman. "I sartainly do
hate to see my little girl change into a woman so quick."

"That's what my woman says," agreed Snubbins. "Celia's 'bout growed up,
she thinks. But I reckon if her mother laid her across her lap like she
uster a few years back, she could nigh about slap most of the foolishness
out o' Celia. Gals nowadays git to feel too big for their boots--that's
what the matter."

"Mercy!" gasped Bess. "I hope my mother won't go back to first
principles with me, if I displease her. And I'm sure your Celia can't be
really bad."

"Just foolish--just foolish, both on 'em," Mr. Morton said. "Let me help
you again."

"Oh, I'm so full," sighed Bess.

"I'm afraid ye ain't makin' out a supper," Mrs. Morton said.

"Indeed we are," cried Nan. "I only wish the children on that snow-bound
train had some of these good things."

This turned the current of conversation and the Mortons were soon
interested in the girls' story of the castaways in the snow. Mrs. Morton
set to work at once and packed two big baskets with food. A whole ham
that she had boiled that d