One morning Scoris received a letter from her mother, saying that Geron had mortgaged his portion of the estate and that Lear Shuman had secured him a position in the city at such a good salary that they were all going to move in a few months. The girls had heard about his dissatisfaction and were not surprised at the news, but regretted it, for they knew that it was a mistake. “One comfort we will have out of it: mother will live with us,” Helen remarked.
“Yes,” Scoris said, “it will be nice for us, but hard for her, after living all her life in the freedom of the open country, away from smoke and dust. Think of Geron investing the money he received on the mortgage in stocks. The uncertainty of it and that Lear advised it. That is the outcome of that visit Geron and Grace paid them a year ago. The salary Geron is to receive seems large to him now, but how little he knows about the destruction of clothing and household goods with the constant dust. I am afraid they will regret it.”
CHAPTER IX.
In another week Tom and Nellie arrived in the city on a visit and were astonished at their reception. They had intended seeing their old friends and enjoying a quiet time, but instead were rushed from one place to another and were constantly told that “of course you must see so-and-so, for they are such good workers in the cause, don’t you know, and will be encouraged if you will only see them.”
They went everywhere and enjoyed the occasion, being pleased that they were so well received.
“But, Tom,” Nellie said one morning, “we must see more of Scoris. I am getting impatient to see the effect those presents will have upon her and the surprise they will be. Do you know, Tom, what Scoris Vivian is like? A beautiful diamond—a continual surprise; the setting is so simple, so unobtrusive, but the gem is always seen. To me her life is one continual sparkling ray of love that is never hidden. Just think of it! Here we have been feted and given receptions by members who were so glad to honor us for what you have done, and she had as much to do with this movement in the beginning as you had and a great deal more than I, yet no one seems to realize it. We are receiving all the presents from the manufacturers, and I am glad I found out her taste in regard to dress. Now we can give her her choice, for she certainly deserves the best. I never was dressed so well before and it helps the cause that much more. I am glad it pays them to send them to us.”
“Pays them!” laughed Tom. “Well, I should think it did. Do you know how many cases our members have already taken from that firm that was the first to send these samples?”
“No; how many?”
“I forget the exact figure, but it was more than any of the old firms they have been dealing with, I was told, and we are only in our infancy as a society. It has paid them well to become members and will start others to do so, for of course we secure them a market in a way that helps the society and makes them no expense for advertising and the returns are large. It will be only a matter of time when they will manufacture under the name of the society.”
“So you have gotten away from them all at last!” exclaimed Scoris, as she met them at the door the next evening. “We were afraid they were going to monopolize you during the whole visit, you are so popular. I have felt so gratified. And your beautiful gowns! Why, Nellie, you are bewitching! Come, now, stand up for inspection. That dress is lovely and fits like a glove. From your hat to your shoes all is perfection. I am going out to that colony, for I see you have a fairy godmother out there. Why, my dear, you look like a girl of sixteen.”