The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1901-07-12

My GEAR, John S motner IS lOVely,
but she is the precisest person that
ever existed. She has kept her silver
teapot in the mathematically same
spot for 35 years; she told me so her.
self! She has a place for every pin.
and she keeps the pin exactly in it,
well" Valerie had said, 81 don't
care. She has perfect right to keep
her pins and her teapot where she
likes. l don't care where things are
kept
''You certainly don't" Eleanor had
exclaimed. THAT is the very point.
You are a dear, but you never did
have real place for a thing; and
if you had, you probably wouldn't
keep the thing in it-all the time.
Would You Valerie?"
mo, l suppose not Valerie had re-
turned. but you know I've visited
Johns mother. l shocked her a lit
tie, I'm afraid, but she was very
kind"
"Wait until she is your mother-in-
law the well-intentioned Eleanor
had said.
Valerie had waited so happily, but
now-she thought of the silver tea
pot. "Thirty-five years! Thirty-tive
minutes would be nearer the time
ia have kept it in one place." she
reflected.
She looked at Johns mother curl.
ously, almost forgetting that she had
stayed in the house a for week with
her-and, presumably. with the silver
teapot; she had not noticed exactly
where Johns mo4fer kept it. Her
mother-in-law in turn looked at Val.
erie, almost forgetting, on her part
the visit during which Valerie hac
been so demure and sweet that her
habit of dropping her small persona
belongings about the house had beer
all but forgiven. Eleanor's words
gained weight. Disorderly order
might be picturesque, but it was con-
Trajectory, thought Johns mother
John serenely finished his break.
fast, and methodically folded his nap
kin. He wondered why his mother
and his wife were so silent. He even
asked them, but they smiled and did
not tell him.
Valerie followed him into the hall
dropping her handkerchief, two hair.
pins and the rose from her hair or
the way. She detained him as long as
possible: then she went to the gate
with him. At the gate she told him
five times to come home early. very
early. She fingered until he turned
the corner; then, restraining a wild
impulse to run after him, she slowly
returned to the house.
How absurd ] ami" she told her.
self. "But [ am so afraid Johns
mother won't really be fond of me
She thinks I'm frivilous, know
Johns mother met her in the hall
She held Valerie's rose, her handker,
chief and her hairpins in her hand
She was kind woman, but her life
had followed for many years the self
same pattern, and she had acquired g
cool, fixed demeanor that might have
made less sensitive, impulsive
daughter-inlaw than Valerie shrink
Il think you dropped these?" she said
and Valerie felt uncomfortable.
THANK you" she answered She
tucked the rose an( he hairpins in
her hair and push the handker
chief into her sleeve. Her face was
so serious that Johns mother was
distressed.
what shall I ever do with her?'
she asked herself: 81 had rather
hoped she might love me. but she evi
IDENTIFY thinks me foolishly particu
lar" She turned to go into the din
ing room and Valerie followed her.
'Do let me help you!" said Valerie
II don't know very much about house.
keeping-but if you will tell me how,
I'd love to help about everything"
She was divided between a feeling
that she really ought to help and the
fear that Johns mother might not
desire her to help. She suddenly won.
dered if Johns mother expected her
to attend TO all the household affairs
She decided to write and ask her owr
mothers opinion; but meanwhile she
must carefully feel her way. Eleanor
says that you are wonderful house.
hVCpVIs SHt SSiiti. iiltilS lave W
Johns mother, eagerly.
Johns mother smiled: she was a
trifie vain because the silver teapot
had never, except when in actual use,
left its appointed place. Valerie was
coming nearer Johns mother ac,
cepted her help.
Valerie did her best, but her heart
sank. "How- shall | ever endure il p
she wondered, when Johns mother
explained to her that the cotfee-urn al
so belonged in a particular place, that
the sugar bowl was not kept in the
ice chest and that soapy water made
cut glass dull. They spent a sober.
restrained morning. After luncheon
Valerie, almost on the point of tears.
took refuge in her room. ito write
letters" and Johns mother patiently
did again the things that Valerie had
assisted her in doing. Can l really
endure this-in my old age?" she
asked herself.
Valerie found that her letters re-
fused to be written. John would not
be home for at least three hours.
She cast about in her mind for some
cheering occupation. John had men,
toned that their wedding presents
had arrived; that the boxes contain
ing them were in the room at the end
of the hall. She decided to ask Johns
mother to help her arrange them.
She went downstairs, her gloom
somewhat lightened. II was so pleas.
ant to remember that the wedding