Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1909-07-03

movement from cupboard to refrigera-
tor and to the stove.
"Why." she said involuntarily, you
act as II you like doing. this. Carrie
Peabody
Carrie paused on her way to the
table. II don't mind" she said. tits
only a means to an end. He wants
you to take him. Betty"
| Mrs. Simms looked into the face of
small Anthony clutching her gown
and. lifting him up, was surprised to
have him cuddle down contentedly as
one used to being held and made much
Of.
Sub, the woolly dog. followed, and
many emotions chased themselves
through the head of Mrs. Simms. To
her credit, not once did she think of
the possible wrinkling and spelling Of
her gown. When before In her life
had her arms been full Of woolly dog
and little boy? 1t was new sensation.
None of her friends seemed as init
mately acquainted with their own chill
dren as Carrie was with hers. Never
before ut luncheon had Mrs. Slmms so
much as seen a child, let alone touch
cd one. Yet somehow Anthony did
not seem out of place here nor In the
way He seemed part OF the house
hold and to take his place naturally.
1t was n very simple luncheon
though a dainty one. and 1t tasted
amazingly good TO the visitor who
was rather silent. She was trying to
reconcile the cheerful face OF Carrie
Peabody with the account Carrie was
giving of her life.
1T has been hard on Tom" she was
saying. 1.-THE company he was with
when we married failed, and that end
cd putting his invention through. And
when he did get another place typhoid
took him. you know. and 1t was
months-well we got through some
how. had n few hundreds OF my
own saved for some emergency, and
concluded the emergency had arrived.
And things have kept coming up
Toms brothers trouble and then this
been, as / wrote you. Betty, poor-very
poor"
But" said the woman, listening
struggling to adjust the facts before
her-"but you seem so happy, Carrie"
There was n hint of envy in her tone.
"Why shouldn't be-" asked the
woman In the blue wash gown. An
thony on her knee. "Some time II
will be better. when Tom gets a firm
hold on things. And | have him and
Anthony, and we all care truly about
each other, and because we aren't rich
enough to go outside 10 find distraction
and amusement we've learned to de
pend on each other. and we're very
contented doing 1t. Betty. We're very
happy IN this little cheap fiat. Why
suppose we're just as happy as you
and Lewis. with all your money and
what II brings into your lives"
Across the face OF the listening wom-
an there was faraway expression
that was tinged with little bitter
ness. 1t was as II she were looking
into her past and seeing many things.
Carrie" she spoke suddenly, envi-
ously, I'D give all 1t has brought me
and ever bids fair to bring me for
one minute of the perfect companion
ship poverty has brought you and
Tom And for Anthony-yes. and for
the woody dog that loves you all"
I'm sorry about the stairs" Carrie
told her guest as she watched her de.
part a little later to the putting auto
mobile below.
"Oh," said Betty. 81 never thought
or them. lin thinking about SOME
thing else. Stairs really don't matter
much. after ALL"
And the curve of the descent swal-
lowed mp the bird OF paradise as Mrs
Lewis Adelbert Simms went back
with n strange reluctance TO the world
| OF elevators and unlimited credit.