Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1910-09-14
8 NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.?
THE PINK PEARL
By TEMPLE BAILEY


die her and wrap her up in cotton
wool because we love her. but she Is
a woman with all a woman's right 10
make a home Should We keep on
making a baby of herr"
But what. the mother demanded.
can we do?"
Let US try an experiment" Edwin
said. Let her think you have lost
your money. that we must all go
away from here to the old farm. and
will come back and forth on the
train-we will see how she stands
real life"
But she is such a baby"
she is a woman" Edwin insisted.
Now and then she lets me see . eep
into her heart. and know. but We
ns'er let her have a chance"
Angela's mother agreed. reluctant.
ly You tell her" she said at last.
Angela bore the shock brayeiy.
Poor mother" she said. lit will be
hard for YOU" and ct once she began
to treat the elder lady with tender.
ness which was surprising and com
forting.
1t was wonderful to see how she
took up her burdens. Work seemed
to agree with her. Instead of grow
ing faded and thin she waxed plump
and rosy She planted a garden and
watched with enthusiasm the growth
Of her lettuce and radishes ami on.
ions. She baked cakes and put up
pots of jam and served a delectable
fish chowder to Edwin when he came
home late on chilly nights.
Il didn't think she had 1t in her"
Angela's mother told her sonin-law as
late one autumn day they watched the
little wife baking pancakes in the
warm coy kitchen. She had on a red
house gown with blue linen apron
that almost covered her up Her curls
were gathered into a topknct with a
black bow and she was flushed and
smiling
Il sometimes think" Edwin muse.l
that she has just reverted to type.
You used to love to get supper for
her father. didn't you. when you were
poor and lived in this cottage?"
Indeed did" responded Angela's
mother. THAT recipe for chowder is
the one used. and he used to smack
his lips over It,"
And behind You is a race OF good
hor sekeepers, and yet YOU expected
Angela TO live like an idle princess
and as long as she felt she had your
money back of her she had no in.
centive-but now-you see"
Yes. | see" the mother agreed
Bot the climax came when. one day.
the pink pearl ring disappeared from
Angela's finger
Where's your ring?" Edwin de-
handed
oh" Angela blushed. "oh. II
don't think I can tell you just now.
Edwin.
But the secret was out when one
day she led him to her dressing
room. II had been refurnished in pale
pink and white swiss, and in ono cor.
ner there was a crib with rosebuds
embroidered on the cover. And in
| another corner was a very low white
rocking chair with a pink cushion.
Il shall call It my pink pearl
room'" Angela stated Il was Just
hateful to make you buy such an ex.
pensive thing for me, Edwin-perhaps
If | hadn't always demanded so much
for myself you wouldn't have to work
so hard now-for us"
Her husband folded her I'm HIS arms
Dearest, dear" he said. brokenly
Your mother didn't lose her mon
ey,' Edwin explained, but | wanted
you 90 come to your hearthstone her
itage as housewife. and you couldn't
when you were having things show
cred on you"
We'll, we won't go back to the
city" Angela decided with a chake OF
her curls: 1T is ever so much nicer
here-and | couldn't leave my garden
and my chicks-and besides" she hid
her face against his shoulder. the
country will be the best place to bring
up the baby in--wont It. Edwin"
In the months that followed Ange-
las mother had to have her way
about spending She bought every
ming from a silver porringer to a
golden rattle
But Edwin bought back the pink
pearl ring Il want you 10 wear IL
because It IS Ike you" he said to
Angela, ardently, "a thing all rosy and
sunshine. and OF perfect beauty"