The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1911-09-07

droning voice. Arthur wanted me to
have this tray. He really paid a fab
ulous sum for it, far in excess of its
value"
He had money" Paterson said bit.
terly. yet here l am limiting you 70
o paltry fifteen dollars" He hesltat-
ed, then plunged in boldly. But
after all, of trays when if you
multiplicity of trays when # You
could only see it my way, VIC might
share our belongings for the rest of
our lives"
Don't" she begged. 81 am glad to
have your friendship, and it pleases me
that you should ask me to help you fur
nish your little apartment-but 1 can
not share i'll want to be free"
Darlington stood up 81 know" he
said. Your husband made you feel
that marriage was bondage, but it
would be different with me-"
oh" she smiled up at him brightly,
"let us just be friends, and III help
you pick out your old mahogany and
your brasses and your rugs, but you
mustn't expect anything more Of me-"
When Darlington went back that
night to his bachelor home he was de-
pressed with the futility of his efforts
to make it comfortable. On his re-
turn from the Philippines he had been
full of enthusiasm over his plans for
comfortable living. He had talked of
the superiority of masculine house
keeping, and had congratulated himself
upon the possession of a Japanese
servant who could be more 10
him than wife or housekeeper. Then
he had found that Rita Darlington was
free and Immediately the scene of the
glory Of his bachelor estate had de-
parted. All his life he had loved Rita,
but she had chosen Darlington. and
the rejected sutton had gone away to
find forgetfulness in a far country
He had discovered that he could hold
Rita's friendship best by means of
practical things. She would not talk
of romance, but she would talk of
rvgS and antiques and mahogany;
hence hee had commissioned her to
buy him many things. 1t gave him
the opportunity TO talk to her over the
telephone and to call on her frequent
ly. They had many things in common,
such as samovars, andirOns, candle
sticks and frescreehs.
II was AZ 10 o'clock the next morn
ing that Rita called him up about the
Sheffield tray.
Where do you think I have found
one she asked" Not at an auction
house this time but in an English
family. The janitor told me about it;
the woman won't sell il without her
husbands consent. He will be at
home tonight and l want to go there.
Will you so with me""
Patterson jumped at the chance. AT
Z o'clock sharp. Is that too early?"
1t seemed that the husband ate a
o'clock supper, and went to beed soon
after. The wife thought they had bet
ter come before sleep overcame him.
He's not anxious to sell it," Rita
stated" He may need little coaxing."|
They went on the trolley car. Pat
terson would have had taxicab, but
Rita protested. We want all of your
spare money for that Sheffield tray"
she told him. And you're not rich"
You needn't rub it in" Patterson
remarked.
she told him. "Arthur's money went,
you know; bad investments and all
that"
1T isn't any wonder, Rita, that after
the luxury of your life you don't want
OF come down to mylevel," Patterson
said.
She flashed a reproachful glance at
him.
you know it isn't that; I am afraid
afraid that our romance might end
as the other one did"
Then PattersOn's anger flared Why
should you judge me by him?' he de-
manded.
Amt all men alike?" she asked.
They found the young Englishman
at his very hearty supper.
Mrs. Darlington brought up the sub
ject of the tray somewhat timidly. 1--WE
heard you had one, and we are very
anxious to see it."
1T is an cid family piece" the
young man said. "Id never sell it,
but my wife thinks it is best"
The little rosy-cheeked woman came
to her own defense.
I'VE need the money" she said, be
cause we are buying a home, and it is
to be our home, and I'd rather have
that than all the trays in the world"
Her husband brought his fist down
heavily on the table, that's right" he
said heartily the girl and / need a
home, and we are going to have it,"
you See" the little wife explained
eagerly, I'VE found a little white house
in the suburbs, and had some money
saved up, and he had some money saved
up, and we made a payment, and in
the spring we are going to move into
it, and were going to have roses on
the porch and a garden with our own
vegetables. and maybe some day We'll
keep a cow"
you have never seen such a girl for
flowers" the young husband told them.
81 believe she could make them grow
in the desert"
The supper was almost forgotten as
the homely little couple told of their
plans and aspirations. Then, a little