The Paonia newspaper., 1911-02-17


should understand. She preferred
that he should come expecting to
fnd her and her husband. He would
be less prepared to be stin. The sight
of Penelope alone would appeal to bis
chivalry.
As a matter OF fact. however. when
he arrived and Penelope met him
Dapford was seized with sudden shy
ness. and instead Of unbeDding he
grew self-eonscious.
Penelope. on the other hand. un-
bent a little. She tried to play host
ess easily, but found It dificult Dan
ford simply looked at her and an
swered her in mouosyllables. Thus
they sat until, at ten. there was a lit
tie cry from the floor above
TT is Dottie." Penelope said breath
Iessly. and ran up the stairs
Dottie's mother had provided ana
had hoped for the climax that would
come with Penelope getting the drink
of water with her brooding tender
ness and its effect on Danford. but
she had not dreamed that Penelope
would fnd a feverish. whimperinE
baby who was not quieted by the
drink of water. but who moaned In
pain.
"Oh, I'm afraid she's H." Penelope
said. and bending over Dotue TOOK
her In her arms. Il wonder what We
should dor
The next half hour WAS tho night
of inexperience Neither Penelope nor
Danford knew anything about such
simple emergencies. and at last Dan
ford telephone for the doctor. He
came back TO ind Penelope walking
the floor with the baby held close. her
cool cheek against the lot one OF the
child.
"oh. the darling. dear" she said. Il
wish I could help her"
Danford looked at her as she stood
there with the child Graded In her
arms She was no longer the Ice
maiden: she was the embodiment OF
sweetness and OF tenderness.
The doctor came at lskt.and with
him hope. That which had seemed to
them SO tragic was TO him but an In
cident.
She'll be all right presently" he
said. Such attacks are short but
sharp"
An hour Inter the baby was sleep
ing comfortably. and then Roy said
to Penelope. Let's 20 down and have
cup of coffee. I saw that Mrs.
Stanford had left things ready when
l was down In the kitchen heating wa
ter for the baby. You need bracing
up"
With n last look at the baby. Pencil
ope went with him, and In the kitch-
en- and again In the dining room.
swathed in big blue apron. she
seemed the spirit OF domesticity.
when he had seen her nj dances and
at dinners. radiant and beautiful.
Danford had not dreamed that she
could do the little things. tho house
wifeiy things at which she was nov
proving herself an expert
They had their little feast together
he at one end OF the table and she
at the other.
And ! used to call you the ice
maiden" he murmured.
, She flashed n glance across at him
why did you call me that1"
because you were so cold"
He rose and stood beside her. DO
you remember the fairy story vc
used to read together when We were
children? do not remember all OF
II. but there was a cruel. cold creature
In IT, and ! always shivered when
read It. You have made mo feel like
that until tonight. I've never dared
approach you. although I've loved
you"
IF you had said that long ago" her
voice was low. Il would not have
seemed cold. II was you who had
changed from the boy I used to
know. and ] thought that you had
changed toward me-"
| He drew his chair around the u
BILE and sat down beside her Il don't
want even the light Of the candle bs-
tween us. I don't want your face to
change back to coldness. a. I am half
afraid It will"
Never again. for you." she said,
but AZ he bent toward her there was
a sound OF an auto horn outside,
steps on the icy pavement. and key
In tho door.
Mrs. Stanford. entering, took in
the situation radiantly.
How nice and warm Il H." she
said. and smiled knowingly at Dan
ford
He came over and took her hands
| In hfa tha H.