The Kenna record. (Kenna, Roosevelt County, N.M.) 190?-1924, 1912-08-02

Margery leaned out and called de-
family, Rain away, rain away, we're
safe in our little brown house"
From room to room she went and
the house was full OF memories
nice, domesticated memories-that
hovered about the linen closet and
purred from the kettle on the stove.
The tiny bedrooms, dining room.
sitting room and best-or worst
Of all, Henry's den. At that door
she stopped; 1t would be so dark in
there, for the heavy panels needed a
CHEEKY fire to light them up. With
something like sob, she threw open
the door and caught her breath with
sheer Joy. A bright fire cracked on
the hearth and the reading lamp
brought out warm lights from the
brasses in the room, and in front of
the fire, with his head buried in his
hands, sat Henry.
But OF course Henry should be in
his den. 1t was the most natural
thing in the world. So. Please" she
begged, may we come In? We're
dreadfully cold"
Are you real, Marcy" asked Henry,
peering at her across the circle Of
light. Fhen wonderingly, Come in.
whether you're real or not-out OF
the darkness, out of the storm"
She stumbled across the floor with
her burden and, dropping down in a
huge wicker chair before the FIRE.
began unpeeling the sleeping Polly
Marie. ut isn't a bag Of chocolate
eclairs. nor a poodle" she assured
him proudly, "it's a baby"
Polly Marie emerged like fat bios
som. and Margery stripped of the
damp stockings and held the tiny
pink toes to the fire. Then she snug
gled deep into her chair, cuddled
Polly against her heart. and sighed
long. deep sigh.
"oh, honey little housed" she
whispered.
Henry lit his pipe and aettled Eim-
self deep in his arm Shair.
Right little, tight little, nest" he
answered, through clouds Of smoke,
and did not even pretend to be
ashamed OF such foolishness.
"oh, cozy, cunning home." cried
Margery, with great content.
They sat for some time in silence
while outside the storm roared and
whistled through the trees. A vivid
flash Of lightning tore the darkness
and Marcy jumped and sQuealed.
mot afraid Of that?" asked Henry,
as OF old.
She almost forgot what the an
swer should be, but got 1t out before
the pause was noticeable. mot when
you are here" she answered. "But
Henry, what are you doing here? l
thought you had rooms at the club"
Which shows how much you knew
about me, or cared" he answered
gloomily. 1--WE been living here over
two months, with old Martha keep
ing house for me. She's gone to her
sick daughter tonight. When the
trouble got so bad"-he WINGED and
spoke with lowered voice-"T couldn't
stand 1t, Marcy. bolted from the
club one night and came back home. I"
He leaned over and touched one OF
Polly's pink toes. Fine kiddie," he
said, very fine kiddie. But where
did you get her, Margy%
Margery flushed with pleasure. I'm
80 glad you like her. It's Mary Halls
baby. You remember poor Mary, that
went to school with me? Her hus-
band left her nothing, you know, and
when she died the baby was put in
an asylum, horrid place where she
had to wear a uniform" She hugged
Polly Marie close. "Id been going
to see the little thing. and when the
trouble got so bad"-her turn to
speak with lowered voice-"I couldn't
fight 1t out alone. So went right
down and got Polly Marie for my
very own"
"I'm glad" declared Wade with
satisfaction. 1.-THE little house had
always wanted baby, Marcy"
Perhaps" she suggested. III we'd
had one 1t wouldn't have happened
as 1t did" Then, for woman must
ever meddle with the tree of useless
knowledge. What made it happen.
Henry3 Was 1t the stacks of money
that brought on our d."
But his hand was over her lips.
flush, Margyl Not one word Of
! that That happened back there in
4 rr..s 80. d. -, -. ~, h,