The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1912-07-18
When Marcia
Came Home
Copyright. 1872. by Associated Literary
HPrtas)
Don't tell moeher," Mar

ment. You're not-going back" she
gasped.
I'm tired of it all, and I've told
Phil"
How could your" her sister de-
manded. "He loves you, Marcia"
"Oh, know 1t, but love isn't every
thing, Connie. thought 80 when
married Phil, and went up there In
the lumber regions and tried to live
his life And you know I've tried to
be happy, but I'm not used to that
sort of thing. And as for baby-you
know how | want her to have every.
thing that life can give her. and she
cannot up there"
But how could you tell Phili
What did he say?"
"He-he didn't say much. He Just
looked at me in a puzzled way"
oh" Constance cried, how can
you do such thing. Marcia?"
Because" Marcia painted, because
I know what life up there means
You don't. OF course, Phil Is law.
yer, but his clients are all the men
who work in the forests, and the
women-why they are the wives OF
those men-and there isn't anything
to do, and won't go back-so don't
ask me, Connie-don't ask me-"
For two months Marcia lived in a
whirl. Her mother, joyous at having
possession for little while of her
youngest girl, loaded her with gifts,
pnd Marcia oproorod OF oordap nor
ties and tennis events, and golf tour.
naments, robed exquisitely In rose
color or in white.
She dressed Baby Margaret like
doll and took her with her. To
gether they were petted and praised
And If were up there with Phil"
Marcia said % Connie, Il should have
spent this summer listening to the
frogs croak and the chickens sing"
"You would have shared Pills
hopes and SORROWS" said Connie.
"Oh, Marcia, isn't he lonely?"
He doesn't say So" said Marcia,
evastvely.
Two weeks later Phil came down
to fetch his wife.
you are coming home with me
Marcia" he said.
"Why?" she looked at him in sur
prise. ~ thought you knew wasn't
coming any more?"
That Is what you said, and ]
thought I might let you have your
way. But-I'm not going to let you
take your life in your hands.
promised to love and protect you
My duty to my child places upon me
the same obligation to love and pro-
tect her-I haven't any right as a
husband and father to let you stay
here"
That night Marcia talked 1t over
with Connie do you think | ought
to go back?"
'If a man loved me-" said Connie,
"as Phil loves you, would 60 with
him to the end of the world"
That's what l thought" said Mar
cia, bitterly, when l married Phil.
but romance doesn't survive long
when you are up against the hard
things of life"
Philip AIMEE took with him an I'M
willing wife. The trip on the train
was q silent one. Only little Mar
garet prattled of the return. Are
the pussies and the chickens expect
ing me?" she asked her father.
yes, and the pine trees have lots
of things to whisper IN your ears.
Don't you know when the sun is set
ting how ttey whisper, whisper, and
sing lullaby songs?"
Yes" eaid little Margaret. and
that's the time when you always tell
mother how much yea love her"
Marcia, lgtening, felt her heart
leap. That had been one of Pills
little ceremonies in their temple Of
love. A. sunset he would take her il
his ar@s and ray, Another day is
ours, dear heart"
When Lad la stopped? Sic re-
memIcred with shock tat it VS.
she Who had runs tie knel to ro-
nance. It was she who had been i'm
patient OF his caresses. 1t Was size
who had, one night, interrupted his
sunset litany to say, Another day OF
toll and trouble-another day-of
loneliness"
After that he had not kissed her at
sunset. After that he had withdrawn
a little. After that he had worked
harder and more doggedly. Suddenly
the reason of his ineessant laboring
dawned upon her. Did he think she
wanted an easy life more than she
wanted romance. and so he had en-
deayored to give 1t to her?
Their horses were waiting for them
at the Aation. They drove through
the long aisle OF the forest.
The pussies were at the door to
meet Margaret The man drove away
with the horses, the maid who had
greeted them turned and went into
the house to serve the evening meal
Philip looked at his wife. you
are home again. Marcia" he said.
simply. VIII you try TO believe It
is for the best, and not blame me
too much?"
Suddenly she raised her face TO his.
THE sun is setting" she said, tremu-
lousy, kiss me, Phil, and forgive me.
didn't know; didn't know"
He took her In his arms and bent
his face to hers, and she heard his
whisper Of fierce rapture, Another
day IL ours-another day Of love,
dear Leart."