The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1912-08-29


q long. deep sigh.
"Oh. honey little house,! sne
whispered.
Henry lit his pipe and settled nim'
self deep in his arm chair.
Right little. tight little. nest" he
answered, through clouds Of smoke.
and did not even pretend to be
ashamed of such foolishness.
"Oh. coy. 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.
Not afraid OF that?" asked Henry.
as of old.
She almost forgot what the an.
swer should be. but got It 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. I've been living here over
two months, with old Martha keep.
ins house for me. She's gone to her
sick daughter tonight. When the
trouble got SO bad'-he WINGED and
spoke with lowered voice. couldn't
stand it, Marcy. I bolted from the
club one night and came back home. +"
He leaned over and touched one Of
Pollys pink toes. Fine kiddie." he
said. very fine kiddie But where
did you get her. Margy?"
Margery flushed with pleasure. I'm
SO 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 the
mad to wear a uniform" She Rugged
Polly Marie close I'D been going
to see the little thing, and when the
troubl" got so bad"--her turn to
speak with lowered voice. couldn't
figh, il out alone. SO | went right
down and got Polly Marie for my
very own"
Tn glad declared Wade with
satisfaction. The little house had
always wanted 4 baby, Marcy"
Perhaps" she suggested, If we'd
had one il wouldn't have happened
rs II did" Then, for woman must
ever NEEDLE with the tree Of useless
knorleds" What made II happen,
Henry" Was it the stacks Of money
that hrou"ht on our d-"
Eui his hand was over her lips.
'iiush, Marcy Not one word of
that That happened back there in
the world. When you came through
the iron gate. under the honeysuckle
Rrbor, and raised the brass knocker
on the door YOU remember how we
searched the town for that knocker?
then You left the world behind
You mus IL yer say that word In
here. for Y would hurt the little
brown house You see, Marcy. the
little brown house is real home.
and the minute that word Is spoken
or even thought Of, within Its four
walls Il real home dies"
"How stupid of me-" she cried,
and to think | almost killed the lit.
tie house. ! mustn't say that word
even TO tell YOU how sorry -.
Henry. that ! was so foolish and vi.
forgiving?"
mo. my dear, not even to give me
the chance 10 tell you how ashamed
] am Of the wrong did you"
He drew bowl Of violets across
the table and held them toward her.
They'll make you forget, Marry.
They grow SO close to mother earth
that they know her sweet, Wise sc.
crets."
"Oh, wild, faint, woodsy smell!"
she cried and buried her face In the
flowers
Henry" she declared. looking up
a. him with sudden understanding,
you've been working In the gar.
den all day. Henry. you didn't--you
couldn't be SO cruel as to plant my
pet patch."
He nodded guiltily. How could
know this wonderful thing would
happen"
"Oh. you're the stupid one now"
she answered joyfully. For shame
% have SO little faith. Didn't you
know Id come home at lasto"
You're right he apologized, but
YOU see had 10 plant ever so hard
'oday. 10 take my mind off other
things Tomorrow III dig it up and
YOU can plant il all over again"
He made chain of the larges,
blossoms and PM it on her head.
drawing her hair about her face.
Madonna" he called her. my lady
Of the earth and man and all thinss
sorrowful and human" and stoop,ns
quickly he kissed her.
Narcery blushed like a SCHOOLGIRL
and sat up in a sudden. wideeyed re.
membrane. Henry. Henry, | must
20. can't stay here tonight. You
aren't my husband any longer. What
would people say"
.paonle' would no horr;fad p,,x