The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1913-02-27

By MARTHA M'CUILOcH-WiI
llAMS.

hands discolOred but stitching deity
at something-somethin that reused
him to anger. He flung his book halt
way across the desk in front of him.
got up laggardly, and said, balancing
himself with both hands upon the
desk-top:
Patches are premeditated pow
erty. You know that-yet you do
worse than patch. Is this the third or
fourth time you've made over that
hat?, I'm sick of seeing it-of seeing
you messing with it. A new one
much better looking. would cost only
couple of dollars-I believe you in.
sist upon trimming such things your
self
Correct! Every way" Jean an
swered impassively. Il am not in love
with my hat-making-nor even with
my own way of trimming Maybe !
might be If"
IF what?" Wingfeid asked almost
savagely.ss she paused.
She smiled at him-rather a hard
smile but wistful. Il was about to
say if could buy the things like
rather than the things / can afford"
she. said.
You mean those poodle-dog feath.
ers that fly In the face of eyerybody?"
Wingfield queried.
She shook her head. saying. "No-
praise be. Willow plumes don't tempt
me in the least But l would like
say for this summer real fine straw
the seven-dollar sort, as pliable as
cloth almost and very rich broad pale
purple velvet for bow and trail Of
orchids. say just the thing yester.
day-for seventeen dollars-and a
Paris tip. inside the crown-to make
believe IT came from there"
go get it," Wingfield ordered, pull.
ing roll of bills from his pocket and
tossing them to her.
She did not touch the money She
looked at him steadily, smiling still
that old smile. 81 have never yet put
the rent into finery," she said, drop
ping her eyes,
Wingfield scowled. II am begin.
ming to believe it might better for us
II you did," he said You're not bit
bad-looking-but nobody wants a
dowdy anywhere. That's how you're
left out of things. have to got is
part Of the game to be seen right
and things are slow enough as it is.'
81 have not complained" Jean said
calmly 'It is not y-exhilarating
eating bread and cheese in the kitch'
en- alone, when you are with your
friends. Still, somehow l would rath.
er stick to the bread and cheese. They
do not bore me-not anything like the
gang which haunts those table d'hOte
places"
Jean has risen, hat in hand. She
turned to the mirror and set it upon
her head, speculation in her eyes, a
stronger frown underneath the brim.
1T looks like last years bird
nest" she commented, tossing 1t to
the ceiling and catching it askew'
Nobody would believe l was once a
fielder, though a substitute" she said
with a faint twinkle. do you re.
member the game Tim? Out in the
back lott was just thirteen and
gawky as a young calf-but / could
run-and had the only pair Of real
legs left available"
81 remember-well.' Tim nodded
"That was a game sure. Accident
was epidemic-ten Of our noble team
canned with sprained legs. arms
shoulders not. But not a one
could have caught the fly you did-it
saved the game for us. That reminds
mel met Treptow last week-and al
most the first thing he said was:
Where is that sister Of yours? The
girl of the fiy""
"You didn't tell him-of course
Jean said quietly.
Wingfield looked down. "You know
l can't tell people" he said almost
fretfully, IF they knew I've kept
house they'd expect-O! hang it!
You know why"
Perfectly" Jean said. "You are
ashamed to seem poor--you'd mind
that worse, much worse, than being
poor. You like to be liberal-mind-
l don't say extravagant. Since you
earn most of the money, you have
right to spend it as you choose.
have never complained-I never shall
But this I ask-if Billy Treptow
comes in your way again-ask him
here to dinner"
"Ask him! When he has all the rich
folk running after him! Don't you
know that?" Wingfeld demanded.
Jean nodded, but persisted. ASK
him. 1 know he'll come-if you tell
him I am to be cook"
Somehow Wingfield did ask Billy.
In fact, he could not very we'll escape
1t, because Billy developed suddenly a
turn of inquiry that quickly brought
out the facts. Jean was in the city
keeping house for her brother-Billy
straightway demanded the address.
Wingfieid went home laggardly. 1t
was late when he got there-too late
for anything but a hurried change OF
costume 1t took him all aback to find
the living room deserted, the dining
room, a tiny place, likewise empty
except for massed roses. He won.
dered if, after all, Billy Treptow was
not coming. 1t was five minutes past
the hour. Suddenly from the kitchen
he heard voices and laughter.
D,,oy,;pn into tho door-thora yyoq