Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1913-05-23

"Humphr shifted Maria incredu-
lousy
"She said she was scandalized," add
ed Lednder as he picked up the han
dies of the wheelbarrow and departed.
Maria pushed the chair through the
kitchen and dining room and straight
to the place she had prepared for 1t op-
posite her own Windsor chair.
Standing on either side of the wide
hearth, they looked very comfortable
and inviting, and, together with the
shining andirons on the hearth, the
tall clock In the corner and Maria's
mahogany sewing stand, they were in
harmony and satisfied Maria's soul.
Later in the morning she spied Lean
der Plat strolling past and called him
within. Into his hands she gave the
britannia teapot carefully wrapped In
tissue paper.
"Take that to Mr.. Peleg Morse" she
said, land then come back, and l will
pay you for the Grand
Leander hung back. ut amt no use
for me to go down there" he protest
ed. "Nfr. Morse, he went away this
morningr'
event away2 Where did he go2"
"He went down to the city to visit
his sister, Mrs. Penny. l saw him get
on the stage, and he told ma he was
going"
"Well, neverr" declared Maria
breathlessy, and she hastily bestowed
doughnut on Leander and sent him
on his way.
"Td like to know what he means by
that" puzzled Maria as she carefully
set the teapot away in the parlor cup
board. ITS the first time he's been
away from home In i've years. and it's
queer he never said a word to me
about It last night. Maybe he'll send
me postal card"
But Peleg Morse did not send Maria
picture postal nor any other message,
although she heard rather indirectly
from him through Leander Plat, who
had charge of Peleg's flock of chickens
during the deacon's absence.
81 guess he's having a good Time"
said Leander one day. "IIe wrote ma
he'd been to the moving picture show
fifteen times already"
Good landp commented Maria I'M
easily That's kind of unbecoming in
n deacon"
an bet it's fun" retorted Leander
enviously.
SO Maria had the Windsor chair, but
she was deprived of Peleg Morse's
company on those festal evenings, for
he remained I'm the city all winter.
Maria had plenty of time In which TO
reflect upon her selllshness In deprly
ing Peleg of the ancient chair which
was the pride OF his scanty collection,
for his sister Sarah had had her choice
OF furniture when she married and the
elderly bachelor had to be content with
what was left and what he could buy.
81 don't know" reflected Marin one
spring afternoon, but somehow II
seems as If I'd rather see Peleg Morse
sitting here I'm the old willow rocker
than TO sec that empty Windsor chair
over therer' And that was n strnnge
declaration for Maria Weed TO make.
But she was subdued In many ways,
and one of the ways was that she rnth.
er lost her greedIness for old furniture.
and another was that she learned that
human companlonship was more TO her
than empty polished wood, and that
the society of Peleg Morse WINS most
desirable of all.
"What ninny l WASH snapped Mn
ria at her reflection In the mirror that
evening
A half hour later knock came upon
the side door, and when Maria threw II
open who should enter but Peleg
Morse himself, looking very fresh and
rather dandIfled as to clothes. for he
wore a new gray suit with pink IN
his lapel, and In his hand he carried n
gray felt hat.
well, Maria, II seems good to get
back again." he said after they had
exchanged n few commonplace con
corning his return.
"IndeedT asked Maria tartly. II en-
Joyed those postal cards you sent, Pc
legp
Peleg blushed uncomfortably. "YOu
know didn't send any. Marin Weed"
why didn't you"
"Oh-I guess | was some put out
about that chair" hesitated Peleg. ey
ing the Windsor chair unfavorably
well, you can take II home--Fm
tired and sick of the thing-I hate ltl''
quavered Maria, dabbing her knitting
work into her eyes.
80, soW breathed Peleg, astonished
IL thought you wanted the chair, Ma.
riaT
II debut | thought maybe you'd
come and sit In II sometimes" retorted
Marin, knitting furlously.
Hun" For few seconds the room
was very still. Then somehow Peleg
Morse found courage to tiptoe over to
Maria and place tlmid hand dnder
her round chin see here, Maria.' he
said nwkwardly. Fl been staying way
on purpose. was mad about that |
chair. ] knew you wanted It, and
had II slowed away because ! wanted |
to give 1t to you for a wedding present |
provided you'd marry me. But, concern |
It all, ! couldn't get my dnnder up 10 |
nsk you to have me, and declare n |
you didn't nag II out Of me before !
could propose to you. Honest, that's
the truth! Now, what would you have
said II had asked you to marry meT
II might have snid yes" said Marin
happily, "only you went or and left me
and didn't say word"
"Well, ! guess ! must have gone TO
pick out good place 10 spend honey.
MOON" explained Peleg glibly. "and
I've got II. too Mnrlal Wen go to
Now York and go TO the moving picture
show every night IN the week. What