Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1913-08-01

ma and tell her what stories you make
up" scolded Marin. "Peleg Morse Is a
good man."
ma heard him too" said Leander
stolidly.
"Humphr snired Maria incredu.
lously.
"she said she was scandalised." add.
ed Leander as he picked up the han
dies OF the wheelbnrrow and departed
Maria pushed the chair through the
kitchen and dining room and straight
TO the place she had prepared for II 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, "and then come back, and / will
pay you for the Grand"
Leander hung bnck. "It amt no use
for me to go down there" he protest
ed. mfr. Morse, he went away this
m~Orningi'
"went away7 Where did he go7"
"He went down TO the city TO visit
his sister, Mrs. Penny. saw him get
on the stage. and he told ma he was
going"
"Well, 7 never" declared Maria
breathlessly, and she hastily bestowed
a doughnut on Leander and sent him
OF his way.
IT'D like to know what he means by
that" puzzled Maria rs she carefully
set the teapot away in the parIor cup
board. "It's the first time he's been
away from home In Ave years. and it's
queer he never said a word to me
about 1t last night Maybe he'll send
me a postal card"
But Peleg Morse did not send Maria
a 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 descon's absence.
II guess hos having a good time"
said Lennder one day. HE wrote ma
he'd been TO the moving picture show
fifteen times already"
"Good iand!" commented Maria un-
easily. That's kind of ~unbecoming In
a deacon"
"rn bet it's fun" retorted IeRnder
enviously.
So Maria had the Windsor chair, but
she was deprived of Peleg Morse's
company on those festal evenings, for
he remained in the city all winter.
Maria had plenty Of time in which to
reflect upon her selnshness in depriv-
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 Maria one
spring afternoon, but somehow It
seems as II I'd rather see Peleg Morse
sitting here in the old Willow rocker
than to see that empty Windsor chair
over therei'' And that was n strange
declaration for Maria Weed to make. !
But she was subdued in many ways,
and one Of the ways was that she rath-
err lost her ~greediness for old furniture,
and another was that she learned that
human companionship was more to her
than empty polished wood, and that
the society of Peleg Morse was most
desirable Of all.
"what a ninny l wasl" snapped Ma.
ria at her reflection in the mirror that
evening.
A half hour later a knock came upon
the side door, and when Maria threw II
open who should enter but Peleg
Morse himself, looking very fresh and
wore a new gray suit with a pink In
his lapel, and in his hand he carried n
gray felt hat
well. Maria, It seems good to get
back again." he said after they had
exchanged a few ~commonplaces con
corning his return.
"IndeedT' asked Maria tartly. IL en-,
joyed those postal cards you sent, Pc
legi"
Peleg blushed uncomfortably. you
know | didn't send any. Maria Weed"
'Why didn't your"
"Oh-I guess I was some put out
about that chair" hesitated Peleg, ey
ing the Windsor chair unfavorably.
well. you can take It home-I'm
tired and sick Of the thing-I hate I'll"
q~uavered Marin, dabblng her knitting
work into her eyes.
$50, SOP breathed Peleg. ~astOnished
"T thought you wanted the chair. Ma.
r4aT'
II dld--but 1 thought maybe you'd
come and SIT In It sometimes" retorted
Maria. knitting ~furiously.
HUM For a few seconds the room
was very still. Then somehow Peleg
Morse found courage to tiptoe Over 70
Maria and place a timid hand under
her round chin. "See here, Maria" he
said awkwardly. Il beer staying away