Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1913-05-10

ma ana tell uer what stories you MAKE
up" scolded Maria. "rcleg Morse is n
good man"
MA heard him too" said Lcandcr
stolidly.
"IIumph," shifted Maria incredu.
lousy
"She said she was scaudallzcd." add
ed l.eaudcr as he picked up the han
dies Of the whcelbarrow and departed
Maria pushed the chair through the
Kitchen and dining room and straight
to the placc She had prepared for It op
positc her own Windsor chair.
Standing Oh either side Of the wide
hearth thcy looked very comfortable
and inviting. and. together With the
shining amdrous ON the hearth. the
tall clock In the corner and Maria's
mahogany sewing stand. they were IN
harmony and satisfied NIaria's soul.
Later IN the morning she spied Lean
der rlatt strolling past and called him
within Into his hands she gave the
britannia teapot carefully wrapped IN
tissue paper
Take that TO Mr.. rclcg Morse" she
said "and then come hnck, and will
pay you for the Grand
Lcandcr hung back III amt no use
for me 10 20 down there" he protest
ed Mr. Morse. he went away this
morning"
Went away? Where did he So?"
"iIc went down To the city TO visit
his sister. Mrs. Penny saw him get
on the stage. and he told ma he was
going"
We'll never" declared Maria
brcathcSsly. and she hastily bestowed
donghnut on Lender and sent him
on his way
ia like 10 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 five years. and it's
queer he never said word To me
about II last night Maybe he'll send
me n postal card"
But pelcg Morse did not send Maria
n picture postal nor any other message
although she heard rather indirectly
from him through I.eanler Platt. who
had charge Of Pclcg's lock of chickens
during the dcaconS absence.
II guess he's having a good time,
said Icander one day. ''Ile wrote ma
he'd been 10 the moving picture show
fifteen times already
Good land" commented Maria I'm.
easily That's kind Of unbecoming IN
deacon"
"rll bet it's fun" retortcd Leandcr
enviously
So Maria had the Windsor chair. hut
she was deprived ~ Pelcs Morsc's
company on those festal evenings. for
ne remained in the city all winter
Marin had plenty Of time In which To
reflect upon her Scii>hness in dearlv
ine pcleg 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 10 he content with
what was left and what he could buy
II don't know" reflected Maria one
spring afternoon. hut somehow II
seems as II I'd rather see peleg Morse
sitting here In the old willow rocker
than To see that empty Windsor chair
over there" 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 raih.
er lost her grecdincss for old furniture.
and another was that she learned that
human companionship was more 10 her
than empty polished wood. and that
the society of peleg Morse was most
desirable Of all.
What ninny | was." snapped Ma
ria NJ her reflection in the mirror that
evening.
\ half hour later knock came upon
the side door. and when Maria threw II
open who should enter but Peles
Morse himself. looking very fresh and
rather dandiied as to clothes. for he
wore new gray suit with pink in
his lapel. and in his hand he carried
gray felt hat
We'll. Maria. II seems good to get
back again." he said after they had
exchanged few commonplace con
corning his return
"lndeedi" asked Maria tartly. Il en.
joyed those postal cards you sent. re.
leg
Peleg blushed uncomfortably. "You
know | didn't send any. Maria Weed
why didn't you:"
OIL guess was some put out
about that chair" hesitated Pclcg. ey-
Ing the Windsor chair unfavorably.
We'll. you can take II home-rm
tired and sick Of the thing-l hate it,
quavered Maria. dabbing her knitting
work into her eyes
$50. So breathed Peleg. astonished
Il thought you wanted the chair. Ma
rlar''
Il debut | thought maybe you'd
come and sit in II sometimes" retorted
Marla knitting furionsly.
Hum For n few seconds the room
was very still Then somehow relc-
Morse found courage 10 iiptoe over H.