Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1917-07-19
Two WOMEN And PETER
BY DOROTHY DOUGLAS.

Peter Morrow tossed his sisters let
ter irritably on the table.
ITS bit of bore-sister expect.
Ing US TO have this chum of hers down
to recHperate. Some anemic society
moth who'll turn up her whitewashed
nose at us and our country ways. Mel
lie VIII kick up a row, too, l sup
pose"
Nellie was Peters betrothed and
lived on the next farm.
my dear Peter" his mother remon-
strated gently, 1--WE may be all wrong
about Miss Pattlson. Bertha is not the
kind to make friends of snob. l
would feel badly to think l had re-
fused to have the girl down to restore
her health"
Peters gloomy eyes turned suddenly
affectionate.
you're right, little mother" he
said; "you make me ashamed of N.Y.
self. Wen have Miss Pattison down
for q few weeks. You love to make
Long Island roses grow in pale cheeks
with your milk and eggs"
Mrs. Morrow sent a kindly invita-
ton to Lydia Jane Pattison via her
daughter On the day Of the girls
arrival Peter drove to the station to
meet her The train had pulled IL
when he drew rein.
This is really good of you, Mr.. Nor
row." said soft voice at his elbow,
She had recognized the bronze giant
from Bertha's description.
He turned 10 meet the pale, smiling
face Of Lydia Pattison. 1t was not
pretty face, but it was distinguished
and earnest. He led the way toward
the trap. It was not until she stood
quietly beside him and smiled up into
his face that Peter realized she want
ed assistance.
MY stiff knee" she said depre-
catingly, 'makcs lots of trouble for
other folks. I am not very agile"
I'm so sorry" Peter said with
quick emotion. 81 had not observed
your lameness." He lifted her bod
lily into the trap and tucked her com
fortably in. "Not nervous about drlv-
ing, are YOU? This animal is q bit
frisSy for want of work"
mo, I am not a bit nervous" she
answered, I've been through so many
big dangers and seen so much heart
rendiug agony that a boiling horse and
n few broken bones would seem mere
bagatelle."
zone would almost think you had
been on the firing line" Peter said.
81 have" she replied terscly.
"Youw Peter jerked about.
"Just returned ter lays ago.
volunteered in one bf the reliet ships
that went to Belgium. I've been @"n-
stantly about the trenches and hos
pitfalls until my health gave out. I've
come home for q rest"
"But-your injury--lameness. Did it
not happen there?"
ooh, dear no." Lydia smiled. 'Tve
had my affection since childhood, My
dear father spent thousands trying to
cure me, but I'm intended to go through
life manned. It's the law Of compen-
sation. l have had everything l want
in life, being an only child, except
physical perfection. However" she
went on softly, 81 feel thrice blessed
since seeing the tortured bodies and
devastated homes that it has been my
lot to see"
Two weeks Mt Shady Grove farm, I'M
der its strenuous and inspiring infiu-
ence of Lydia Jane Pattison, worked
wonderful change. Also Ii had
brought about change in Nellie
Baker.
81 wish Lydia Jane Pattlson had
stayed where she belonged" she said
TO Peter. "She's done nothing but up
set our peace and comfort. Advanced
theories are all nonsense. We were
all quite contented with our own mode
If existence"
"Thct's Just 1t. We've simply ex-
listed. I'm nothing but a great, PAM
pered, Sinking brute! I've never lift
ed my hand to help fellow creature.
I wanted to punch my own head
through the mirror this morning."
Nellie stared oQen-eyed at the dis
play of energy in her erstwhile phleg-
matte lover.
"If you mention that woman's name
again to me Ill--Tll scream! It's Miss
Pattison this and Miss Pattison that.
I'm sick of her very fame"
Nellie nounced up, flung Peters love-
" ring on the floor and with flaming
cheeks turned on her heel and left the
astonlshed Peter gazing after her.
"Talk about feline claws" he NUT
tered, and left the ring where 1t had
fallen.
He sat for quite ten minutes think
ing very hard. II vas not so much
of Nellie he was thinking as Of his
mother ana one other woman. 1t was
the other woman who stepped softly
over the threshold while Peter was
stili thinking.
"Mr. Morrow" she said, while the
ever-ready smile struggled for its ac-
customed place on her lips. II have
told your dear mother that my rest
is over and am going back to the fir
ing line I want to leave tonight
at five-if you viii drive me TO the
station. VIII you-mindP