The herald., 1917-04-26
4 wOuY WaYShiDs Talk Am !
TWO WOMEN And PETER
BY DOROTHY DOUGLAS.

I
to reCuperate. Some anemic society
moth who'll turn up her whitewashcG
nose AT US and our country ways. Net
lie will kick up row, too, | sup
pose"
Nellie was Peters bctrothcd and
lived on the next farm.
My dear Peter" his mother remon,
strated gently, I'VE may be all wrong
about Miss Pattison. Bertha is not the
kind to make friends of Snob.
would feed badly 10 think l had rc-
fused to have the girl down TO restore
her health"
Peters gloomy eyes turned suddenly
afIcctionate.
you're right, little mother" he
said; 'you make me ashamed of my
self. Wen have Miss Pattison down
for Il few weeks. You love to make
Long Island roses grow in pale checks
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 in
when he drew rein.
This is really good Of you, Mr.. Nor
/ row." said Il soft voice at his elbow,
/ She had recognized the bronze giant
| from BcrthaS description.
| He turned II meet the pale. smiling
| face of Lydia PattiSon. II 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 deprc-
catingly, makes lots Of trouble for
other folks. l am not very agile"
I'm so sorry" Peter said with
quick emotion. 81 had not observed
your lameness." He lifted her bod
ly into the trap and tucked her COM
tortably In. mot nervous about driv-
nc, are you? This animal is a bit
frisky for want of work."
mo, l am not bit nervous" she
answered. "Tve been through so many
big dangers and seen so much heart
rending agony that boiling horse and
few broken bones would seem mere
bagatelle."
zone would almost think you had
been on the firing line" Peter said.
81 have she replied tersely.
"YOu" Peter jerkcd about.
"Just returned ten days ago.
volunteered in one of the relief ships
that went to Belgium. I've been con-
Stantly about the trenches and hos
pitals until my health gave out. I've
come home for rest"
''But-yOur injury-lameness. Did 1t
not happen there?"
"Oh, dear no." Lydia smiled. ave
had my affection since childhood. Ny
lear father spent thousands trying to
,ure me, but I'm intended to 60 through
life manned. It's the law of cOmpen-
sation. I have had everything l want
n life, being an only child, except
physical perfection. However" she
went on softly. II feel thrice blessed
since seeing the tortured bodies and
devastated homes that 1t has been my
Ot TO see"
Two weeks at Shady Grove farm, I'M
Ter its strenuous and inspiring intlu- |
ance of Lydia Jane Pattison, worked |
L wonderful change. Also it had |
brought about change in Nellie
Baker.
Il wish Lydia Jane Pattison had |
stayed where she belonged, :" she said
% Peter. "She's done nothing but up-
set our peace and comfort. Advanced
theories are all nonsense. We were
Ill quite cOntented with our own mode
If eXiStencev'
That's just it. We've simply ex-
.sted. I'm nothing but great, PAM
lered, Sinking brute! I've never lift
ad my hand to help fellow creature.
wanted to punch my own head
through the mirror this morning."
Nellie stared open-eyed at the dis
play of energy in her erstwhile phleg-
matte lover.
eff You mention that woman's name
again to me Tll-I'll scream! It's Miss
PattisOn this and Miss Pattison that.
I'm sick of her very name"
Nellie flOunced up, flung Peters love-
Y ring on the floor and with flaming
'heeks turned on her heel and left the
lstOnished Peter gazing after her.
Talk about feline claws" he NUT
cred, and left the ring where it had
allen.
He sat for quite ten minutes think
ng very hard. 1t was not so much
# Nellie he was thinking as Of his
mother and one other woman. It was
he other woman who stepped softly
ver the threshold while Peter was
till thinking.
Mr.. Morrow" she said, while the
ver-ready smile struggled for its ac-
ustomed place On her lips. 81 have
old your dear mother that my rest
over and l am going back to the fir
ng line. l want to leave tonight
t five-if you will drive me to the
tation. VIII you-mind?"
Peter looked up slowly. Lydia's
yes turned swiftly away, but Pc
er saw the queer little lines about her
louth.