The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-03-31
EVENING STORY
Two Women and Peter.

/ Its a bit of a bore-sister ex-
pecting US to have this chum of hers
down to recuperate. Some anemic So
ciety moth who'll turn up her white
washed nose at us and our country
ways. I'm not very strong for hav-
| ing her down." Peter grumbled.
| Bertha should be here herself Nell
lie will kick up a row, too, sup
pose.''
lived on the next farm.
MY Dear Peter his mother re-
monstrate gently, I'VE may be all
wrong about Miss Pattison Bertna
is not the kind to make friends OF q
snob. / would feel badly to think L
had refused to have the girl down to
restore her to health. was thinking
only this morning as l lay IN my
| comfortable bed how selfish and self
centered we have become. we nVe
| only for ourselves and never bulge
| to make it pleasant for others It's
hardly human. especially just now
when the world is in the throes OF
life-and-death struggle and every IN
dividual except ourselves is doing a
small share in the great crisis:
Peters gloomy eyes turned sud-
denly affectionate.
| you make me ashamed OF myself
Well have Miss Pattison down for a
few weeks. You love to make Long
Island roses grow IN pale CHee>S Will
your milk and eggs.
Mus Morrow paused in her re-read-
ing of Bertha's letter to smile lovingly
at her big son. Bertha hasn't SAID
much about the girl, except that she
met her in connection with the Wom-
ans federation movement
isis should have been the man OF
our family. She's progressive ana
venturesome; but them" he added.
''she has no physical defect to make
her feel like a bally TOOL Wnen talking
to strangers
| my dear boy" Mrs. Morrow put
her arm across his shoulders, you do
so exaggerate that slight impeachment
of speech you have. It's only wnen
you get excited or nervous that 1t IS
noticeable. If you mingled more with
strangers you would fling it off entire
ly.''
Peter sighed, ooh. Sis will have to
do the society for the family Nellie
is not keen on mixing much, anyway"
Nellie is just trifle selfish, l
think Mrs. Morrow said gently. L
am fond of Nellie, Peter; but she real
ly ties you down frightfully.'' She was
relieved that Peter did not take Of
tense at her speaking plainly.
Il am lucky to have won her any
way-with this suffering speech" was
all the comment he made.
Mrs. Morrow sent a kindly invita-
ton to Lydia Jane Pattison via her
daughter. On the day of the girl s
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 a soft voice at his elbow
She had recognized the bronze giant
from Bertha's description.
He turned and met the pale, smiling
face of Lydia Pattison- 1t was not a
pretty face, but it was distinguished
and earnest. He led the way toward
the trap. 1t 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 deprecat-
ingly, makes lots of trouble for other
folks. 1 am not very~agile."
I'm so sorry Peter said with quick
emotion. II had not observed your
lameness" He lifted her bodily into
in. Her affliction and the brave way
in which she bore it. made Peter for
getful of himself. mot nervous about
driving, are you? This animal is bit
frisky for want of work.
IT suppose that's the way I'll be get
ting in the country-for want of
work. laughed Lydia, noticing the
slight hesitation in his speech and
wanting to put him at his ease. mo,
am not a bit nervous" she answered.
sI've been thru so many big dangers
and seen so much heart-rending agony
that a boiling horse and a few broken
bones would seem mere bagatelle.' -
zone would almost think you had
, been on the firing line" Peter said
smiling into her serious gray eyes.
81 have" she replied tel sely.
"You!" Peter jerked about in his
increduIity.
Just returned ten days ago. I vol
unteered in one of the relief ships that
about the trenches and hospitals until
my health gave out. I've come home
for a rest
Inwardly Peter shuddered. He had
, almost refused to give this brave little
woman the hospitality of his home
. "But-your injury-Iameness. Die
. 1T not happen there?"
r ooh, dear no." Lydia smiled GIVE
had my affliction since childhood. Ny
dear father spent thousands irving to
!, , cure me. but I'm intended to go thru
life manned. It's the law of compen-
satlon. l have had everything wan1
' in life. being an only child, except
: physical perfection. However" she
, since seeing the tortured bodies ant
! devastated homes that it has been m,
lot to see.''
Peter Morrow was silent Hi.
. THOUGHTS were more or less poignant
= All unconsciously Lydia Pattison wa:
clustering him with the lash of self
, less strength.
She continued quietly: st have new
t er let my affliction get the better O.
$ me or prevent my helping others
/ There was much work to be done by
: women's hands, and I will alwav,
= bless the privilege I've had to join tn.
ranks of women workers And now.
t she turned and smiled happily, ct hav.
brought home two little Belgian or
] phans to share my comfortable hom,
with me-
Every word she uttered was :
scourge. Peter realized what a pun,
| To r-ot,
ed his memory for some small dees
of mercy he had performed, but tn,
soil was barren. No act of self-abne
cation lay to his account Com
II placency and false pride were his
Lydia again broke the silence. &c
!. have PRAYED for wisdom and streugtl