Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1917-11-06
TWO WOMEN AND PETER
BY DOROTHY DOUGLAS.

Peter Morrow tossed his sisters let
ter irritably on the table.
"It's BIT of a bore sister expect
ing us to have this chum of hers down
to recuperate. Some anemic society
moth who'll turn up her whitewashed
nose at us and our country ways. Nell
lie win kick up a row, too, ! 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 Pattfson. Bertha is not the
kind to make friends of a snOb.
would feel badly to think I 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 my
self. Well have Miss Pattison down
for a 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 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 to meet 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 end smiled up into
his face that Peter realized she want
ed assistance.
"My stiff knee" she said depre-
catingly, "makes lots of trouble for
other folks. | am not very agile"
I'm so sorry" Peter said with
quick emotion, II had not observed
your lameness." He lifted her bod
lily into the trap and tucked her COM
fortably in. Not nervous about driy-
ing, are you? This animal is a bit
frisky for want Of work"
mo, / am not a bit nervous" she
answered. 1--we been through so many
big dangers and seen so much heart
rending agony that boiling horse and
a few broken bones would seem mere
bagatelle."
zone would almost think you had
been on the firing line" Peter said.
II have" she replied tersely.
"Youw Peter jerked about.
"Just returned ten days ago. I
volunteered in one Of the relief ships
that went to Belgium. I've been con-
stantly about the trenches and hos
pitfalls until nay health gave out. I've
come home for a rest"
'But-your. injury-lameness. Did it
not happen there?"
"Oh, dear no." Lydia smiled. tive
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. / have had everything want
in life, being an only child, except
physical perfection. However," she
went on softly, ST feel thrice blessed
since seeing the tortured bodies and
devastated homes that it has been my
lot to see.'
Two weeks at Shady Grove farm, I'M
der its strenuous and inspiring influ-
ence of Lydia Jane Pattison, worked
a wonderful change. Also it had
brought about a change in Nellie
Baker.
81 wish Lydia Jane Pattison had
stayed where she belongedr" 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
of existence!"
That's just it. We've simply ex-
listed. Tn nothing but a great, PAM
pered, Sinking brutel 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 open-eyed at the dis
play of energy in her erstwhile phleg-
matte lover.
eff 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 name"
Nellie fiounced up, flung Peters love-
" ring on the floor and with flaming
cheeks turned on her heel and left the
astonished Peter gazing after her.
''Talk about feline claws" he NUT
tered. and left the ring where it had
fallen.
He sat for quite ten minutes think
ing very hard. 1t was not so much
of Nellie he was thinking as of his
mother and one other woman. 1t was
the other woman who stepped softly
over the threshold while Peter was
still thinking.
.sMr. Morrow" she said, while the
eyer-ready smile struggled for its ac-
customed place on her lips. Il have
told your dear mother that my rest
is over and I am going back to the FIR
ing line. / want to leave tonight
at five-if you win drive me to the
station. VIII you-mind?''
Peter looked up slowly. Lydia's
eyes turned swiftly away. but Pc
ter saw the queer little lines about her
mouth.
LYDIA" he said softly while his
big arms opened wide that she might
enter them. 81 am free to tell yen !
love you Come"
Mrs. Morrow, passing the window a
moment later. smiled happily.
MY boy has found his proper mate.
she commented softly.
| Copyright, 1917. by the Mcclure Newspa-
per Syndicate)