The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1917-01-17

doubt her ability to perform the task
before her II he knew, that she kept
her secret.
In the morning she slipped from her
room At 6-blandly lying 70 her mus.
band that she was cold and had gone
to rest IN q warmer room that had re.
Gently been vacated. And as Mrs.
Lester seldom took breakfast with her
husband, he never guessed that while
he was eating she was working furious.
ly In the kitchen, nor dreamed that the
coffee and cereal, bacon, eggs and
mullins were ell the result Of his wife's
efforts with the cook book and stove.
After breakfast Mrs. Lester ordered
quickly and deity over the phone, and
then came the stupendous undertak.
ing Of getting those twenty luncheons
ready for the men at the factory by
1880. And good luncheons they were.
too centertng around individual
meat pics that, with the directions and
suggestions Of the cook book lying
above stairs, Mrs. Lester managed to
put together from the remnants OF
last nights roasts.
Then came dinner, and though Mrs.
Testers arms ached from the unaccus.
toned labor, and though she was al.
most dropping under the task, she was
supremacy happy. She had left note
in her husbands room saying that she
had gone to spend the day with
friend and would not be home till o,
and at that hour, when with the help
OF the girls from the factory, she had
washed all the dishes. she stole into
Mrs. Lands room long enough to put
on her big cloak and hat that she had
left there for that purpose. Then,
pinching little color into her tired
face, she tripped smiling up into her
husbands room. 1t had been won
derful day of achievement, and she
could hardly wait till Mrs. Lands re-
turned-she was due at 10 that night
to hear what she would say.
Such q wonderful day as l have
had!" she said to her husband by way
Of explaining the happiness that she
knew must be shining from her face.
Wonderful days." Knocked her hus-
band; yes, and have been shaving at
the office. Grille, I'm getting tired OF
this-just little. II ] only felt that
my wife could do soemthing, too, that
she knew what It was TO get right down
to work, It would make all the differ
ence. I'd like to have little house OF
our own, but don't dare to suggest it.
You're too much of doll. It's worrying
over that besides worrying over the
business that keeps me so low heart
ed"
"And you have wanted to keep house
and haven't told me-" she whispered.
"And for all these months and years
I've longed for something to do and
didn't dare ask you"
But that was all she had time to
say, for Mrs. Lands, forgetting her
usual considerateness, rushed through
the half-opened door. She had arrived
and Martha, now down stairs for the
first time. had told her.
BLESS your heart" she said, putting
her motherly arms around the wife.
Say, Mr.. Lester. with wife that can
cater, order and cook for thirty and net
let any one know about it, you ought
to be as proud as Punch. And you are
proud, too, know. But that's the way
with some women. They're lucky at
everything they attempt - from run
ming a boarding house to making a
man happy"
And as Mrs. Lands went out Of the
room again the husband took his tired
little wife in his arms. "She's right.
You have made me happy and l am
- ha xyhfonaroH