Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-04-03
to his account. complacency and false

to his account. competency anu Ialse
pride were his.
Lydia again broke the silence. 81
have prayed for wisdom and strength
to bring up those little souls and make
them good citizens"
"And you'll do It," Peter said finally,
and sent a warm glance at Lydia that
made a suggestion Of an early garden
| of roses come into her cheeks.
Two weeks at Shady Grove farm,
under the strenuous and inspiring in
~fluence OF Lydia Jane Pattison, work
ed a wonderful change. Also it had
brought about a change in Nellie
Barker. Peter seemed scarcely to rec
ognize his easy-going sweetheart. Her
little mouth mutinous.
81 wish Lydia Jane Pattison had
stayed where she belonged! She done
nothing but upset u peace and CON-
fort. Her duty and obligations make
me tired. Advanced theories are all
| nonsense. We were all quite contented
with our own mode Of e~xistence!"
That's just 1t. We've simply exist
ed, I'm nothing but a great, pamper-
ed, Sinking brute! I've never lifted
my hand to help a fellow creature. I
wanted to punch my " head
through the mirror this morning."
Nellie stared open-eyed at the dis
play of energy in her erstwhile
phelgmatic lover.
you can't be expected to do much
with your affliction, Peter" she sug-
gested hesitatingly.
"Afliction nothing" exclaimed Pet
er. What a hating speech compared
to what that brave little Miss Patti.
son has to bear? There's affection, II
you like. Mother and I are going to
help her along in her work. I have ar.
ranged to have all the village boys
who are willing come in and learn
poultry raising and farming. I am 60
ing to teach them myself every Satur'
day.
ooh, dear, walled Nellie. tears
streaming down her rosy cheeks; you
always take me buggy riding on Sat,
urdays. IL don't think it's fair, so l
don't. And our mother has gone and
given two of our quiet afternoons to
teach those dirty little girls how to
sew and cook" A sob choked her.
Peter put his arm gently about her.
But, dearie," he said, II thought you
were going to help mother and Miss
Pattison. Think what an interest It
gives you, and some day will realize
the good you have done to future gen.
GRAFTON"
Nellie jerked herself fretfully out OF
his arms. II don't want to come in con-
tact with a lot OF dirty children. Let
their own mothers take care Of them
and teach them"
That's Just the point, exactly. II
the mothers of these children had
been properly taught in childhood
their offspring would not have to be
shown the way by strangers. Miss Pat
tison says"
IF you mention hat woman's name
again to me IlI-Ill scream! It's Miss
Pattison this and Miss Pattison that,
I'm sick Of her very name"
Nellie flounced up. flung Peters
lovely ring on the floor and with fam
ing cheeks turned on her heel and lei
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 moth
er and one other woman. It was the
other woman who stepped softly over
the threshold while Peter was still
thinking. Seeing him in deep thought,
Lydia hesitated, braced her shoulders
and advanced.
"Mr. Morrow" she said, while the
ever ready smile struggled for 1t &C
customed place On her lips. Il have
told your dear mother that my rest is
over and l am going back to the airing
line. I want to leave tonight--at five
If you will drive me to the station.
Will-mind?"
Peter looked up slowly. Lydia's eyes
turned swiftly away, but Peter saw
the queer little lines about her mouth
He knew that the final words Of her
sentence had trembled and nearly re
fused to come.
Lydia" he said softly while his
big arms opened wide that she might
enter them. II am free to tell you
love you. Come"
Mrs. Morrow, passing the window a
moment later, smiled happily.
"My boy has found his proper
mate" she commented softly.