Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1917-10-20

h"aNcd heavy sigh After all on
what other grounds could she com
pete The appearance was about all
Joel could be thinking Of But was II
allf Emma Baxter sat some time pom
dering this IN her heart Then She
took Il resolve
Ths next day when Joel rume home
to dinner he found Miss Mildred Cook
there. To say that he was surprised
would scarcely express it. Mildred
was very pretty. very much up 10 date,
and the girl to whom he was most de-
voted. She had studio. studied art.
and was exceedingly bohemian and I'M
conventional. For these reasons Mrs
Baxter knew she would not mind her
unceremonlOus invitation to dine Bax-
ter could not conceal his very evident
delight at having the young lady to
dinner. Mrs. Baxter promised her
that Mr.. Baxter would take her home
In their car But quite late that eve
ming Mrs. Baxter on ordering the car
heard that II could not be- taken out on
account of break somewhere. SO she
begged The young lady 10 remain over
night, and take a motor trip with them
10 the seashorc joel of course added
his entreaties and Mildred remained.
Returning late. Mrs Baxter again
urged the girl to stay overnight and
the next day prevailed upon her TO
make them visit of few days. Mil.
drcd being something of the 'snlaman-
der type all being fish that came To-
her net. and convincing herself that
anything She could get out of old BaX-
ter was clear gain. very willingly re-.
NAMED The next day Mrs. Baxter
received telegram saying near rel
alive was very H. She told Mildred
she must take The next train and
begged her as a great favor Ia stay
and take care Of Mr. Bnxter," she
would not he gone long, But Mrs.
BaXter'S visit stretched out into weeks.
She wrote often. speaking of the prog
reSs of the patient, and hoping to be
soon home adding She trusted Miss
Cook was taking good care OF him.
During her Sclf-hnpnScd absence
was doing some Specializing as 10 The
OUTCOME, She was giving joel chance
to find out If he really wanted tn cX.
chang" her for the girl Finally she
decided To- 60 home and face the re-.
suit, bitter though 1t might be Mil
drcd met her cXquiSItcly gowncd. and
smiling. Emma found her husband
NJ iu liz room lool,ng tired and rather
worn He seemed glad To- see her. But
HAT wn> undoubtedly Just blum,
Good heavens Joel what havr YOU
done to your hair: It's awful black
In front. and three shades lighter in
the back !" she exclaimed
We'll, | tried to do it myself and |
made mess Of IT, h. explained
Mrs. Baxter always touched w" her
husbands hair, and kept II Il nice, even
brown. ana She carefully concealed her
amusement at his discontinue.
Great Scott" he growlcd rmumag
Ing In the closet. 1--WE bought two
pairs Of slippers since you've been
gone That fool maid never puts EN-
where can find en-
Again Emma concealed smile.
Look here Emma. just can't dress
Cor dinner I'm all IN. | wish you'd
have it sent up and tell Mildred I'm
not Well enough To come down"
Emma found his slippers made him
comfortable. ana promised 10 send up
his dinner. Later on she heard from
Mildred about the good times She had
been having Judging from Tie places
where Joel had taken her. and the run
jnuou> round Of gaiety they had pur.
sued. Il was no wonder Joel looked
worn and tired
The next evening Mrs. Baxter
caught Joel with his dinner
clothes in his hand. He gave them u
vicious throw onto the bed and turned
on her with.
There I'll be- hanged If I'll put
them On, I'm going down Just as !
am II Mildred is shocked"
II haven't been shocked all these
ycnr> when YOU didn't dress for din,
ner." quietly observed Emma.
"No he answered See here Elm.
ma, couldn't you tell Mildred you aud
are thinking Of taking II trip away
IL the mountains. Wen "a away Ia.
g"thcr and have good old rest"
Emma was So happy She made an
errand into The next room to do away
with the tears that would come,