The Tomahawk., 1918-12-05
BATHROOM SCREEN
By JULIA A. ROBINSON.

Copyright, 1915. by Mcclure Newspaper
Syndicate.)

| (SOpyC1Sul, 1910. Nv lCNAuAS @NCNSPoPSA
| Syndicate.)
| The bathroom screen was lost
strange thing to lose, too! If it had
been a door key, a pair of gloves, or
even a hat, one would not have Won
dered-but a screen, window screen
lit was mystery.
Mrs. Weed had looked for it ''just
everywhere" but could not find it.
All the other screens were fitted in
the windows; this was needed. Flies
were beginning to come. What was to
be done?
"Father, you must know where that
screen, is; you put it away" Mrs. Weed
said to her husband. '"Those that hide
surely ought to be able to find"
II don't know where it is, mother;
I've looked for it everywhere. I don't
know thing about it. I don't remem-
Der putting it away"
These two good people had the old
fashioned habit of calling each other
father" and mother" in real honey,
loving way.
"Well, you put it away. I'm sure OF
that, and you ought to know where II
is" asserted his gentle wife, with un-
usual decision. She was generally
quiet, but now she was decidedly ruff
fled. II haven't touched it" She went
on; "'tisn't likely anyone has stolen
it.; there are plenty Of things theyd
take sooner than that"
| "That's SOL! asserted her husband,
with a troubled look "but really
can't think what can have become OF
it. It can't have walked off but
don't believe it's in the house, and
I've looked down cellar-I wish knew
what did with it."
It worried him much to have his
wife even insinuate that he was in the
wrong. Surely he had done his best
to find the screen. If it had dis:p-
peared it was not his fault, and he
didn't see how he was to blame for
it, if it wasn't his doing.
"You must have put it somewhere
yourself, mother" he suggested, try
| ing to clear himself and to ward OF
her displeasure.
II didn't, father! You know
didn't. I haven't touched it; guess
! I know! You have hidden it some
| where, that's all there is about it,
| and I'd just like to have you find it.
The flies are coming in, and 1 can't
stand flies. They'll be oil over the
house before you know it."
These two worthy people had lived
together as man and wife for more
than forty years, and had never been
known to quarrel. Yet now they were
Just on the verge of storm-and oil
for the sake of window screen! So
little a thing It takes sometimes to
break up the harmony and peace of
home life, and to separate even the
dearest and truest friends. $50 great
a matter q little fire kindleth
| Mrs. Weed hustled about, rather sui.
lenly, for she wanted her husband to
understand that she was thoroughly
displeased with him, finished her work,
dressed and started for downtown. She
closed the bathroom window, however,
nefore she went out. IF you cent
find the screen, you've got to have the
| "AuOOW@-u OWAs uAu SAAOtASAS oAAS --~
firmed, in decided voice.
Mr.. Weed was left alone, standing
in the middle Of the kitchen floor.
His face wrinkled. Its Strange where
that screen could have gone to-" he
muttcred. II hate to have mother so
put out about tit must be some
where, that's certain. guess I'll just
1Io 11tr1, T.
'spose twon't do any good"
Mr.. Weed spent an hour in his
search, going from attic to cellar, but
all with no avail. II knew It," he said
to himself; "it's no use"
| At last quite wearied with his fruit
less toll, painting and dazed, he stood
still in the front hall, scratched his
head, and tried to think, for he hated
! to give 1t up, after all.
Suddenly Mr.. Weed gave a jump.
"By lingo! What's that?" he cried.
His eye had caught the sight of
something behind the glass. Only
small portion of it could be seen on
! either side of the glass and through
| the filigree work. He hastily pulled
it out; and there was the lost screen
"Ha, hal" he laughed, "there that
screen has been all the time! We
weren't very smart not to see it right
before our faces! am going. to put
| It in the window and see what moth
er1l say when she comes home"
OF course, Mrs. Weed discovered the
screen the first thing. "Where did you
find it, father?" she asked.
"Why, mother, what do you think?
Twas right before our faces and eyes
all the time; If 1t had been bear
'twould have bitten us-'twas right in
| the front hall. behind the hat-tree-
| and-come to think Of it, I put it there
myself when 1 brought the screens
down from the attic-I never thought
Of 1t. So twas all my fault, mother.
| I'm the one who hid it, and I'll take
| al thu h1o mo " no 1qnphod