The patriot. [volume] (Indiana, Pa.) 1914-1955, 1918-06-29
The Clean
Plate
Copyright, 1918, western Newspaper Union.)
By Barton Payne Arlington

was a sort Of ruling goddess with the
four gentlemanly boarders she had re-
tanned, satisfied and content, year after
year.
They were all bachelors. Baird Dens-
low was the youngest and, because of
his quiet, thoughtful ways and regular
habits, Mrs. Warden liked him the
| best. He was a clerk in brokerage
house, was saving, spent his leisure
! time in reading, and never forgot some
! little gift as a mark of appreciation
and respect whenever q holiday came
around.
Il am thinking of making something
of a change in my domestic arrange
ments," she said to him one evening,
while Mr.. Nesbit, the star boarder,
was singing to the accompaniment of
Mr.. Dale's violin and Mr.. WatsOn's
saxophOne. They were a rather ac-
cOmplished Quartette when DenslOw
added his flute to the outfit.
Il hope you mediate nothing that
will disturb the pleasant current Of
all our lives" submitted DenslOw in
his quiet unObtrusive way.
con the contrary" readily replied
his landlady, "it will be an addition to
our little group which, l believe, will
be acceptable to all. My daughter, Oh
i've, is coming to stay with me perma-
nently."
DenslOw had heard Mrs. Warden re-
fer to this daughter more than once.
Olive Morse was a young widow who
had for several years been working in
a good position in a distant city.
YES" resumed Mrs. Warden, "Olive
is tired Of office work, and l am get
ting old. She feels it a duty to be near
me and tighten my burdens"
There were some glum faces when
the announcement of a possible change
in the excellent fare and comfortable
environment dominated by Mrs. Wa
den was apprehended and discussed.
There were smiling faces and perfect
satisfaction, however, before the fair
Olive had been installed a week. All
that Mrs. Warden knew of superb
cookery she seemed to have impaired
to her daughter, for the table layout
never fell below average, and general
ly exceeded it. Besides that, there
never was a more charming hostess
than the young widow.
Mr.. Dale, who had gone out to his
club regularly, abandoned that rou-
tine. Watson bought a new saxa-
phone. Previously an "old clothes"
man, Nesbit appeared in a new suit.
Denslow, who had been an pmniverOus
reader evenings, welcomed the cOntin-
uous musicales with ardor and regu-
larity.
With the declaration Of war Olive
was alive to all new issues of the day.
In expressing her sentiments as to the
features of saving and helping she met
with the heartiest cooperation of her
four admirers. When she joined a
group of ladies engaged in knitting
socks and sweaters for the boys over
there" the donations Of the bOarders
were more than liberal. When war
flour and restricted sugar supplies be-
came the order of the day there were
no complaints. Dale, who had a sweet
tooth, ostentatiOusly took but one
lump per meal, and Watson declared
that the substitute biscuits beat the
original variety all hollow! NeSbit be-
gan to dOte on cOrnmeal and barley.
Denslow accepted conditions not only
cheerfully, but as a consistent matter
of principle.
''MOtherw said Olive one day, "you
don't suppose Mr.. DenslOw is getting
dissatisfied with our fare?"
"Why, what makes you think that?"
inquired Mrs. Warden wonderingly.
Because he restricts himself to one
helping. The others leave a wasteful
supply very often, but Mr.. Denslow al
ways a clean plate"
''Well, Olive" spoke her mother, 81
overheard him tell the others a few
days ago that he considered it a mat
ter of duty for every man at home to
sacrifice what he could for the man
abroad. You seem considerably inter-
ested in Mr. DenslOw. Let me see-he
Will DG lllG lOuI III OllC, w Ou L lcs
Olive blushed and resumed her work
like one seeking diversion. One af-
ter another, Dale, Watson and Nesbit
had told Olive tkat she was the wife
they had been waiting for all their
lives.
Denslow had been on the point of
following their example, Olive had dis
cerned, but his innate mOdesty had
checked him. One afternoon, with
mutual surprise, they came face to
face at a bank, each buying a Liberty
bond.
Il have saved enough to make the
purchase" Olive told him, "by cutting
close in buying and cooking"
Il have found that a little figuring
as to the lunch and cigar supplies
helps a fellow sift out quite an amount
in the course of a mouth" explained
Denslow.
They grew CHEEKY and confidential
as they pursued their way homewardS
Somehow, each had discovered some
thing harmonious as to opinions and
tastes. Somehow the barrier of shy