Evening capital and Maryland gazette. (Annapolis, Md.) 1910-1922, 1918-09-12
Life S Fullness
B, VICTOR REDcLEFE
cOpyrisht. 1918. western Newspaper unlOn-l

There had been no romance about
the marriage of wynne Peyton TO Nell
lie Price. yet for the most part she
was Sweetly content. He was a man
any woman might respect and esteem.
There had been no love making and
his choice of Nellie had come about
through impulse. Peyton was engaged
in business in a good way. He had in
his employ a man who had been book
keeper way back TO the time his ia
Their had started the business. John
Price died. leaving motherless daugh-
ter. Peyton exerted himself TO pay all
due respect to the memory of this faith
full old business servant. This had
brought him in close contact with the
sorrowing daughter. Peyton felt II
duty to make some provision for the
lonely orphan. He asked her to be-
come his wife. There was spirit of
patience and gentleness about the
young girl that won his admiration.
He had no time for love. he told HIM
self but he surely needed someone
TO make a home for himself and those
dependent upon him. Nellie fitted into
the situation completely, TO his way
of thinking. She fluttered, and her
eyes wore a beseeching expression as
Peyton told her of his wish TO marry
her. The man did not read in the
same the earnest longing of an untrain-
ed heart for love. and tenderness. and
appreciation. She was lonely, she was
glad to be offered home, but more
than that, she craved for affection.
81 will give you everything that
ought to make woman happy" Pey-
ton told her. "There Is my mother,
old and failing, and the two little
orphan children of my sister. Would
you feel 1t too burdensome to become
mistress Of my home and look after
these helpless ones?'
''You honor me greatly" replied Nell
lie, "but am ! worthy of, or equal to
the occasion? You were a good friend
to my father, Mr.. Peyton; you have
done everything possible for me to soft
en- the blow of his death. Who would
not feel bound to you and to your in
terests after that?"
''Then you are willing to cast your
lot in with mine?" asked Peyton plain
~.
Eyes, Mr. Peyton," and Nellie be-
came the mistress of the old family
home. 1t was trying at the first, for
old Mrs. Peyton was loath to give up
to old age and feebleness. The chill
dren, too, at first resented the guild
ance of a stranger. A month after
they were married Peyton came home
one evening with news that troubled
Nellie greatly. His firm had branch
in Brazil; its manager had peculated
and absconded and had left the bust.
ness In a complicated condition. Some
one must go and straighten out af-
fairs, or the entire investment would
be lost.
81 have decided that the Brazil end
Of our business needs me more than
this end" he told her, sand l shall
leave tomorrow night"
ST hope 1t will not be long alb
sence," said Nellie, and his heart
warmed at the manifest sincerity Of
her words.
81 fear So" he replied-"at least
year. I shall leave you amply provid-
ed for and want you to sustain no
onerous duties. II the care of moth
er and the children becomes too stren-
nous, promise me that you will make
some arrangements to tighten the
burden"
"Your mother, the children" cried
Nellie, her true eyes betokening the
genuineness of her emotion. "Why,
they have become half of life to mel
really think they are beginning to
love me as / do them. And the other
half is-you," and he quiyered as her
hand rested upon his own and he
realized the sterling worthiness of the
woman he had welded lovelessly.
At the end of year Peyton was still
at the remote coffee plantation, the af-
fairs of which he was whipping back
into shape. Every week there reached
him letter from Nellie. It's tone was
wifelys and affectionate, but mainly de-
failing information that he as a bust
ness man would appreciate. Once
month he replied. Many time, when
half Ill from climatic conditions and
worn out with overwork, at the thought
Of home and comfort he was half mind
ed to cast business and gain TO the
winds. He was buoyed up, however,
by photographs Nellie sent him of his
mother and the children, happy faced
and healthy, and by letter from his
mother telling of the treasure Of the
household, Nellie, who seemed to pos
sess a magic for making everybody
contented.
AT the end of two years he left the
plantation like a man released from
a prison. He would surprise the folks,
and he reached home at dusk to find
his mother alone. She greeted him
with joy, almost Immediately begin
ming to extol the angel in the house
who had made an earthly Eden of the
pretty home.
"And oh we have a wonderful sur
prise for you" she began, and was
interrupted by the appearance of Nell
lie and the two little ones.
Il have something to show you" she
flustered. and she led him into a little
room where a cherub face smiled up at
him from its baby crib.
The strong man fairly reeled at the
ravishing presentment Of the moment.