The Tomahawk., 1919-04-10
apartment and live there with


From that time life was lived on
peculiar terms in the bungalow on
Park Heights. Maxwell was despond-
ent but uncommunicative. Patience
was calm, yet went about her work
with sadly inscrutable eyes. There
was guarded, wistful friendliness be-
tween the two, and shying off from
each other, as though to avoid mention
ing the situation.
The painters and carpenters came
and went, Transforming the shabby
house into charming freshness. Max
we'll began regular work on the lawn,
turning it's rough surface into green
velvet, cutting dead sprouts from
shrubs and trees and training wines.
For years he had spent his evenings
downtown on the plea that he needed
relaxation.
Now he never left the place except
to 20 to his work, and in the long twi-
lights Patience, with the light hand
work which she saved for evenings,
took strange comfort in knowing that
he was busy near her. Dorsey-the
child's own contraction of the "Doro-
thy which was given at her christen'
ing-scracely had been acquainted
with her father, but now she reveled
in the company of daddy" and trotted
after him like frolicsome puppy. Her
father enjoyed it, too, and Patience
would hear their merry dialogue out
side until bedtime.
The inside of the house had Its meta
n1orphosis. Patience had the living
room done over inexpensively In soft
browns, and made the dining room,
with it's ivory enamel and blue walls,
seem as though intended for the blue
china inherited from her mother. Up
stairs the rooms were freshened with
white paint and fresh walls, and the
house stood transformed.
81 want to tell you, Max" announced
Patience, one evening, that, now that
the house is ready, and the lawn Is mt
it's best, feel that it should be put on
the market. There is really nothing to
hinder my going now!"
Max looked at her fixedly for mo-
ment, then turned and left the room.
She had scarcely time to wonder until
he was back. 49,.
"Here!" He held out the gilt let
tered "Dressmaking" sign which for
some time had been at the side en-
trance.
Maxwell, what do you mean? she
asked. Was this the easy-loving In
different husband. who had been de::
generating into loafer, this decided
man whose blue eyes flashed so darkly,
and whose mouth was so firmly set?
1T means that, all the time you have
been making over this house, you have
been making me over, too, and that
now I am ready to take the job on
your hands!"
Patience. her hands clasped over her
heart, did not speak. It was his hour
and he should dominate 1t. He went
on:
"Every word you said that night
was true-only I had blamed every one
else and excused myself. It has taken
three months of hard work on your
part to put me- on the right track.
have not told you that I have been
promoted twice since you brought me
up standing!"
He laughed tremulOusly In his ex-
citement, but mastered his voice.
"Today they made me assistant man.
ager in my department. Next year they
are going to enlarge the company, and
will take me in-they say they need q
Britton in the firm-imagine ]"
With a single motion, he broke the
sign and threw it on the table.
"That's kindling wood, and nothing
more-ever!" he declared masterfully.
"From now on, for the rest of the year,
you may use your needle for your own
and Dorsey's frills. Next year you are
to hire some one to do it for you. Pa
tiencew his victorious voice took on a
note of pleading 'your old shiftless
husband is gone-forever! Won't you
give the new one a trial7"
The resolute, self-controlled woman
had disappeared, leaving behind Sob
bing creature who clung to Maxwell,
trembling at his touch like a maiden
with her first love.
II hoped that If I showed you what
our home might be. you would not let
me destroy it." she sobbed; "every
stroke that has gone to make It lovely
has been for you-and Dorsey-and to
keep Us together"
The little home, dreaming cozily In
ita Rreen setting. seemed to smile with
happiness under the still moon, for 1t
was safe.