The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1919-12-10

Cerald'n man. Thomas. was an
early cause OF annoyance 90 Clara.
/ She would not have objected TO cook
| ing for farm hand. that WINS a
matter OF course with all good far.
mrrn' wives. But Thomas was more
| British. In all that mnkra the British
/ objectionable. than hia master. and
I Thomas was quite decidedly addicted
60 drink. lilo never thought Of wip-
ing dinh. or bringing Clara In a
bucket OF water from tho well. lie
alto what nhe get out upon the
kitchen table for him. three times a
4, day. chatting pleasantly enough Of
tho farm. tho horses. chickens. and
vegetable garden. II Clara was In an
amiable mood. but n. busy at the
stink. or clearing the dining room
table. nho was inwardiy tuning with
resentment at his very existence,
] Thomas could be silent. too. and
would presently Haunter away. stun
Ing his pipe. without even tho com.
mon courtesy 81 piilng his dishes 20.
I Fethcr for her washing Thomas held
I long conversations with hi 'anter
a they idled about the pr~ Clara
would hear their laughter. The man.
servant slept In a small shed detached
from tho main house. and there were
times when he did not appear In tho
morning. AZ such timen Gerald with
a pot Of strong coffee likewise dis.
appeared into the cabin.
Pore old rotterT' the husband
would say. generously. Hes a de
e~ntish sort. don't you know7 !
mcanter nay. poor old Thomas ala
me an awfuily good turn onoc--and
| that
Clara inferred from various hints
that Gerald had once b~en IN the
English army. and had me, Thomas.
and befrirnd~d him. or been be
friendei BY him. a, that period Of HE
existence. Hut. greatly 20 the little
brides disappointment Gerald never
spoke Of his old hom. or his oonneo.
tons there Clara had 10 draw what
comfort she could from hin intl'na
ton that an his relatives were unhe
licvabiy eminent and distinguished
tho LEAFS, Of them superior IN brain
and achievement 90 ny American
who ever drew the breath ~ life.
And presently she forgot Thomas.
forge, the petty annoyance OF cook
inx and summer heat and dogs and
physical discomfort. IN the over
whriminK prayer that tho coming
ehiid. about whose advent Gerald. n
first annoyed. had later becn 30 zen
rrousiy good naturrd. might prove
boy. Gerald. living unoomplAininEiy
in this dreadful little country town.
enduring Western conditions with
such dignity. and loving his little
wife despite her undertaken father,
would be seriously diagust~d. abe
knew. II Hhe gave him daughter.
IA giri7- Clara stammerei. her
eyre on tho Doctors face. her painting
little fiEurs lost In tho biE outline Of
her mothers spare room bed. She
managed n brave smile. but there was
a bitter lump in her throat
A grit
And she had been 20 brave 20
Fwee, with Jerry. who had not en-
loycd the three or four dayp % wait
ing at her mothers house. 20 strone
in her aEonics. az became the
healthy. normal little country girl
she waAi Fate owed her a non. abe
had done her share. Nhs had not
slinched. And nova Riril Fresh
tears OF disappointment came 20 take
the place Of tears OF pain In her eyes.
She remembered that Jerry had said.
few days before. "ft1l BE- a boy.
OF courre-ail the old women abou,
seem TO have settled that-and I be.
lisve III cable Cousin Harold"
''Aia nays itll be a boy" Clara had
submitted. hopefully. longing TO hear
more of Cousin Harold" to whom
Gerald alluded at long intervals
''Of course. Il wili-good old girlr'
Jerry had agreed. And that was only
Thursday night. and this was In tho
late dawn OF cold. wintry Saturday
morning.
Her mother bent over and kissed
her wet forehead. Mrs Mumford'a
big kind face was radiant: she had
already four small Rrandsons. this
J vas AAAF AANh ~ anu NlWFf
than that. tho nurse was not here
yet: she had been supreme thru tho
ordeal. ahc had managed one more
birth extremely well. and she re-
Ioiccd In the making OF nation.
such n nice baby. darlingF she
whispered. with her dear little head
all covered with black hair! Neta's
dressing her"
where's GcraldT" the young
mother asked weakly.
Right herel III let him In for a
momentr There was a satisfaction
in Mrs. Mumford's voice: everything
was proceeding absolutely by SEIZED.
ule. And just aa anxious 10 soc you
as you are 10 see him. she added.
happily. These occasions were al.
ways the same. and always far more
enjoyable 10 this practiced parent
than any pageant. any opera. any 40.
cial distinction could have boon. To
comfortably. soothingly lead the
trembling novice thru tho long expe.
rience. 20 whisk about the hous.
capably and briskly busy with the IA.
miliar paraphernalia. TO cry in sym.
pathy with another's tears. 10 stand
white-lipped. impotept. anFuished
thru few dreadful moments. and
then TO laugh. and rejoice. and re.
assure. before the happy hours of
resting, and feeding. and cuddling
began--this was the greatest salts.
faction In her life.
Clara. afraid In this first moment
TO face his disappointment. felt in an.
other the most delicious reinsurance
and comfort she had known in
months. Jerry. taking the chair by
tho bedside. was no dear about III
The long night had much Impressed
the new'made father. They had had
coffee at about o'clock--Clara re.