The silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1909-1925, 1919-09-18
BATHROOM SCREEN
IslS. by Mcclure Newspapt
Syndicate.)

been a door key, a pair of gloves, or
even a hat, one would not have won-
dered-but a screen, a window screen
1t was a mystery.
Mrs. Weed had looked for il Just
everywhere" but could not find II.
All the other screens were fitted In
the windows; this was needed. Flies
be done?
Father, you must know where that
screen is you put 1t away" Mrs. Weed
said to her husband. Those that hide
surely ought to be able to fnd."
II don't know where 1t Is, mother {;
I've looked for 1t everywhere. I don't
know a thing about it. l don't emem-
Der putting 1t away"
These two good people had the old
fashioned habit of calling each other
father" and mother In q 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 ruf-
fled. II haven't touched It," h went
on; "'tisn't likely anyone has stolen
it; there are plenty Of things they'd
take sooner than that"
That's so !" asserted her husband,
with a troubled look but really l
can't think what can have become OF
1t. 1t can't have walked of; but l
don't believe it's In the house, and
I've looked down cellar-I wish ! knew
what l did with It,"
1t 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. IL 1t had disap-
peared it was not his fault, and ne
didn't see how he was to blame Tor
1t, # it wasn't his doing.
You must have put 1t somewhere
yourself, MOTHER he suggested, try
ing to clear himself and to ward on
her displeasure.
81 didn't. father! You know l
didn't. I haven't touched 1t; | guess
/ know! You have hidden it some
where, that's all there is about 1t,
and I'd just like to have you find 1t.
The flies are coming In, and ! can't
stand flies. They'll be all 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 a storm-and all
for the sake of a window screen! So
little a thing 1t 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 a little fire kindleth!"
Mrs. Weed hustled about, rather sui
lenly, for she wanted her husband to
understand that she vas thoroughly
displeased with him, finished her work,
dressed and started for downtown. She
closed the bathroom window, however,
before she went out. If you can't
find the screen, you've got TO have the
window down, and smother" she af-
firmed, in a decided voice.
Mr.. Weed was left alone, standing
in the middle of the kitchen floor.
His face wrinkled. IT'S strange where
that screen could have gone to- he
muttered. II hate to have mother so
put out about tit must be some
where, that's certain. l guess I'll just
give another look about, though /
'spose won'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; ITS 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 it 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 a
small portion of 1t could be seen on
either side of the glass and through
the fligree work. He hastily pulled
it out and there was the lost screen
"Ha, ha !" he laughed, "there that
screen has been all the time! We
weren't very smart not to see 1t right
before our facesl I am going to put
II in the window and see what moth
erIl say when she m home"
OF course, Mrs. Weed discovered the
screen the first thing. where did you
find it, fatherT she asked.
"Why, mother, what do you think?
Twas right before our faces and eyes
all the time; II IT had been a bear
'twould have bitten us-'twas right in
the front hall. behind the hat-tree-
and-come to think Of 1t. l put 1t there
myself when l brought the screens
down from the attic-I never thought
of 1t. So twas all my fault. mother.
Pm the one who hid 1t, and I'll take
all the blame" he laughed.
But l told you to put it there. ia
fher ~ returned his wife. Don't YOU