The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1919-05-29


house INTO charming freshness Max
well began regular work on the lawn,
turning its rough surface into green
velvet cutting dead sprouts from
shrubs and trees and training vines.
For years he had spent his evenings
downtown on the plea that he needed
relaxation.
Now he never left the place except
to 90 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
chlld's own contraction of the "Doro-
thy" which was given at her chrlsten-
ing-scracely had been acquainted
with her father, but now she reyeled
i'm the company of daddy" and trotted
after him like a frollcsome 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
morphosis. Patience had the living
room done over ineXpensively in soft
browns, and made the dining room,
with its 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 at
its best, l feel that it should be put on
the market. There is really nothing to
hinder my going now!f
Max looked at her fXedly for mo-
ment, then turned and left the room.
She had scarcely time to wonder until
he was back.
"Ilere," He held out the gilt let
tered "Dressmakmg" sign which for
some time had been ut the side en-
trance.
Maxwell what do you meant" she
asked, Was this the easy-loying, in
different husband, who had been de-
generating into a 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 ] am ready to take the job off
your handsn
Patience, her hands clasped over her
heart, dill not speak, 1t was his hour
and he should dominate it. He went
on:
Every word you said that night
was true-only 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. l
have not told you that l have been
promoted twice since YOU brought me
up Standingw
He laughed TREMENDOUSLY in his eX-
element but mastered his voice.
"Today they made me assistant man
ager i'm my department. Next year they
are going to enlarge the company, and
win take me in-they say they need a
Britton in the frm-imagine "
With Il single motion, he broke the
sign ana threw il on the table.
"Thats kindling wood, and nothing
moreover 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
tience" his victorious voice took on a
note Of pleading "your old shiftIesS
husband is gone-forever! Won't you
give the new one a trial?"
The resolute, self-controled woman
had disappeared, leaving behind sob
bling creature who chung to Maxwell,
trembling at his touch like a maiden
with her first love.
81 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 yoll--and Dorsey-and to
keep us togethcr!'
The little home, dreaming coZily in
its green setting, seemed TO smile with
hoppiua under the still moon, for IT
was safe.