Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1920-09-17
HER>PLAN
BY MILDRED WHITE
opyrlght. lg2O. Western Newspaper Union.

9R939R9R9R9R9R9RSS39
Copyright, 1920, Western Newspaper Union)
Mrs. Trenton sat on the porch and
tapped an impatient foot. All the
DAVIS of her sons life" she had dread
ed his marriage, that time which must
come to separate him from her. For
Mrs. Trenton in her Jealous love felt
she could brook no sharing. Then
when. with Rogers manhood, she
realized his compelling power and
knew that he would seek his own, she
set about eagerly forestaling him in
the search that his future mate might
be acceptable to herself. Mrs. Tren-
ton was proud of her housekeeping
ability-Roger's wife should be good
housekeeper. Mrs. Trenton had been
raised in a sensible, saving family
Rogers wife must be both economical
and matter-of-fact. His mother had,
as she herself would express it, mo
patience with modern frivolity." And
near at hand she found the object
of her search. Roger would, no doubt,
show a young mans appreciation OF a
pretty face, so Ruth was good and
sweet to look upon. Ruth had been
for years a neighbor. Mrs. Trenton
knew the girls life almost as one
reads a book her well executed house
hold tasks; her simple pleasures-Mrs
IN. L., oil QnnT0V40
Ruth was evidently agreeable to the
union planned for her. Though this
purpose was not openly acknowledged
the girl smiled and flushed at the
many references as to how Roger
admired" this or that quality of her
own. And If Ruth possessed a deeper
and less open nature than the mother
guessed, it was not revealed. Rogers
last letter had come a crushing blow;
but the mother was not yet van
ouished. He admitted his love for
beautiful girl" whom he had met at
society musical in the city. Rogers
mother had gone before him to the
country cottage which was their sum-
mer home The photo he enclosed or
the beautiful girl verified even
lovers statement She was lovely
creature. charming in face and figure
as a favorite of the screen. The gown
the girl wore expressed as openly her
social tastes.
She would invite Ruth to the
| vi
she would urge Roger to bring his
Roberta In his letter he confessed
the intention of asking Roberta to
marry him. Mrs. Trenton begged that
he postpone this intention, until after
Miss Robins visit, when all would be
better acquainted. She had visions of
the society favorite, bereft of her
gamor in the morning kitchen OF
the summer cottage. Roger would be
aware there of her uselessness and
vanished charm, compared to Ruth.
ut isn't exactly delightful" Ruth
GROSSLY cOnfided, ito stand over stove
frying crullers for an idle stranger"
Mrs. Trenton nodded understanding
ly.
1--WE thought of another PLAN" she
said "to bring Roger to his senses.
You must 90 away tomorrow, Ruth
and I" she leaned fOrward-"I IN
going to develop sprained ankle.
ThereIl be no one to cook or do a
necessary thing in this house, but the
butterfly You see how it's going to
come out?"
81 see" said Ruth; she smiled
shrewdly and departed.
Roger was concerned, upon the fol
lowing morning, over his mothers
bandaged ankle
you mustn't move" he ordered
an go and get Hannah Hastings to
do the work"
Hannah Hastlngs| his mother
gasped. She had forgotten about
Hannah, the general helper.
"Her rheumatism has been pretty
bad lately" she suggested.
But Roger waved the objection
aside. Hannah can get around the
stove at least" he said, she's born
cook. I'll carry up all your meals
and he did. He was so happy about
It that Mrs. Trenton felt she had ac
compished little in removing not only
the rival, but the chaperOne as well
"Robby" paid her bright little visits
every day, and sang-with Roger
seated at her side each evening-at
the piano. Old Hannah's cooking was
everything that could be desired. Mrs
Trenton wondered at the clevernes'
with which she devised new delicacie'
for her tray. And as the affair Of
Ruth promised at this rate no progress
sion, the mother recovered promptly
from her spralned ankle, one sunshinl
morning. and made her way down thu
stairs. Laughter came from thu
kitchen. and Mrs. Trenton, peerinl
through the door, saw there
surprising sight. Roger, seated up
on table, was whistling merrily t.
the time of spinning egg beater
while Miss Roberta Robins, neve