Middletown transcript., 1921-09-17
SPRING CLEANING
By LYDIA LION ROBERTS.

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Allan Warner pushed back his chair
and rose abruptly from the table.
That's healthy meal for grown
man." he mumbled, nothing but a lot
Of scraps"
Il can't help it," retorted Beatrice,
her brown eyes swapping. 1--WE been
ouse-cleaning all day, and I'm tired
to DEATH"
"You look It," said Allan grimly, his
gray eyes travelling from his wife's un-
tidy dark hair to her flushed face and
rumpled housedress. "You used to
keep yourself up and be full Of fun at
supper time and play to me evenings,
he continued reproachfully, "and now
You are always too tired and don't
even change your DRESS"
1T is easy enough for you to talk,
flashed Beatrice, "you can keep your
self spick and span all day in the Of
flee with NO dirty work to do," and
she glared resentfully at her hus-
bands smooth, brown hair, clear brown
skin and immaculate clothes. I'VE
can't afford to have the cleaning done,
and SO have to do it, and you can't
expect me to do everything else be-
Sides"
Huh! Spring house-cleaning again
Beautiful spring." growled Allan.
Beatrice frigidly cleared the table
and then went to bed in naughty 81
lence, while Allan read and rested and
then wondered what made him such
crouch lately.
The next morning Allan hustled up
first and brought his wife a cup OF
coffee before she was out OF bed.
Thought you might like an extra
rest" he smiled sheepishly.
"Oh, that's dear Of you," responded
Beatrice, quickly, as she Rugged him
in affectionate remorse.
"Tve had my breakfast, and you try
and take it easy today" said Allan as
he left for the train.
"Now, isn't that just like a manT'
thought Beatrice, as she began to
dress. 'There Is so much to be done
curtains to iron, paint to clean and
windows to wash. Oh dear! l get
so tired and cross. In all our i've
years Of married life we have never
quarreled so much as we have lately
Allan is so unreasonable sometimes
und l can't bear to have our nice
new home get dirty, but this house
cleaning takes the heart out Of me. >
A part Of verse she had once read
came suddenly to her mind:
Yes, clean your house-and clean your
barn in every part;
But--in housecleaning time don't forge'
to clean your heart.
"That's a funny idea," she mused
81 wonder IL l housecleaned my heart
what I'd do? I suspect I'd throw away
some selfshness and envy, and scrut
out some stubbornness, and iron the
wrinkles out Of my patience and sym
pathy. Then I'd polish my musical
talents and make the rooms all shin
ing with the brushes of tenderness
| and love-"
She laughed at the whimsical idea
II think I'll try change" she final
| ly decided. Il don't need to get al
| my hard work done at once, anyway
| I've been too much the hOusekeepel
and not enough the home-maker o.
this family"
Allan had been through q trying
day, for orders had gone astray, his
best clerk away and inefficiency caus
ing trouble. He sighed with relief al
| ne started for home, and then his
| spirits sank.
"No rest for the wicked" hi
| groaned inwardly. ''This is house
cleaning time and it's 'pickups' fol
me again, l suppose. Well, It's up tt
me to smile and bear it."
| He squared his shoulders and whis
| tied loudly as he ran up the steps Of
his pretty suburban cottage. The
door opened quickly and Beatrice sale
smilingly:
| "Hello, honey, l was watching FOL
you. Isn't it a lovely spring evening !!
| Allan looked at her in pleased sur
prise. Her wavy black hair was pret
| tily coiled with little curls tempting
| kisses around her ears. Her brown
| eyes sparkled and her cheeks glowet
family pink and cool. Her green ant
white dress was one that he especial!
admired, and a crisp, ruftied apron
| swung saucily as she went into tht
dining room.
"Mufins tonight, dearie," she said
cheerily, as she brought in the supper
Allan sighed with satisfaction at thu
taste Of the hot mullins and juicy
steak. The silver shone, the daint!
china glistened, there was a vase o.
ionuuils in the center Of the table ant
opposite him his wife talked merrill!
Of the news Of the day.
'There's no place like home" h
declared, appreciatively.
"Tll pack the dishes and play to yOl
awhile" said Beatrice, after her hus
band had eaten so much that he hat
to kiss the cook.
Allan leaned back comfortably IL
his favorite chair, listening in perfec
enjoyment as Beatrice played piec'
after piece they both loved.
Lets sing" he suggested, finally
and got up to stand beside her at th'
piano.
This is like old times" he exclaimed
boyishly. II feel about twenty ant
YOU look like sixteen again. Wha
has happened, anyway? Have vol
found the fountain Of youth, or beel
left fortune?"