Judsonia weekly advance. (Judsonia, Ark.) 1???-1922, 1922-03-09
By
KATHLEEN
NORRIS

She spent much of her free time by
her husbands side. amusing him as
skillfully as a mother. He was get
ting so popular that she had to be
ready for callers every day. Would he
like her 10 keep George Sewall for
dinner. when they could play dominoes
again? Would he like the table with
the picture puzzle? He would like
just to talk? Very we'll; they would
talk.
Martins day was so filled and
divided With small pleasures that ii
was apt to amaze him by passing too
quickly. He had special breakfasts.
he had his paper, his hair was brushed
ana his bed remade dozen times a
day. Cherry shared her mail, which
was always heavy now, with him; she
fitted into the sick-room every few
minutes with small messages or gifts.
With her bare, bright head, her busy
White hands, her voice all motherly
amusement and sympathy and sweet
ness, she had never seemed SO much
wife. She had the Dleasantest laugh
in the world, and she often laughed.
The sick-room was kept with exquisite
simplicity, With such freshness, bare
ness, and order as made it a place of
delight. One day Cherry brought home
a great Vikory bowl of silvery glass,
and dozen drifting goldfish and Mar
tin never tired of watching them idly
while he listened to her reading.
81
airy day, when he came upon her III the
dining room, contentedly arranging a
fragrant mass of wet viOlets, 81 think
Martins out Of the woods now. | be-
lieve I'll be moving alongr'
'Oh, but we want you always. Pc
teri" she said, innocently regretful.
The ghost of a panied smile fitted
across his face.
THANK you" he said, gently "But
| think | will GO he added, mildly.
She made no further protest.
But where?" she asked, sympa-
thetically.
II don't know. l shall take Buck
start off toward the big mountains.
I'll write you now and then, of coursel
Tn going home, first!'
"Just now" Cherry unused, sadly,
perhaps it is best-for you-to get
away! Now that Martin is so much
better" she added, in little burst. Il
do feel so sorry for you. Peter! l
know how you feel. / shall miss her
always, Of COURSE" said Cherry, "but
| have him."
81 try not to think of her." Peter
said, finging up his head.
when you do" Cherry said, earn
estly, giving him more of her attention
than had been usual, of late, Here is
something to think, Peter. It's this
we have so much to be thankful for,
because she never-knew! 1t was
Madness" Cherry went on, eagerly,
sheer madness-that is clear now.
don't try to explain it, because it's all
been washed away by the frightfui
thing that happened. I'm different
now; you're Different don't know
how we ever thought we could"
There was a silence during which
she looked at him anxiousy, but the
expression on his face did not alter,
and he did not speak.
And what | think we ought TO be
thankful for" she resumed, "is that
AliX would rather-she would rather
have it this way. She told me that
she would be heart-broken if there had
been any actual separation between
me and Martin, and how much worse
that would have been--what we
planned, | mean. She was spared
that, and we were spared-I see it
now-what would have ruined both our
lives, We were brought to our senses
and the awakening only came a little
sooner than it would have come any
way"
Peter had walked to the window,
and was looking out at the shabby
winter trees that were dripping rain,
and at the beaten garden, where the
drenched chrysanthemums had been
bowed TO the soaked earth.
Here, in Dads home" Cherry said,
coming to stand beside him, Il see
how wicked and how mad | was. In
another twenty-fOur hours it would
have been too late-you don't know
how often | wake up in the night and
shiver, thinking that And as ii is,
| am here in the dear old house; and
Martin-well, you can see that even
Martins life is going to be far happier
than it ever was! It's such joy to
me- she added. with the radiant look
she often wore when her husbands
comfort was under consideration, ito
feel that we need never worry about
the money end of things-theres
enough for what we need forever!"
(TO BE CONTINUED)