The Lee County journal. (Leesburg, Ga.) 1904-19??, 1922-11-24
A SILENT MEMBER
sy MoLLlE MArAER

Patience took stock Of herself. con-
temptuously. 4N 81 s"H DOW
"If there was just one thing that
could do perfectly" she thought.
"As 1t is, I'm an Indifferent musician,
farewell, hardly fair typist and
l can plan or create dresses much
better than can sew them 81
Wlstfully she repeated her thought
to her busy sister Rosallnd, when
Rosalind came in from the music
classes. Absently, her mind on the dull
pupils she had left, the sister made
answer. f.f ~. e*t3" t"'
"Don't worry your head; Patty; you
will come into your own, some day"
sand in the long watt" Patience
replied, 'T'm inflicted upon you, Rosa
lind. Because your friends are as
generous as yourself, is really no rea-
son that I should burden the--frm."
A laughing face appeared In the
doorway Of the little fiat. "Firm?"
repeated the newcomer, "what pre-
tentious name for three unreasonably
ambitious students" a' +it'3 t'4 IS
Beatrice came into the room. "Dear-
est girl" she seriously addressed Pat
ty, "you are the silent member OF our
firm; we just couldn't get along at all
without your bright presence. You are
the flower in the desert, the courage
In despair. Is dinner ready? Lucy
May grows slower every day." y
Patty jumped up from, the daven-
port. "Pll see," she offered.
Lucy May In the small kitchen
said: "No, dinner amt ready"
Patty was placing the cloth for the
evening meal. II am trying to hurry.
things up" she promised. ,a.f Z
II have been speaking at the Z. w."
Beatrice explained, land have talk
at the high school this evening. ! am
sure / do not know how shall ever
get my notes in order for the talk at
the federated clubs tomorrow. And
then there is my blue satin, in woeful
need Of pressing"
"Oh, I'H>do that for you," Patty
called. She was putting the roses on
the table. Dinner ready" she cheer
fully announced.
"How," asked Beatrice at table,
"went the classes today. Rosalind?"
1.-THE Baldwin children" Rosalind
answered-"and Of course my most
desirable pupils from a financial stand
point, are at times, almost impossible"
Breezily, Nan, the ever late, entered.
II have designed a perfectly wonder
full dress for Mrs. Rich COmpt," she
began enthusiastically, ''but there Is
a detail about the front panel which
does not please her. We almost came
to blows, regarding lines. ! deserted,
making dinner pretense for depar.
ture, but tomorrow ! shall have to so
over the whole thing again"
The fiat vacated that evening,
the busy friends going on to various
affairs that claimed their presence.
Patience, humming her gay little song,
examined carefully Mans drawing Of
the disputed creation. Then, happily,
Patty smiled, while her sure fingers
traced a copy. The panel referred to
was undoubtedly improved In the,
effort. Beatrice had left her notes
of tomorrow's talk In o confusing pile
on her dresser. Patty attacked them,
frown of perplexity wrinkling her
pretty brow. The typewriter was
huinming, when a dark head appeared
in the doorway. . .s Is.
II will be very good, and read my /
paper in quiet" begged masculine /
voice, if you will let me come in,
Patty. You are, see" the man
smiled, "idling as usual. Where are
the celebrities2" NJ.
"Sit down. David" the girl care
lessly invited, "I'll be through with
this, in a moment. It's coming out
fine" a.. s ia
"Whatever is tit" David remarked
inquiringly, but he was not informed.
Beatrice's notes. neatly labeled, were
in her club book, when Patty returned
to the room. M H st7tE PR,
''You4 will be glad to be alone for
another little minute. won't you,
David" she asked tentatively while
IL have something to press in the
kitchen" b.. ~ ;ag,s $sI m3
"Of course" he answered. 2a't s
Alphabetically she seated herself be-
fore the telephone stand. Es12
81 thought" she explained, iii
might be better to give the message
this evening, so could have the chill
dren- over early-just after Rosalind
goes out. She gives few home les
sons in the morning, and the Baldwin
children are difficult, David. They just
must not spoil the musical and their
mother must be pleased, and proud OF
them. can make the drill song a
SORT of game. You know / am not ex-
pert in music, David--or in any other
thing" ~ 1853 i .l ,as t3
Patty's voice was mOmentarily
doleful. But only momentarily. Y
will have those children, enjoying that
drill" she enthused. "You'll see,
David" Signing 10 relief, she looked
back at him, as slDe arose. b
ut is settled" Patience said, "the
Baldwin children will be here in the
morning. Now that is a secret, and
you are not to tell. ], you know, am
the silent partner Of our otherwise