The Holly chieftain., 1922-04-27
By
KATHLEEN
NORRIS

She spent much of her free time by
her husbands side, amusing him az
skillfully as mother. He was get
ting so popular that she had to be
ready for callers every day. Would he
like her TO 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 well; they would
thlk.
Martins day was so filed and
divided with small pleasures that it
was apt to amaze him by passing too
quickly. He had special breakfasts,
he had his paper. his hair was brushed
and his bed remade dozen times
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 pleasantest 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 1t a place of
delight. One day Cherry brought home
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.
Cherry" Peter said, on a wet Janu-
ary day, when he came upon her in the
dining room, contentedly arranging a
fragrant mass of wet violets, II think
Martins out Of the woods now. 1 be-
lieve I'll be moving along!"
"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 CO." he added, mildly.
She made no further protest.
But wherew She asked, sympa-
thetically.
Il don't know. I shall take Buck
start off toward the big mountains.
I'll write you now and then, of course
I'm going home. nrst!"
"Just now" Cherry unused, sadly,
perhaps 1t is best-for you--to get
awayl Now that Martin is SO much
better" she added, in little burst. II
do feel SO sorry for you, Peter! I
know how you feel. shall miss her
always. of course" said Cherry. ''but
have him."
II try not to think of her" Peter
said, f1inging 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 frlghtful
thing that happened. I'm different
now; you're different don't know
how we ever thought We could"
There was silence during which
she looked at him anxiously, but the
expression on his face did not alter,
and he did not speak,
"And what l 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 IL 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 We're brought to our senses,
and the awakening only came 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, II see
how wicked and how mad was. In
another twenty-four hours 1t would
have been too late-you don't know
how often wake up in the night and
shiver, thinking that! And as it is,
| am here in the dear old house; and
Martin-weil, you can see that even
Martins life is going to be far happier
than 1t ever was! It's such joy to
me-" she added, with the radiant look
she often wore when her husbands
comfort was under consideration, "to
feel that we need never worry about
the money end of things-there's
enough for what we need fOrever!"
CrO BE CoNTINUED)