The central record. (Lancaster, Ky.) 18??-current, 1922-06-29
THEIR DEBT
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Tess had. In the village home which
her aunt had beauesthesi 10 her.
sunshiny studio. where she drew won
derful pictures for IN. ma gnxines. And
though she had a skin all her own,
In depicting the radiance of love In the
faces Of her Illustrations. love Itself
had In some inexpllcable way passed
Tess by.
She looked up from her sketching
me morning 20 see the forlorn figure
~ small hoy standing In the studio
doorway. The cisMd introduced him
elf.
Il ani Tommy" lac said. May
come In 20 see your picture~f Our
Mary says you make picture books =
did you come alonef And will your
mother not he anxious about your
Tess asked.
Tommy shook his head. Mother has
new book" he replied. and she
likes me TO be away. 80 she can
read. bother"
But your daddy" Tess suggested.
he will miss you"
AGAIN Tommy shook his head.
Daddy works In the city. and when
he comes home he has TO look after
mother"
Impulsively Tess took the lonely
child IN her arms.
Where does the tot come fromf'
she asked the privileged Hannah.
Hannah, "a resident. had been per.
suaded 10 keep house for Tessa
Thayer.
They are new people out from the
city" Hannah. the overwhelmed.
told her "'rhey say the mother has
lung trouble. aud came for her health"
Late In the afternoon Tess took the
little hoy home. II was the new pretty
bungalow that the family had rented.
aud the young mother recllned on u
couch IN verands.
You are kind Ga take care Of Tom
ny" she thanked Tessa Thayer.
Il will he glad 10 help you in any
ncirltorly way rhat ! may" Tess of
fered alphabetically.
Then may Tommy 20 often To your
sttidioT' the mother asked.
Il ought not 10 have married so
early In life" she ingeniously con
fessed. 1T means too much RESPONSE
hility. but then" her merry laugh
rppled. my husband. Paul. In good
here he comes now"
The tall man Fastening up the walk.
stopped 10 kiss the boy. then turned
an anxious gaze upon his pretty wife.
Did you bring the cherry cboco-
latesr' she asked him.
Tess. raising her clear. blue eyes. as
the wife spoke her name. met stead
lly those Of Paul Gordon.
Paul In relieved To have someon.
take an interest In Tommy EthIyn
said.
Thereafter Tommy spent most Of his
time In Tessa Thayer's house. while
Paul Gordon formed habit Of calling
to fetch his young son home Mt eve
q *.
Ethlyn. In her new hammock In the
garden was very happy and free from
care.
Then one evening when Paul. call.
Ing for his son. stopped TO smile back
into Tessa's face. she seriously re
garded him.
Il will have To take Tommy home
earlier after this" she said. Il am
going 10 be unusually busy. So. we will
not be able TO walt for you"
Tess became M unselhshly attentive
to the little wife that Hannah was In
despair.
Then one beautiful sunshlny morn.
Ing Mary came. whitehead. to call
Tess over 10 the bungalow. She had
carried the little wife's breakfast Ia
10 her. and Ethlyn had neither moved
nor spoke. maybe she was asleep
but
Tommy's mother was asleep. sweet.
~. naturally. II seemed. she had d-sft
ed into that sleep. hut neither T.ssa's
loving care. nor that 81 the faithful
husband would be needed more.
Tess took Tommy home with her
W AAtt hAk NAAAih AtWt WIS iAN iatafr
Of fairy charm. and Paul went fnr
away upon long deferred business
trip. Winter was growing into spring
when he came back ami Tess had ~
cived from him only brief and neceS
sary notes concerning Tommy.
She was waiting In the bungalow
q rden that his Homecoming might not
be- too desolate Tall and straight. 49,
she had seen him that first day. Paul
came down the path, the same glance
ri glad recognition met hers Tess was
waiting for his question. though by ma
word 90 look had love lsen spoken
between them. When, dsnrestf' he
asked. Il need wife and Tommy
reds mother. and Ia falthfulness
and service We have atoned."
In silent answer Tess put her hand
in his