The Sneedville news. (Sneedville, Tenn.) 191?-19??, 1922-09-22
A SILENT MEMBER
BY MOllIE MATHER

| ttlnptuOuSly.
IF there was Just one thing tina,
I Gould do perfectly" she thought
"As IL is. I'm an Indifferent musician
a fair-well. hardly fair typist aid
l can plan or create dresses much
better than i can sew them"
Wistfully she repeated her thought
to her busy sister Rosalind. when
Rosalind came i'm from the music
classes. Absently, her mind on the duh
pupils she had left, the sister made
answer.
Don't worry your head. Patty; you
Will come into your own. some day"
"ADd In the long watt" Patience
replied. I'm inflicted upon you, Rosa.
lind. Because your friends are as
generous as yourself, is really no rea-
son that / should burden the-firm."
A laughing face appeared I'm the
doorway Of the little Hat. "Firmf"
repeated the newcomer, "what pre-
tentious name for three unreasonably
ambitious students"
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 mt all
without your bright presence. You are
the flower In the desert, the courage
in despair. Is dinner readyi Lucy
May grows slower every day."
Patty jumped up from the daven-
port. "Tll 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.
II have been speaking ut the Y. W."
Beatrice explained, ''and have talk
ut the high school this evening. i 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'll do that for you," Patty
called. She was putting the roses on
the table. Dinner ready" she cheer
fully announced.
"How." asked Beatrice ut table.
''went the classes today, Rosalind2"
The Baldwin children" Rosalind
answered-"and Of course my most
desirable pupils from 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 10
a detail about the froat panel which
does not please her. We almost came
to blows. regarding lines. ! deserted.
making dinner . pretense fer depar.
ture, but tomorrow shall have to %
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.
carefully Mans drawing Of |
the disputed creation. Then. happily,
Patty smiled. while her sure fingers
raced a copy. The panel referred 70
was undoubtedly improved in the
sffort. Beatrice had left her notes
II tOrnorrow's talk In confusing pile
IN her dresser. Patty attacked them.
| frown Of perplexity wrInkling her
pretty brow. The typewriter was
cumming, when dark head appeared
n the doorway.
II will be very good. and read my
'aper In quiet" begged n masculine
dice, II you will let me come I'm.
ATTY. You are, ! see" the man
mlled. "ldling as usual. Where are
he celebritles7"
"Sit down. David" the girl care
essly invited. 'T'll be through with
his, in a moment. It's coming out
me-"
"whatever is It'll" David remarked
1qulrlngly. but he was not Informed.
notes. neatly labeled. were
! her club book. when Patty returned
D the room.
"You will be glad TO be alone for
mother little minute, won't you.
avid" she asked tentatively, "while
Il have something To press IN the
ItchenI'
"Of course" he answered
Alphabetically she seated herself be-
re the telephone stand.
81 thought" she explained, eft
light be better To give the message
is evening. so I could have the chill
'en over early-jus: after RosaIind
'es out. She gives n few home les
ms In the morning. and the Baldwin
Ildren are difficult, David. They just
ust not spoil the musical: and their
other must be psased. and proud Of
en-. can make the drill song
ri Of game. You know ! am not ex-
ri In music. David-or In any other
ing"
Paity's voice was momentariiy
leful. But only momentarily. 81
n have those children. enjoying that
IT," she enihused. you'll see.
lvid." Signing In relief. she looked
tx at him. ~ she arose.
at IL settled" Patience said. "the
ldwIn children will he here In the
,rning. Now that 10 . secret. and
n are not to tell. I. you know. am
, silent partner Of our otherwise
ted firm-of four"
Very deliberately the man folded his