The L'Anse sentinel., 1923-06-08
HER DAY
BY MoLLIE MATHER

~ pOTCI lOOhluB UP iutO the ldCc VI
the woman whom he had, three years
ago. asked to marry him. Patience
had been true and loving, smilingly
acquiescent during all that time to
his plan Of preparation for their fu-
ture home. jeffrey. in the first place,
told her that he could not be satisfied
to take a wife until he might be able
to give to that wife the comforts and
surety of things which were her due.
So he had installed the big village
store which was to grow and have the
patronage Of all the far country
side.
Jeffrey had grown in confidence Of
manner under his fancee's constant
and encouraging admiration, and he
was now, as he had not been In the
early days, popular with his towns
people. Patience, on the other hand,
had lost much of her former bright
gayety In wearisome, though ever
cheerful, attendance upon an invalided
father. And Patience, because of her
lovers unreasoning Jealousy, missed
many town pleasures which she might
otherwise have enjoyed.
Jeffrey had a growing acquaintance
with customers in adjacent towns.
And as much Of his time was spent in
soliciting trade. Jeffrey had, as well,
become acquainted with daughters of
his customers, who watched eagerly
and all unBnowing Of Patience and her
betrothal, FOR the good-looking, young
storekeeper from Lynden, who favored
them with drives about the. country
side, or stopped over for an evening
now and then in their hospitable fam
lily homes.
Jeffrey sat on the lower step of the
porch and gazed critically up at Pa
tience.
"Patty," asked Jeffrey--a strange
something in his tone strangely dis
heartened her "why are you so pale
lately; your cheeks when I first knew
you were pink as wild roses. Re-
member that fresh Dickson who used
to call you wild Rose? And-you
must not mind my frankness, dear
you don't care about musllns and pret-
ty things any more, do you?
"Why don't you 60 into the city
some day and see the doctor about
your nervousness? Gordon is great
specialist. He might be able to bring
your color back. and that merry way
you used to have. You are so quiet,
Patty"
Thoughtfully, she agreed. 81 do
feel tired most Of the time, JEFF. was
wondering IL regular treatment might
not help me to be more my old self.
Doctor Wells declares that l need
change Of scene and diversion" II
was Patty's old merry laugh that rip
pied.
"He might also have ordered dia-
monds and trip to Europe. Good
night, jeffrey"
She glanced up for a moment, per-
plexedly. Then the whimsical smile
followed her momentary wlstfulness.
Jeffrey was riding on his way without
a backward look. Could II be possible,
she asked herself. that this growing
neglect Of his, this apparent disap-
pointment IN herself, was remotely
responsible for this new troubled
more unfit? Hannah. the village wom-
an of all work. agreed to stay with
Patience's father on the following day
while the faithful daughter went to
the city to consult the specialist Cor
don. She had been afraid to meet this
parsonage of healing fame. but when
he came In his kindly way toward her,
Patience was no longer awed or fear
full. An immediate confidence pos
sessed her in his power to help. Under
his direction she divided her days of
care to find unexpected hours Of relax
alton; under the sympathy Of his in
terest she put worries aside.
Jeffrey. coming upon one OF his fit
ful visits. regarded his patient love
doubtfully. The pink that he had so
loved was delicately tinting, her
cheeks once more. Too, Patience wore
a crisp, pink muslin dress and her hair
showed scarcely a silver thread that
had of late powdered the brown. But
still she was just Patience, mending
and rocking content on the same old
porch.
Dorothy Danvers, whom he had
taken so often to drive, Dorothy, whose
very up-to-date home had grown to
be his stopping place-well Dorothy
was different. with her unfailing ad-
mirers to be conquered-as he, jeffrey,
could conquer them.
Yes. II was time to break the news
to Patience. Che, in her usual humil-
ity, would understand that a man
grew with the times. That he required
a jolly companion and pal for wife
Dorothy had explained to him the DIFF
ference over the old and new ideal.
Patience surprised him uncomfort-
ably in her reception Of his confidence.
AS he broke II to her that he desired
to be free, to ask another to be his
wife. the blue eyes Of Patience
widened. not as in sorrow, for at the
same time she smiled. Her deep sigh
sounded like sigh of relief. Then
her hands went out to him.
"Jeff. DEAR" Patience said, IT am 50
glad that we have both found our
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