Evening star., 1924-01-20
Mrs. Dutton and Mrs. Pine
By Juliet Wi1bor Tompkins.
Question Whether Good Cooking and Housekeeping Are After ALI
of the andC ontentedH Household

what further miracles she could ac-
complish.
Gloria's fountain had been trimmed
with grass and tulips. and the g1or-
ious baby in the middle held his usual
audience of touched women. A thrill
OF the old pleasure stirred in Gloria s
dropping heart: the thing did have
life, charm. humor. Then a warm
contralto voice drew her attention.
isn't he the cutest little tike." Ii
was saying. A big woman in rich
black silk of an ancient cut. her white
head bonneted with black velvet and
pansies. white ruches at her neck and
wrists. was smiling on the fountain.
her handsome, rustic face aglow with
maternal tenderness.
Don't he remind you of Bobs?"
the hearty voice went on. ''He was
just such a little rascal. Remem-
ber-"
A SHIFT in the crowd revealed her
companion standing at the POOLS edge.
Jim EaWrences eyes. fixed on the
fountain. were not critical or unkind
merely thoughtful; yet Gloria
Her cheeks burned while she stood
biindly in front OF "A cord, black
brook that had been flowing between
banks of violet snow at every acad-
emy exhibition since she could re-
member.
* x Z =
T>HEN she heard her name spoken
quickly. gladly, and Lawrence
was greeting her with anything but
scorn. He was even touchingly happy
at the meeting. Gloria, lifted so sud
denly out of her prostration, shone
on him.
How is Mrs. Dutton" he asked at
once.
Splendid. At the height of her
powers" Gloria said. and they
laughed over all that expressed to
them both.
II brought Mrs. Pine with me: she
adores pictures" He glanced over his
shoulder TO see that Mrs. Pine was
all right. You must meet her"
"Oh, I want to-" Gloria exclaimed.
picture, and stood before it looking
ndpplIy at SdCN
she is enthusiastic about your
fountain" he went on. thinking TO
give pleasure.
Gloria flushed.
You hated it," she said cheerfully
I've begun to hate 1t myself"
He was surprised. There was no
fiuster of denial. and she saw taa: he
had not really been scorning her
work.
Your workmanship is extraordin-
ariIy good,' was all he said.
1t was. She knew that II want
to get into a broader field, nave
been too contented where j was" she
explained ut is dreadful limita-
ton to be born loving to laugh and to
feed people
Il would rather have your laugh in
the world than some sculpture" he
observed. II haven't yet tried your
food
He paused suggestively.
Mrs. Dutton has enough for three
tonight, but not for four" she told
him gravely. Chops won't stretch.
II you and Mrs. Pine
''Oh, I think we will let Piney go
home. Unless you consider a chap
eron---"
"Chaperon! Wait till you see Mrs
Dutton." she said, and Lawrence
laughed out so joyously that Mrs.
Pine, covertly watching. smiled over
him with eyes tenderly nlisted, then
took pains to lose herself in the
crowd.
You must meet Mrs. Pine" he said
again, and they made a feint of look
ing for her
TT never occurred to me to take
Mrs. Dutton to parties" Gloria sound
ed worried.
"Ah. well, Piney is very lonely
without the boys. I take her to ev-
erything I can. 1t Is SO easy" he
added with mild scorn for himself
Easy to be nice to lonely, elderly
people?" Gloria shook her bright
head. Either you are very good, or
you're very Old"
"Or very lazy?" he suggested You
see. 1 am always success with
Piney. I don't have to lift finger"
Are you working very hard with
me now?" she wanted to know.
He sought the exact truth. NO,
but I am nervous. You have a spien-
dor-I don't see how I can hope to
keep up with you for very long"
X X X
CHE bent forward to examine a pic
~ ture of three dull-looking ladies
drinking tea with much detail; the
chintz Of the hangings was especial
ly we'll reproduced.