Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1924-05-16
PARADISE FOR
BOTH OF THEM
Dy MoLLIE MATHER
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

everything was against him. PAU
Hammond was discouraged. In the
first place, he had been so sure of the
Weldon building venture, and had not
only lost every cent he put into 1t, but
whom he advised. Then Uncle VIII
liam dying, bequeathed to this nephew
his large summer estate.
Uncle William had loved solitude
and beautiful scenery. and with his
fine city bachelor apartment had been
happily content to spend, with few
chosen friends, the greater part Of his
time in--Paradise, so the estate was
named.
Paul finding that he must give up
his own apartment In the same city,
decided that the estate might provide
home for his mother and Edith and
the child until he might make other
plans.
The agent suggested that the gar
dener's cottage be rented to camp
ers, and 1t was possible also that the
tiny lodge could be made use Of in
that manner. young fellows" the
agent assured Paul, "care only for
roof over their heads, when lake Is
near"
The cottage, as the gardeners house,
was rented. Pauls mother informed
him on one Of his visits that a very
nice young woman had taken posses
sion. "She was glad to take advan'
tage of the modest rent" Mrs. Ham
mond said. "Joan Kenzie was left by
her father in very reduced clrcum-
stances, and, unused to business life,
her health broke under the strain. she
has made the lodge quite habltable
and has for her only companion dog
named Mlckie. Dottie has taken
great fancy to Miss Kenzle and her
dog"
Paul listened In silence; fr0wn
creased his forehead. Kenzie had
been the chief loser in the Weldon
building failure. Kenzie, eager as
the man whose mistaken judgment had
led him on to loss. Paul thought he
could recall having heard Of daugh-
ter. but though closely associated In
business affairs. each knew little Of
the home life OF the other.
And here, by strange fate, Andrew
Kennels daughter was forced to oc-
cupy the humble cottage on Paul
Hammond's bequeathed lands.
He arose abruptly as his mother fin
ished her CONFIDENCE, and walked be-
tween rows OF cathedral trees toward
the lodge by the gates. The dog,
Mickie, came rollickLng to meet him;
but there was more than glad welcome
In the dogs maneuvers. Paul realized
that the Alrdale was trying to lead
him toward the shabby cottage. AS
he drew near he saw through the open
door woman's figure lying prone upon
the floor; heard moan. She looked
up as he entered, her face CHASTITY
white. Yet the young woman forced
a smile. "Mlckie went for help" she
said. Il fell from the ladder; was
trying to patch the leaking ceiling.
MY arm, think, is broken" sighed
the girl. my ankle, too, pains fright
fully. tainted"
She showed signs Of repeating the
faint, in her effort to talk. Paul
stopped and very gently raised the
small figure in his arms you are
so small" he said at will be no
task to carry you to the house. Then
| will hurry after physician. Ny
mother shall care for you until you
are well again"
When Joan Kenzie was strong
enough to argue, she insisted that this
was too much of n burden for the
elder woman to bear. "You could
send me to free hospital" Joan told
Paul Hammond. "I'm sorry / have
not means at present to hire other
care"
Paul, looking into the brave blue
eyes appraised In gratitude, made con-
fesslon. ut was l." he said, "who en-
couraged your father TO invest what
he had toiled to save In the venture
which lost us both our money"
Joan nodded 81 remembered your
name" she said. at first did
blame you in my lonely bitterness But
after | had come here and witnessed
your own need--well, II was just a
mistaken chance that you and father
were willing to take. I do not feel
that you owe me even this kind care"
"T'here Is no debt where 1t is love
that gives, dearie," old Mrs. Hammond
said. so Joan stayed on IN the great
house, and was very welcome to the
lonely woman. Dottle was kept away.
that she might not. In her exuberance,
weary the invalid. But in starllt eve
nlngs when the lake was like a sill
yer sheet, when the fragrance Of flow.
ers came TO them, Joan Kenzie sat
with Paul who tenderly bore her
there, out In Paradise garden.
On one Of these enchanting eve
nlngs Joan said abruptly to the man
at her side: II must go away; must
look for work. There was an adver-
tIsement In last nights paper"
Then at the thought Of separation
Paul Hammond spoke the words Of
longing In his heart you must not
go, Joan, I-love you Never in my
life have known love- other than that
given to my mother and sister, as 1
cared for them. Edith came TO our
home early widowed Now she Is
about TO marry again. There will be
only mother then. VIII you come to
me, JOan-my wifef"
"When / came here" she answered
him, II thought that Dottle's mother
was your wife. She spoke only Of
mother and grandmother. oh. there
seemed to be 50 many barrlersl" Joan
laughed softly Barriers no mora
This Is Pnrndlse lndeed.n