Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1926-08-06
THE
SURPRISE
VISIT
BY JANE o'RYAN
20. 1919. western Newspaper union3

n HANA was oSANNBt anu NV ''NNNNN'
sleep desperately. As Beatrice
IL turned to leave she noticed that
the window shade was not
drawn, so tiptoed to the window and
with infinite care began to draw the
shade down.
Suddenly, without any warning, 1t
rebelled and jerked the cord from her
hand, and doubtless to show its pref
erence for a high place In life, flew to
the top of the window, with a rattle
that made Beatrice cry out in protest
and turn alarmed eyes to Bert, who
awoke with a start and half sat up.
"What In thunder was thatT he
cried in pain.
"pm so sorry" walled Beatrice,
"but I thought the light might annoy
you and"
"If l can only get little sleep"
groaned Bert, "rll be all right and
ready for my days work tomorrow.
Much depends upon my feeling fit"
"Now, now" Beatrice protested,
don't criticize yourself again Sup
pose you did get angry with your boss
every one knows Mr.. Wolford upsets
people, and II he is going to refuse to
give you an increase because you lost
your temper, when you do such heaps
Of work." Her voice became I'M
steady.
Bert kissed her tenderly. eve need
that increase tremendously, darling"
They had married on love and high
optimism.
Gently Beatrice pressed her hus-
band back against the pillow. You're
to sleep, dearest she commanded.
He nodded, then murmured with in
finite feeling, "oh, for n steak, love
ly, juicy, expensive steak"
"And vegetables of all descriptions"
whispered Beatrice. Then sprang to
her feet and ran swiftly to the door
AS It closed after her Bert sighed
1t was hard on Beatrlce-fOur
months Of slim plcklngs. OF course
they did not intend to complaint but 1t
was strange that Aunt Amanda, who
seemed to be fond of Beatrice, acted
so Indifferent She had returned
from Europe three weeks ago and had
not even let them know where she
was staying. He shrugged, mentally.
They could get on without her help T;
and as he sank bllssfully into sleep,
her help became Of less and less i'm
portance, then Of no importance-then,
with an imperatlveness that dragged
Bert back from the bllssful depths, the
dog next door barked
Bert sprang from the bed dashed to
the window, opened It with a crash
and leaned out. There was the abom-
lnation In the courtyard, having a
wonderful time bounding about In
sheer Joy over nothing.
spike" was the name bestowed
upon this foolish pup by his small
owner; but Bert had given him one
he thought far more appropriate, and
which the dog evidently recognized as
justified, for he always promptly
obeyed, as he did now, when Bert
called-"Hl, there, GomelT
The dog looked up inqulringly and
wagged his stubby tall. Bert threw
him a bone from an array he kept
upon the window hedge. The dog
sprang to 1t and Bert returned to bed.
Once again he was sinking into the
all-satlsfylng depths Of slumber, when
from the courtyard came voice that
drew him forth and laid bare his ear
to -throated notes, accompanied
on harsh and untuned plano. let
me die for thee" the singer pleaded
you bet WILL" cried Bert, spring.
Ing to his feet and strlding to the win
dow. Cautiously, he looked out, then
picked up a pebble from the SILL IN
serted It In the sling of handy bean
shooter, aimed
'I'll die" the singer insisted.
Bert let go and the little concert
came to an abrupt end.
After a dazed look about, with his
hand on his assaulted chest, the sing
er departed; so did Bert, for his bed,
upon which he dropped and curled up
like leaf Of autumn.
Then the door opened cautiously
and Beatrlce's nose and one eye APP
psdred In the crevlce.
Are you awake, dearf" she whs-
pered.
mo, I'm dead" Bert groaned, "and
| want to stay dead"
The door opened violently, bringing
Beatrice's startled face to view; then
with a rush forward she cried "oh,
don't talk that way; did you hear the
dog bark and the man sing?"
He nodded, grlmly.
"well," Beatrice pleaded, TRY to
sleep now"
It seemed as though he were willing
to do so; but at that moment the lr-
represslble Gomel, fearful, no doubt,
that any one might think he had
changed his mind about the joy Of lIv-
ing, cast aside the upyieldlng bone
and began to give hilarious demon
stratiOn Of his conviction. Bert
sprang. to his feet, as he grltted his
teeth
On Monday he started for business
In a faded condition. The work was
continuous but he kept his temper
lured by the magic Of the word,
"ralse." He was certain Of success,
for Mr. Wolford had become more
than appreclative; he was actually
chummy, and there was every reason
to believe that Saturday would bring
the reward.
so on Friday evening Beatrice and
he planned the celebration dinner
steak, all the vegetables in and out
of cans n simple salad and for dps-