Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1927-04-22

work to help you along, that's all"
but this is not at all necessary"
"Oh, yes, 1t is. Why, the work l
have here viii make the first payment
on rug. can get 1t on the INSTALL
ment plan, you know"
but, he began. Il don't want you to
do this!"
"Now don't say worldl" she
coaxed. 81 know, darling, how hard
you have TO work, and how worried
you are over the business going badly"
But it's not going badly" he
snorted. Don't tell anyone that"
"Why, of course not. / know you |
haven't wanted to worry even me by |
saying anything. I'm not going to
ask for things. I'm going to try to
help you by earning them so you won't
be bothered"
1t was quite useless for John to
buster and protest. She was so
CHEEKY and smiling over It all that he
was entirely nonplused. Besides she
ran the machine at top speed while
he was speaking.
Not seeing his wife make any move
towards the dining room, and not be-
ing able to make much conversational
Roadway above the clatter Of the sew
ing machine, Joe went up to her and
touched her on the shoulder.
"Come, Mary Do drop that. and
let us have dinner"
She paused long enough to look up
very sweetly and say: you'll find 1t
all ready for you on the table. l can't
stop now, or I won't have that work
finished when promised. You know
you say you're not buslnesslike IL
you're not prompt"
But you must"
Listen, DEAR" she interrupted, II
know you won't mind just taking some
cold scraps, when I'm so busy. And
I've saved quite bit on the dinner,
too. Oh, I'm learning to economize,"
she laughed.
"Economize," he growled. "Come to
dinner"
He even tried to drag her from her
work. After he had gone In the other
room she shook so with laughter, she
almost broke a needle. She would
have given something to see his face
when he sat down to those scraps
But after all 1t was quite enough for
Mary to see his face when he came
back. She looked up shyly, and be-
held countenance in which vexation,
revolt and bewilderment were about
mixed.
"Do you think I'm canary" he
asked.
why no, dear, you're not singing"
"Pm not likely to when I'm starvr
Ing" he snapped.
"Oh, wasn't there enough2" she
asked, sweetly surprised.
Mary was naturally In doubt as to
the result of her plan, but she meant
to carry it out TO the bitter end
The next evening they were Invited
to dine at the Fasons. The prospect
OF getting a decent meal caused Beard
to accept with alacrity. Mary put on
a gown rather older and more shabby
than was strictly necessary. Joe did
not dare to demonstrate because he
had told her a short time before that
1t looked well enough to 20 anywhere.
But on arriving at his partners he felt
pretty sharp pang OF modification
at the contrast between the handsome
ly-gOwned hostess, and his badly
dressed wife. He wondered he had
never noticed II before. He concluded
1t was because Mary had always made
the best of everything.
The dinner was an exceedingly good
one with several courses, all nicely
served by the neat maid. Mary had a
keen sense Of humor, and told some
good stories As John expressed 1t on
leaving, they had "a perfectly scrumD-
tious time"
Beard felt a decided obligation to
return his partners hospitality, and
invited the couple to dinner. In con-
sultation with his wife he tried to i'm
press upon her the Fason dinner az
far as possible. Mary declared she
would do her best.
When the guests arrived they found,
to Joe's modification, piles Of unfn-
ished garments still llttering the room.
Mary apologlzed, saying she had been
trying so hard to finish the work, she
had not had time to get II out Of the
way. Fason looked extremely sur
prised at the state Of things, and Ms
wife exclaimed: 81 don't see how you
do It all Look here, Mary, you've
got to call halt, or you'll kill your
self"
II don't want her TO do It," protest
ed Beard, but she won't listen to rea-
son"
81 believe In living as you 90 along"
said Fason. 81 know you're sailing
your money down In government
bonds Well, that's all right. But
maybe you won't be here when the
time comes to enjoy It,"
perhaps you're right" murmured
Beard.
The dinner was well cooked, but ex-
tremely simple, and the small roast
had to be closely carved to 90 around.
Mary and Blanche Fason exchanged
knowing looks. They we're together In
the plot After the guests were gone,
Joe said: "Mary, you've been putting
me through series Of humlliations--"
Eyes" she broke In, and you have
been putting me through a series Of
humiiatlons' for nine years. When
found out II was all uncalled for, /
determined to either leave you, or cure
you. Which shall II Der"
Its the cure, dear. Now let us be-
gin to live"
Mary buried her face on his shout
der, and her arms around his neck
seemed to seal the compact