Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1927-08-12
DOROTHY'S
PATCHED
APRON
"a by D. J. wals6.J


- the telephone bell rang behind
her. She turned wiped her
hands hastily on her apron and took
down the receiver. Just as she opened
her lips to say, "Hello!" she heard
her own name spoken in her ear as 1t
WERE
dorothy Baxter2 oh, don't ask
her She comes wearing her apron
never gets out of 1t, you know"
Dorothy hung up the receiver soft
ly. heat that was greater than that
Of her cook-stove played over her
cheeks. She looked down her front
and saw an old checked apron that
bore two patches and carefully
mended tear
"Never gets out of onew The
words still played at her ear. She
had recognized the voice. 1t was that
of her husbands sister, Marllla
Knapp, who lived two doors down.
There had been high wind the night
before and doubtless the wires had be-
come crossed. That was how she had
heard Marllla expressing her opinion
Of her slster-in-law to-whom2 Doro-
thy knew that also. Marilla had been
speaking to Helen Collier, who was
evidently planning a party or some
thing. And Marilla was seeing to 1t
that Dorothy was not to be asked.
OF course Dorothy had always
known that Marilla did not like her,
that she had never recovered from the
resentment she had harbored against
Dorothy for winning Richard Baxter.
Yet in the eleven years that had
passed, Dorothy, in spite of her very
ordinary heritage, had made Richard
a fine wife. She had saved his money,
kept his home, reared five babies to
school age; the youngest was just In
her first primary year. Richard wasn't
a money-maker; he had been more
charming than efficient to begin with,
but life was toning him down so that
he was giving a good account Of him
self. He was fond of his wife, his
children, his home, and Dorothy tried
to have all these to his liking. She
lONtu DltIuIu lhuNh bliG uuu
when she married him and everything
that she did was for the sake of that
love. Even the fact that she must
work while other women played was
to her not an unpleasant one. Her
apron was the insignia Of her high
calling, and after all 1t becdme her
better than an evening gown.
But now Marilla's words had stung
her to new consciousness of herself,
created In her fresh impression OF
her limitations. Marilla did not re-
spect that sacred apron; she made of
1t a joke that could be welded dis
agreeably. Suddenly Dorothy's pa
tient endurance Of Marilla broke down
and tears filled her eyes.
That telephonel Again She turned
her back upon 1t deliberately and
went back to her salad-making. She
would hear no more.
When therefore after few minutes
The door opened and Helen Collier
entered Dorothy received her with
,niilg calm.
LINT your telephone workIng?"
ilc,,n demanded. Il made Genital
'.pf ana ring trying to get you"
went you sit DOWN What Is IT.
'.3ro;hy returned.
"Elmi beautiful salad! Dorothy,
sou re wonder Well, IT'S just this,
Ia swing a little party tonight, just
Il few of my best friends, to meet
,irs. Welton. You know Mrs. Welton2
she's staying at the Harmons. I want
you particularly TO meet her because
what are you shaking your head fort"
81 cant come" Dorothy smiled,
though II little hxedly.
But my dear, | won't take no for
an answer I'll appeal to Richard.
You must come"
"But might wear my apron by mis-
take " Dorothy tried to laugh.
"You may IL you will only come"
'If you want me that much" Dor
othy relented TREMENDOUSLY.
"You know | do, dear"
am the biggest fool to CO." Dor
Othy told herself after Helen Vas gone.
"What made me say l would after
what | heard MarllIa say2 Oh, well,
[ suppose 1t is best to pass 1t all over.
Helen isn't to blame any way"
Dorothy dressed carefully before
supper, knowing that she would have
no time for prlmplng afterward. With
six to feed and Dlckey boy to put to
bed at seven and probably WOO to
sleep, and a dozen other important
things to see to, 1t would take clever
managing on her part to get to Helens
at eight.
While she flew from this thing to
that one thought kept uppermost in |
her mind.
81 mustn't forget to take OFF my
apron"
When at the last minute she stood |
before Richard for inspection she
asked anXiously:
"Richard, are you sure | haven't |
MY apron onf'
Her husband scanned her tenderly,
then drew her forward into hearty
embrace.
"You are all right, Dor. l would
match you up against any OF them"
Dorothy thrilled
"YOu mean, Rich, that do not show
ruch wear and tear after eleven
years"
lie smiled into her eager, upturned
face
"You nre liitlr plumper, perhaps,