The guardian. [volume] (Boston, Mass.) 1901-1960, 1939-01-14
SHORT
SHORT
STORY

he had announced. eff you have a
new suit now, it will look like rag
before summer. We are more pros
porous than we were, but not that
prosperous"
Easter was coming, and after five
frugal years, Mary felt she must
have something really new and COM
plete this spring. How she had
worked and saved since they were
married! And John never even
seemed to notice what she had on,
no matter how ragged or faded her
gown. 1t had not been so when they
had eagerly undertaken the business
of life together.
She slipped her old coat over a
patched dress, pulled a worn hat
over her lovely, tumbled curls, and
went out. Marigold Aberdene lived
two blocks down the street. She
made candy to sell, and at this mo-
ment she would be pouring delicious
butterscotch into molds, after which
she would rest until it hardened.
Come in" she called to her
friends knock, and Mary put dis
contented face around the edge of
the door. Then she slid to a stool by
the window and faced Marigold.
"What on earth is the matter?"
Marigold dripped her spoon heed
lessly over the marble slab, seeing
something new in Mary's attitude.
"You look as though you had lost
your last friend"
II have" Mary's eyes brimmed.
Dramatically she threw off her coat.
''See that old coat? See this patched
dress? See this old, battered hat?
Wouldn't you think John would have
more pride in his wife, now we are
doing well? He won't even buy me
an Easter suit, and have worn
these old things for years to save
his precious money Oh, was glad
too, while there was need; but now
oh, Marigold, you always know
what the matter is-What makes
John so cruel?"
Marigold looked her over with an
appraising eye. you've better
things than that in your closet, May
blossom. Why don't you put them
on?"
Don't you see that have got to
save them? If John won't let me
buy anything, how am l to go out
with him, if use my two or three
good things, too? A suit is so prac-
teal love tailored things. What
ails him, Marigold?"
Marigold's eyes were understand
ing. She knew perfectly what allied
John, but if she told Mary
MARY" she said, instead, why
don't you make that pretty after
noon dress from the smoky blue
georgette you bought at the sale?
1t would be so nice to wear in the
afternoon = when John comes
home"
"Marigold, John never even looks
at me! 1t isn't the least bit of use
to dress fer John. Oh, 1 didn't
know that married life would be
like this!"
Marigold was musing to herself.
THAT blue gown with cape back,
and a new, beautiful water-wave
such as you can do so we'll with that
hair of yours, Mary. I'd be willing
to wager John would look at you.
1t isn't Easter yet, you know. If
you bring the goods over here you
can use my machine and have it
done by tomorrow.
Mary stitched, tried on, and
stitched again. And soon the gown
was finished. Scornfully she threw
the faded covering (Which could not
be called a dress) into the ragbag
and hurried, while the biscuits were
browning, to smooth her hair and
put on the lovely blue gown. She
set the table with the delft ware
which had not been out of the closet
since Christmas, and put a dainty
snowy damask for centerpiece.
1t was all very simple and very
pretty. The effort at beauty with
love behind it brought a flush to
Mary's cheeks, sparkle to her blue
eyes. She knew John would be sur
prised. A part of that flush was
shame that she had so far forgotten
beauty in economy that these things
would seem unusual.
She heard him now drag reluctant
feet along the hall. She realized
with a pang that he dreaded to
come home, and she remembered
how often she met him with COM
plant.
Now she threw open the door with
a grand gesture and kissed him
quickly. Candles, joint You love
candle light for dinner, and we
haven't had them for ever so long"
Company" Johns voice was
lifeless.
"No, John, just you-the best COM
pany that ever comes in the door,"
"Gee" He looked at her for the
first time, long and with admira.
ton. This is worth coming home
for! My, but you are stunning, Ma
ryl That dress is a beauty. l re-
member when you got that stuff. Go
down tomorrow and get a whole out.
fit to go with il"
- L L.