The guardian. [volume] (Boston, Mass.) 1901-1960, 1939-06-10
The Prize
By WILLIAM SNYDER
released by Associated Newspapers
WNU Service.)

and hurried across the hall to the
hving-room without taking time to
remove his overcoat. His wife was
sewing by the west window, her
eyes straining over the material in
the last of the daylight.
SIS that you, Martini" she muir
INJURED without looking up.
Il did get it right, Alice" he al
most shouted, startling her so that
She dropped the needle she was
threading.
Got WHAT" irritably, as she
searched for the needle. "Close the
door into the hall, Martin; it lets in
a draft. What did you say you got?"
her tone more amiable as she To-
Gated the needle.
A little dashed, her husband closed
the door and took off his overcoat
before he answered, but he could
not keep a note of exultation out of
! his voice then.
THAT puzzle thing l was trying
to work the other night, when all of
you made fun of me and said 1
couldn't do it. l sent it in just for
fun and won a prize"
The staid man of business was as
pleased as child who has re-
ceived a good school report. And
Mrs. Stevens was excited now.
Isn't that splendid? l can order
the new curtains and the rug for
the dining-room. III call up right
away-Arnold's won't be closed
yet"
But" he began futilely, for she
had gone.
He took step or two after her,
then shrugged his shoulder Oh,
well, he had been meaning to tell
her that she could get the curtains
and rug anyway.
He was settling into chair by the
fire when the door flew open and
Suzette bounced in, charming in her
bright green frock and little black
! hat.
"Oh, papa" she shrieked (shriek-
ing was her cline" just now,
mamma says you got the prize
for that funny contest. Now I can
have a permanent at Anton's and
new evening coat, can't l." 1t was
! a statement, not a question. "Give
me check now, and I'll get the coat
and an appointment with Anton in
the morning. A hundred and fifty
will do both of them. Who would
have thought l had such a smart
dad?"
But, Suzette, 1 can't didn't"
Her soft red lips had begun to
culver, her blue eyes to fill.
"Why, papa, you're going to di-
vide with US, aren't you? If mamma
can have the curtains and things she
wants, surely you'll let your little
girl have little old permanent and
a coat for dances. My old one looks
just horrid with the new long
| dresses"
Then she frightened, for her ia
Their was taking out his checkbook
resignedly. She hung over him, chat
tering fondly, until the magic slip
was signed, then she danced out,
waving it in the air to dry the ink.
The front door slammed, and Su-
zette shrieked at the new arrival,
Look Wilfred, papa won that prize
puzzle he was working at the other
night and won a lot of money. See
what he gave me-" as she stuck the
check tantalizingly under her broth
er's nose.
When Wilfred dashed in Martin
Stevens fountain pen was already
poised over the check-book.
"What is your pet desire of the
moment, SOM" he queried with a
grimness that went unnoticed.
Gee, dad, you're lucky one,
aren't you? If you could let me have
fifty, I'd go on that weekend trip
with the fellows. Thanks lot, dad
see you at dinner"
A moment later a light step in
the hall presaged the entrance of
Aunt Lucy, her delicate face BEAM
ing.
well, Martin, Alice just told me
of your good fortune. am so glad
that you can give me something now
to help with the settlement girls.
twenty-five would be about right.
thank you in behalf of the settle
ment."
Hello, Martin, you lucky dogl"
doomed hearty voice. "Ha, hal
found you out. Yessir, your Suzette
told my Elsie about it. Now, old
man, you'll have to come across
with that subscription to the new
clubhouse. I'm going to put you
down for five hundred. Easy come
easy go-ha, hal See you tomor-
row."
Martin sank Imply into his chair
before the fire, and drawing a neat
slip of blue paper from his wallet
contemplated it ruefully. 1t read:
"Pay to the order of Martin Ste
vens rs dollars as tenth prize in the
Whatsis puzzle contest"
Harp an Old instrument
An instrument of great antiquity,
the harp remained practically I'M