Evening Republican, Volume 18, Number 174, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 25 July 1914 — POOR PETER’S HEW INN [ARTICLE]

POOR PETER’S HEW INN

By BELLE K. MANIATES.

• Katherine Demar was heart-whole but net fancy free.—Her romances had been gathered from books and dreams, as she had grown up under the strictest of surveillance by a puritanical father. When she wad nineteen years of age a great change came in her fortunes. Her father died suddenly, insolvent. A far-removed cousin gave the young daughter board and lodgings, but the household was of an entirely different type from the class' of people among whom the young girl had been brought up. After the lapse of a year she determined to seek employment that would enable her to change her environment. She was on the point of carrying this into effect when she received a visit from a former friend of her father, Peter Wesley, a man of wealth and prominence. He had been in a distant part of the country at the time of Austin Demar’s death, and had not known of the almost destitute circumstances in which Katherine had been left. “Katherine,” he said very gently, “I love you dearly, and <1 am asking you to- marry me without the hope that my affection is returned. But if you will only consent, I will give you all the luxuries to which you have been accustomed and a man’s protection. Consider, the difference between a sheltered, luxurious life, and the buffeting of a Workingwoman’s existence for wptch you are not fitted.” It did not take Katherine long to decide. She accepted the life of ease and married Peter who was forty-five years of age and quite unlike her girljflh tdftftlH _ ' - ' —- =««= They went to Paris for two months. Upon their return to Wesley’s town house, the young bride, beautiful, wealthy and accomplished, was so feted and sought after that her head was completely turned. Peter, big and noble of heart, continued to worship from afar and plan for her pleasures and happiness. Their trend of life ran In opposite directions. Katherine gave herself entirely to social pleasures, and Peter, who was a philanthropist, began to Interest himself in promoting the candidacy of a governor who he knew would bring about needed legislation. One-day at a dinner some one spoke casually to Katherine of her husband’s pet hobby being realized. “What is that?” she asked. “Politics.” “Ob, no!” was.the reply. “I referred to the inn for-self-supportlng women that he established, you know.” “YeC” said Katherine as She hastened to change the subject. - “It's very bad taste,” she acknowledged to herself on the way home, “to be so ignorant of what one’s husband is doing. I must get posted.” The next morning an item regarding the new inn caught her attention and recalled her ignorance on the subject. “I’ll go there this mdrnlng and find out about it," toe decided. She stopped on the way to spend a few moments at an exhibition of pictures. She was in an.alcove when she overheard Peter’s name mentioned. She recognized the voices of an elderly couple who were friendß of her husband. “Poor Peter!” the woman^w as saying. “I always feared he would get Just the type of a wife he has.” Katherine filed, her cheeks flushed. “The idea of their pitying Peter!” she thought, “whep every one says he was so fortunate to win me.” A very young and very pretty girl opened the door of the new inn when Katherine rang. “I am Mrs. Wesley,” she said affably. “I wonder If I might be permitted to go through the inn.” “Oh, of course!" exclaimed the girl. “I will be so glad to show you through. I have a day off. I'am glad It happened today as I have so wanted to see you.” Katherine followed into a dalfity little room furnished 4n blue and white. "Isn’t this lovely?” gushed the girl. I’ve been cooped up for two years in hall bedrooms, and to get in a place like this! Well, it’s some living!” “May I sit down add talk to you?” asked Katherine. “Sure!” “I want to know all about the place. Whose idea It was and how it is supported, its object” “Hasn’t Mr.. Wesley told you?” asked the girl. “He doesn’t like to talk about the things he does,” evaded Katherine. “I want to hear it from you.” "Joa know he Is terribly Interested in working girls and their lives, and he’s always thought of a place like this where they could pay Just what they would at a boarding house and yet have all these comforts and luxuries and not be on charity. Mr. Wesley planned it and started the list of contributors with ten times more than any one else gave.” "I mast go,” said Katherine finally. “I have enjoyed this little visit, and I’ll come often.” The next night Peter came home on a late train: He went into the little breakfast room where he was wont to find hie glass of milk awaiting him. When he opened the door, he started In amazement A lire crackled In the fireplace. On the table was a shaded light. Bending over a coffee percolator was Katherine. “Oh, Peter,” she said shyly, coming np to him. ”1 thought you’d like something hot, so I have lighted the percolator, and you oan help me makethetoast” —— ——