At the End of a Perfect Day
Dorothy refuses Oren for her mother's sake and, aided by Stid, Oren's rival, Oren goes west, while Dorothy's mother grieves over the uncalled-for sacrifice of Dorothy, showing Dorothy the handsome white silk wedding dress she was saving for her as Oren's bride. Months later Oren writes. Stid, on account of Mother Preston's mislaid glasses, reads the letter for her and steals a self-addressed envelope which hopelessly separates Dorothy and Oren. Oren marries, while Stid presses a hopeless claim on Dorothy, finally getting his father, chairman of school-board, to discharge her. Dorothy relents, takes Stid's ring, but at the side of her dying mother, removes the ring and Stid enters to see mother's silent hands holding the ring which settled his fate, awakening his manhood and causing him to hand Dorothy an intercepted letter. Dorothy opens the letter; a tiny card announces the birth of "Dorothy Preston Evans," Oren's baby. With the card pressed to her lips, Dorothy rises above her double grief in complete resignation. Fifteen years later Dorothy has surrendered to circumstances and unconsciously enhanced her years by extreme plainness and humble servitude to her boarders, whose gayety seems far separated from her years. Widowed Oren, with his fifteen-year-old daughter, arrives; they board at Dorothy's. Oren is visibly disappointed in the appearance of Dorothy and seems to be entranced by attractive Miss Everlyn, a boarder. Oren's daughter grasps the situation and, deeply in love with Dorothy after whom she is named, she sees that Dorothy's inner beauty is not equaled by her outer appearance. Dorothy, in her window, witnesses the frolic of her paired-off boarders and in tears, prays that her long-shadowed life may have one perfect day. The Perfect Day dawns with resolutions to make her boarders happy by the seaside. Dorothy refuses to go, but before the picnic lunch is served Oren's daughter, displeased with her father's attentions to Miss Everlyn, goes for Dorothy, who refuses to go on account of no clothes. Oren's daughter pulls her into the bedroom, produces one of her own charming dresses. The girl sees the old leather trunk, is curious, and Dorothy shows the girl her mother's white silk dress. Although over 50 years old, the girl declares it is exactly the style of today and commands Dorothy, dressing her hair and making her wear the wedding dress. Later the picnic party is thrown into a flutter by Oren's daughter bringing Dorothy, dainty, handsome and modest, as a guest. Oren comes to his senses and serves Dorothy while Dorothy overhears insinuations from Miss Everlyn and later by the beach declares to Oren she hates him and herself for her indecent actions. Dorothy hurries away, but from the heights sees Oren pushing out on the water alone. Dorothy, about to tear off her dress and bob up her hair is startled by flashes of lightning; a storm is coming. She rushes to the kitchen; the girls come in; no one knows where Oren is and Dorothy is sure he will drown on the rough sea. She hastens away for help. By the seaside before the terrible sea, she sees the overturned boat, and cries out a prayer while Oren, who was home, finds Dorothy by the sea where her tears are convincing and her love seen by Oren and as the day ends Dorothy wins her wish, closing her "Perfect Day."
