The Nevada County picayune., 1907-10-10
A SLAVE
 10 DUTY ALSO a Mean Trick Played on a
 Friend.

u'""h shade convinced Mrs. Owen that this time, at least. it was a helghbor who stood on her doorstep ana not that silky person with some. thing to sell.
 Come right in, Mrs. smythe," said Mfs' Owen, hospitably. Inc shades were drawn and I was afraid you were away from home" sdid her visitor, making herself com. fortable.
 No, put them down so can peek out when the bell rings. If it's promoter or canvasser, don't open 'ne door They always persuade me 'o buy against my own judgment. I can trust myself, so don't take any chances
 But if you don't need the ar ticle-"
 But l cant get rid of them. They eithef make me think that I cant do without what they are selling. or they "ofK on my sympathies. The house is 1uII of hair restorer and breakfast foods, to say nothing of court plaster. shoe strings and brooms."
 But a woman of your intelligence would only buy what was worth the money
 Mrs, Owen looked pleased.
 wish l was as good a bargain hunter as you, Mrs Smythe."
 When you are my age, my dear, you Will be a wonder. I just ran in to tell you of the bargain I got yes terday It's a real snap I sub scflbed for some beautiful books-12 volumes at three dollars a month, printed on handmade paper and the loveliest bindings-''
 We don't need any books. don't get time to read. With housework and the children's clothes"
 That's just it, Mrs. Owen; you are a slave to duty. I believe in keeping pace with my husbands brains. don't intend to forfeit his love by let ting my intellect get rusty. Some women don't care. They think their husbands can't escape, and so they neglect this great duty"
 Mrs. Owen smiled pleasantly. She felt no anxiety on that score
 Il read in one of my new books about the belfry in Brugges, and last night when Mir. Smythe looked bored and restless I just opened conver- sation and steered it to the subject on which l had been studying He had lots of interesting things to say, and seemed so pleased to find me so well informed. Now. if I hadn't those books I might have been stupid, and he'd have gone to the club instead of having such nice evening at home, A woman should not be slave to household duties. No wonder men tire of their wives"
 But MT Owen never tires of me"
 That's just it. He will You won't know it at first. It creeps like little serpent-"
 My goodness! you don't mean to say
 Yes, I do. Unless you keep posted on what's doing in the world, as man does, it is bound to come. read about a man who loved his wife for ten years and as she became e. cupied with her household affairs he began going to the theaters-and he met another woman.'
 "Oh, Mrs. Smythe, you frighten me! What if my husband should be led astray that way?'
 T don't want to make you uneasy but if you won't do anything to prevent-well, there's no telling"
 What can 1 do? Please advise me. It would kill me to lose him! We are all the world to each other"
 Yes. now, while you are young. and pretty. But some time he will tire of you and your petty troubles" rising to go.
 70, Mrs Smythe, don't go yet. You have not told me what to do Don't leave me with this awful tragedy star ing me in the face
 People seldom take advice-that's for their good
 'Ill take anything that you say"
 If you would read
 I'll study night and day
 It's only necessary to keep little ahead of your husband-and turn the into the proper channel. Those books of mine have little of everything select-but, perhaps, you'd rather select your own reading?'
 No, no, want the kind you have"
 "Ahem, I suppose I could"
 70, will you lend
 q was going to say l could sell you mine or
 T cant take yours. You might not be able to get more at that price. Do you know the agents name? I'll 20 right out and look for him. 'I am glad you realize what fam ilv blessing those books are. have inst taken the agency for them"
 o,t Of Tcp't if pfno