Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1910-03-17
WHAT THEY
NEEDED
By HARRY VAN ANiBERG
Copyright. 1910. by American Press
Association

went to his room. 1t was . o'clock, q
time when young people are supposed
TO be enjoying themselves in their
evening amusements and married peo-
pie are sitting around the hearthstone
or the big lamp on the center table
reading. doing or listening to the
chatter of the children going to bed.
But Gunter-never before in my life
have / lighted upon more desolate
situation for a man in good health,
In his closet. He was sitting in an
easy chair, looking at the wall. When
/ entered something OF change came
over his face. He seemed pleased that
any one should break the stiffness.
Great heavens, Gunterw | eXclaim-
ed. what are you sitting here alone
for?"
Because | have no one to sit with
me-"
'Then why not go out?"
"I've been going out for years, and
I'm tired Of it,"
l stayed with Gunter all the even
ing. The upshot of our talk other than
business was this: l agreed to pilot
him into something better than room
with no one but himself In 1t. My
cousin, Margaret Tucker, twenty-eight
years old-Gunter was forty-was just
as needful Of something better than a
single room as was Gunter. l told
Gunter that he couldn't afford any
longer to wait to fall In love. If he did
he would likely pass the rest Of his
life In loneliness. If he married he
couldn't be any worse off than he was,
and he might be great deal better
off. l used the same argument with
Margaret. vouched for her to Gun
ter as being an excellent person and
for Gunter to her to the same effect.
l introduced them. Gunter made an
expected proposal. 1t was accepted,
and they were married.
l was shocked at what ] had done.
Suppose they didn't get on together.
How would | feel at having tied them
up in a knot they couldn't unloose
without a lot of trouble? One day |
saw Gunter coming toward me on the
street. He looked glum. There was
no side street between me and him
for me to turn down, so was obliged
to face him. ! nerved myself for the
meeting and. assuming lot Of hearth
ness, ran up TO him and grabbing
him by the hand, shook il warmly
and said:
How are you, Old man? Happy as
a clam, eh?"
There was no fervor in his affirma-
tive response.
Comet went on; tell me how you
and Mag are getting on"
"Oh. we'd get on well enough, but
there are certain things about women
that rub man the wrong way"
"Such ass"
"Well, Mag gives way TO me in GER
tain things | don't care anything
about, but if anything of Importance
comes up between us she must have
her own way"
"Well?"
Il wouldn't have you breathe 1t. l
say it in the strictest confidence. I'm
Of separation"
Good graciousw
/ saw he was being rufiled and tried
to soothe him. but it was Of no avail.
He declared that his wife had an ideal
Of husband in her mind. and she was
trying to make him over to conform
to that ideal | left him. feeling that
/ had not succeeded in comforting him
and cursing my folly at having led him
into matrimony.
Desiring to see Mag alone and ex-
pecting that her husband would not
go home at that time of day, | called
on her.
"Wel. Mag" | said. chow goes mat
"Oh, matrimony's well enough! It's
the man one marries that's the trou-
BILE"
whats the matterY"
"My husband is unreasonable"
about what?'
"Well, he gives way to me in things
that l don't care anything about, but
IL anything of Importance comes up
he's perfect tyrant."
In thinking that Gunter wouldn't go
home at that time of day l had made
q mistake. While | was talking with
Mag he came in. was irritated at
the way my plans for those l had
wished to benefit had turned out and
was in no mood to meet the two to-
gether.
IF you two people," l said, ''insist
on quarreling instead Of enjoying the
happiness that has come to you l can't
help It, did the best ! knew how for
both Of you, but
"Our affairs are none of your bust
ness" said Mag fiercely.
Fright you are" said her husband.
what right have you to come here
and meddle"
81 meddle?'
Seeing that IL I remained where I
was minute longer there would be
IN explosion, ! crammed my hat down
on my head and rushed out of the
room, slamming the door behind me.
/ went to my office I'm q fever. !
couldn't work. | couldn't sit still.
NJ oil tho floor DracantIv tbara 90 mo