The Van Buren press., 1912-06-22
Better Things
in Sight
Frances hurried to the telephone

dear, oh dear It's always the wron,
number. No one ever wants me, On
dear, I'm so miserable!"
When she had first looked cheerfr,
ly at the new white card by the telo
phone she did not know that the mum
Der would be of no consequence IN
solitary soul In Chicago Occasion.
ally George her young husband. wonn
call her up from his office, but usuan,
Ri day long Frances stayed In tba
apartment with silent telephone
II did ring 1t was somebody who had
the wrong number
So Frances cried. She had cried bA
cause she was lonesome for she knew
no one in the big city. She cried be.
cause she was tired, homesick and
miserable and because her sobs wers
company for her in a sad sort OF wav
bit consoling.
The first few weeks she had M,
cried. "Be busy and you will be han
py,' she would say. The tiny fat glIs.
tened with cleanliness. She swept
busted, polished and arranged with
enthusiasm. George declared that he
never had tasted such meals as she
had prepared. He complimented her
excellent financial management. He
took pride in the pretty dresses she
wore In the evening and as often as
he could afford It he took her to the
theater.
After a while this did not satisfy
her She had reduced her housework
and marketing to system and 1t took
very little time to keep the fiat in Or
der. George had seen her dresses
again and again and good dinners
were matter OF course. At first
Frances tried extra housework as an
antidote for loneliness. but after her
violent scrubbing had taken the shine
off the kitchen ware. after she had
broken some vases by needless dust.
ing and spilled furniture polish on the
rug she stopped Her trousseau was
still new and did not require the at.
tention Of sewing or shopping On the
few occasions she had left her neigh.
borhood she had become lost. She had
always lived In small town and the
noise Of the city streets and the
crowds in the stores confused her.
All her experiments had failed So
Frances cried. In the midst OF her
grief the door bell rang
"A peddler," Frances said doleful.
ly. She wiped her eyes and opened
the door. 1t was not a peddler but
sweet young woman. She carried
some letters.
Il am Mrs Allen from across the
hall" she said. timidly. 81 brought
up your mail"
Frances took the letters mechanical.
ly. Then she noticed that the powder
was suspiciously thick around the eyes
and nose OF her visitor. Clearly Mrs.
Allen had been crying, too. Impul.
sively Frances put out her hand
81 wish you would come in." she
said
The two tearstained young women
sat down In the living room. ut was
kind Of you to bring the letters"
Frances began.
"Oh. It's nothing" said Mrs, Allen.
A pause. 81 couldn't help seeing that
one letter was addressed to Mrs.
Frances Stevens West used to hear
my cousin Eula Thomas talk of a
Frances Stevens. OF Planfeld."
"Oh cried Frances. That's |, Is
Eula your cousin? She is my best
friend"
'T heard so much about YOU de.
clared Mrs, Allen, Il didn't know you
lived in Chicago"
II haven't very long" said Frances
Neither have l." said Mrs, Allen.
81 don't know many people here"
81 don't know any" Frances replied.
Neither do l." said Mrs Allen
"Do you enjoy the city?" Frances
asked.
We'll" replied Mrs, Allen, "it has
so many advantages. There are 10
many things to do and see. The the
aters and concerts are fine, One does
not waste time over social trivlalties'
"Yes," said Frances. and the mod
ern conveniences simplify housekeep'
ing 80 that there Is time for the ad'
yantages, II like IT,"
81 don't" declared Mrs, Allen with
decision,
Neither do l." said Frances, with
sudden decision,
"You see" said Mrs. Allen, growing
confidential, 81 came from n small
town whore knew everybody, I'm
not used to the city and ! don't know
my way about There Is 30 little to 40
when my husband II away Why
sometimes have asked Central 10
ring my telephone to know If its IN
order"
That's how It IL with me-" said
Frances, Don't you want TO sec my
apartment"
After the tour Of inspection, ID
which Mrs Allen had been properly
enthusiastic, Frances said tlmldy; y
would be no glad II you would stay 10
ton,"
"Td love to-" she answered, III you
will let me bring over my fresh cake
The tea party progressed fomousv
Tho brides forgot their tears and ala
plans for shopping and matlneoe ana
promised to Introduce their husbands
Mrs, Allen gave Frances the cake 'hM
was left and VIA presented In turn
with n painful Of new rolls, The TWO
! parted AffeetIonately
II am so glad YOU came over salo
Frances This Is the first time