The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1912-07-18
Better Things
in Sight
Frances hurried to the telephone.

| phone table and began to cry. oh,
dear. oh dear! It's always the wrong
number No one ever wants me. Oh,
i dear I'm SO miserable"
When she had first looked cheerful
/ ly at the new white card by the tele-
phone she did not know that the nun.
/ Der would be of no consequence to
solitary soul in Chicago. Occasion
ally George. her young husband, would
call her up from his office. but usually
i all day long Frances stayed In the
/ apartment with a silent telephone. II
/ 1t did ring 1t was somebody who had
the wrong number.
So Frances cried. She had cried be
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 were
company for her in a sad sort of way,
bit consoling
The first few weeks she had not
cried BE busy and you will be hap
py," she would say. The tiny fiat gis-
tened with cleanliness
After a while this did not satisfy
her. She had reduced her homework
very little time to keep the fiat in or
der. George had seen her dresses
again and again and good dinners
We're a matter of course. At first
Frances tried extra Homework 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 pedder. but
bNttl yOuuB MOlldu. Que CdIIltu
some letters.
II 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.
II wish you would come In" she
said.
The two tear-stained young women
sat down In the living room at 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
Frances Stevens. of Plainfield"
ooh cried Frances. THAT'S l. Is
Eula your cousin? She is my best
friend"
Il heard so much about you," de-
clared Mrs. Allen. Il didn't know you
lived in Chicago
Il 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 tho city," Frances
asked.
We'll" replied Mrs. Allen. at has
SO many advantages. There are so
many things to do and see. The the
aters and concerts are fine. One does
not waste time over social triyialites."
Eyes" said Frances. And the mod.
eTn conveniences simplify housekcep.
ing so that there Is time for the ad
vantages. II like It,"
81 don't" declared Mrs. Allen With
dscision.
Neither do l." said Frances, with
sudden decision.
"You see," said Mrs. Allen, growing
confidential, Il came from a small
town where l knew everybody. I'm
not used to the city and l don't know
my way about There is SO little to do
when my husband is away. Why,
sometimes l have asked Central to
ring my telephone to know II It's in
order"
That's how 1t Is with me" said
| Frances. Don't you want to see my
apartment"
After the tour of inspection, in
which Mrs. Allen had been properly
enthusiastic, Frances said timidly: u
would be SO glad II you would stay to
tea"
I'D love to-" she answered. 'if you
will let me bring over my frech cake"
The tea party progressed fssnously.
The brides forgot their tears and laid
plans for ss~G2ping and matinees ana
promised to introduce their husbands.
Mrs. Allen gave Frances the cake that
was left and was presented In turn
with a painful Of new rolls, The two
parted affectionately.
~ am so glad you came over" said
Frances. This is the first time I
have had company"
at is the first time l have been to
a party" said Mrs. Allen.
Neither have We" said the brides.
And from that time on life in the great
city grew pleasant. The loneliness
had been dispelled.