The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1912-07-26
Better Things
in Sight

dear, Oh dear! It's always the wrong
number. No one ever wants me. Oh.
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 num-
Der would be, of no consequence to a
solitary soul in Chicago. Occasion
ally George, her young husband, would
call her up from his office, but usually
all day long Frances stayed In the
apartment with a silent telephone. If
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. homesck and
miserable and because her sobs were
company for her in a sad sort OF way,
a bit consoling.
The first few weeks she had not |
cried. BE busy and you will be hap |
py," she would say The tiny fiat glis- (
tened with cleanliness.
After 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
were a 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 a 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.
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 tear-stained 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. l used to hear
my cousin Eula Thomas talk Of a
Frances Stevens, of Plainfeld"
ooh cried Frances. That's I. Is
Eula your cousin? She is my best
friend"
81 heard so much about you" de-
clared Mrs. Allen, 81 didn't know you
lived in Chicago"
81 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.
"Well," replied Mrs. Allen, at has
SO many advantages. There are SC
many things to do and see. The the
aters and concerts are fine. One does
not waste time over social trivialities.'
Eyes" said Frances. And the mod
ern conveniences simplify housekeep
ing so that there is time for the ad
vantages. II like it."
81 don't" declared Mrs. Allen will
decision.
Neither do l." said Frances, will
sudden decision.
8 "You see," said Mrs. Allen, CROWNS
confidential, Il came from a small
I town where l knew everybody. In
not used to the city and l don't know
o my way about There is so little to d.
when my husband is away. Why
d sometimes / have asked Central 4
ring my telephone to know IL It's II
t order"
t That's how 1t Is with me-" sal
Frances. Don't you want to see m
n apartment"
8 After the tour Of inspection. Il
which Mrs. Allen had been properl
d enthusiastic, Frances said timidly: a
Il would be so glad If you would stay t
tea"
g "I'd love to-" she answered, 'if 20
Il will let me bring over my fresh cake.
The tea party progressed famously
@ The brides forgot their tears and lai
J, plans for shopping and matinees an
q promised to introduce their husbands
Mrs. Allen gave Frances the cake tina
n was left and was presented in tur
II with a painful Of new rolls. The tw
y parted affectionately.