South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1913-11-13
MARRIED LIFE THE
SECOND YEAR
BY MABEL HERBERT URNER.

Here Anna came to the door with a
letter in her hand. ooh, ma'am, what
do you think! 1 just got a letter
from
Don't bother me now-Tm count
ing the clothes. How many towels
did 1 say"
Again she counted the towels and
put down sixteen.
We'll, what is it?" impatiently, un-
comfortably conscious of Anna still
standing in the door
We'll. what is it?'
"Jim's very sick. ma am, in the
hospital"
"Jim?' Helen repeated vaguely. her
mind still on the laundry list. Who's
Jim"
why, my brother. ma'am," re-
proachfully. Don't you remember
his wife died last spring."
"Oh, yes"
He has three little ones, you know.
and there's nobody 10 look after them
and he wants me to come"
But Anna-You're not going ?"
I'm sorry, ma'am, but l guess I'll
have to-"
But what will I do You can't
leave me know"
Annals Kindly Suggestion.
You could get Mrs. Fitzgerald"
Anna suggested. (Mrs. Fitzgerald
was the woman who came to clean
windows and woodwork
For how long? How long will you
be gomez"
II can't tell, ma'am. Maybe week
maybe longer. IN have to stay I'M
til Jim gets out of the hospital"
ooh. Anna" walled Helen. Il sup
pose you must go-but / do wish your
brother hadn't selected just this time
to get sick! Well resignedly, when
do you want to start ?''
Jim writes me TO come at once. I
thought I'd get ready as soon as l got
the breakfast things away"
Helen could only consent. If Anna S
brother was sick and his children
alone of course she would have to go.
But it was most inconvenient just
now.
Anna Strengthened up everything
and left at noDn, with many promises
to come back, just as soon as she
could, and to write at once how her
brother was and how long she thought
he would need her.
To do without Anna for several
weeks! Who had been with them
since their marriage, and who was so
good and faithful Helen supposed
She could get Mrs. Fitzgerald. but the
thought of having that lOquacious, I'M
tidy old lady about was not pleasant.
She resolved not to send for her until
she talked ii over with Warren that
evening.
Her Brave Decision.
In the meantime she would get din
ner all by herself today. She would
show Warren that she was not help
less, even if she was left suddenly
without a maN She would prove to
him what a really delightful dinner
she could get all alone.
The butcher had already left the
roast which Anna had ordered early
that morning. But for this dinner
Helen wanted something less common
place than roast beef. So she put it
in the refrigerator for the next day.
plump chicken.
She would have chicken paprika,
with rice and green peppers and curry
the way Warren liked it. And she
ordered also asparagus and a really
wonderful dinner.
She began early in the afternoon to
get things ready, to prepare the vege-
tables and make the salad dressing
But first Of all she drew Warren's
big chair into the kitchen, filled it
with a comfort and pillows and there
installed the baby. Winifred, de-
lighted with her new surroundings,
cooed, and shook her rattle and watch
ed her mother with big, wondering
eyes.
you're as god as gold. aren't you.
sweetheart" And Helen, with a
knife in one hand and bunch of
asparagus in the other. stopped over
to kiss her. And there were many
such Interruptions during the prepa-
ration of that dinner.
After a while, when Winifred grew
tired of the rattle. Helen gave her a
big wooden spoon, with which she
pounded contentedly on the chair I'M
til she fell over asleep among the
pillows
A Surprise for Warren.
Helen got out one of the best table
cloths and the prettiest china and sill
yer, and set the table as attractively
as she could. Would 1t be eXtrava-
CANT to telephone for a few flowers
Tor center piece. The would add so
much! She hesitated for some time
and called up the florist in the next
block and ordered a dozen pink ear
nations. They were only IS cents.
Surely she ought TO have them.
And she would burn candles! 1t
would be a real party. Just she and
Warren-at this, the first dinner she
had really cooked alone since their
marriage. So she got out the silver
with their pretty pink silk
shades. And then she stood back and
viewed the table with hdpp SAUSAGE
ton.
When everything about the dinner
was ready, she hurled into her room TO
dress. Quickly she slipped into one of
her daintiest gowns. Wouldn't War
rem be surprised. She pictured his
pleased establishment when he found
She had done this all alone. He might
even take her in his arms and say:
Just the most wonderful little wOm-
an in the world" That was what he
did on very rare and beau
tiful occasions.
They had not heen frequent of late;
but tonight she knew he wOuld-she
felt sure he would.
The Message Over the Phone.
She had just finished dressing when
the telephone rang. 1t was Warren.
I'm bringing Jack Dawson home
for dinner. Tell Anna TO do the best
she can-am sorry I couldn't let her
know sooner"
But Annals not here" she gasped.
before she had time ~ think.
Not there?"
'No--her brothers sick and sent
Tor her"
nave TO take Dawson TO the club"