The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram., 1913-10-21
Married Life
the Second Year
Bv MAGEL t!ERBERT URNER.

II vas III morning after Helens
return. Their first evening had turn
ed out very happily after all. Helen
had been radjautly happy ali through
the dinner at the CAT. and then had
come the drive home in the taxicab,
which Warren had insisted on in spite
OF her protest at the expense. And it
had been a beautiful drive-lcaning
back in the car with Warren's arm
about her, and her hand held close to
his. and they Whirled through the bril-
liantly lighted streets.
And this morning when he started
for the office, he kissed her very ten
derly. "NOW, don't work too hard, Kit
ten. Remember you're not strong yet.
1t wont matter if you don't get every
thing straig ightened Out today. And if
Della doesn't come in time don't try
10 get dinner, here, we'll go out again.
Taking off the pretty morning gown
she had put on for Warren's benefit,
she slipped into an old house dress
and began a general STRENGTHENING
up"
Warren had sent Della a special de-
livery letter last night to come at
once" But as Della lived in Jersey she
probably wouldn't get here before
noon. And in one way Helen was glad
to be alone this morning.
The wonder of being with Warren
again the 10y Of loving him, and feel
ing that for the time at least he loved
her very dearly. seemed so beautiful
and intimate that for a little while
she wanted to be herself.
Before she really started to work
she gave herself up to the luxury of
arranging his clothes. just for the
pleasure OF touching them.
She went all through his chiffOnier
putting fresh white paper in the bot
tom OF the drawers and sorting under
wear and collars. There We're a few
new shirts and ties that he had bought
while she was away. But some of the
old ones We're missing. His suit case
was gone too. and she knew that he
bad taken some of his linen to his
mothers, where he had been staying.
Some how she was jealous Of the
Thought that any of his clothes should
he anywhere but here-that anyone
else shouiG have the privilege Of hand
1ine ;hCm She laid aside some of his
ties WhlCn needed pressing and there
were a couple Of white waist coats
that must go to the laundry.
Helen knew that there was much
work and cleaning in the apartment
that was far more urgent than going
over his clothes just nov, But some
how she could not leave his room.
1t had been so long since she had
seen anything of his that just the
handling OF these things thrilled her
with a sense Of her wifehOod,
She fingered over the making up Of
his bed even the sheets and pillow
cases she smoothed over lovingly be-
cause of their nearness to him, and
once she stopped over and softly
brushed her cheek against the pillow
where his head had lain.
When at last she was reluctantly
leaving the room, having put every
thing in perfect order for just a mo-
ment she buried her face in his bath
robe which lay over the back of a
chair
Then she began Strengthening her
own room. The whole apartment was
dusty from being closed. All morning
she swept and busted and polished
brass and silver, forgetting fatigue in
her eagerness to have everything
bright and shining when Warren
came home.
There is nothing that gives a real
woman more happiness than working
for the man she loves. And now in an
old house gown. a towel about her
head to protect her hair her sleeves
up above her elbows, Helen was SUI
premely happy.
1t was after one before Della came.
There was ring at the door and
when Helen opened it, there stood De
liza, her telescope in one hand, fat
bulging bundle in the other, and her
kindly face beaming under new hat
gay with flowers.
And you're working yourself to
death already" she scolded after the
first greet ing. You look clean tuck
cred out. Why didn't you let the things
be till | got here.
oh. but Della. there was so much
to do, The whole place was dirty. You
wouldn't have time to do it all and
get dinner, too. And We'll have to or
der a lot OF groceries, there's hardly
anything here"
"All right. You make out a list OF
things. and then you just lie down and
rest"
Helen sat on the flour bin in the
pantry while she made on the list. She
read it out for Delia's approval.
Nov is that all Della? Can You
think Of anything Well need? You
Know | want this to be a particularly
nice dinner, because it's our first at
home
IF you want mayonnaise dressing
for that asparagus, We'll have to get
some lemons. You know Mr.. Curtis
doesn't like it with vinegar"
oh, that's so; we must have lem,
ons," and she added half a dozen to
the list. "Now, what else-what else,
Delia?"
Il don't think of nothing just now"
We'll. | guess that's all. Now, De
liza you'd better take this over to Nc
Carthy's yourself, ] want You to Sc