Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-07-18
THE EVENING STORY.
A Genial Host.

| Copyright 1913. by w. wernerl
| Hurry Jo" Clara cried before her
husband had time to hang his hat up.
You're late
| Credit page didn't jibe with the debit.
so 1 stayed to hunt a strayed figure
eight he explained What's the rush?'
as lie sat down at the waiting dinner
table.
why, the Brittons party, was the
answer And it takes an hour to get
/ there even on the elevated. I've laid all
your clothes out" AS Clara spoke she
was eating rapidly, and waiting on the
two chldren-Ruth. aged four. and Alice.
six Her hair was fuffed and her face
was powdered.
10 looked Al her admiringly- He was
| big broad si,ouldered man, but awkward
looking even When sitting. He didn't en-
thuse over the coming gayety. I'D rather
stay at home with the kids he sighed,
I'm not strong on parties. especially the
Brittons'. Don't care much for him..
Clara buttered Ruth another slice of
bread in noncommittal silence, but the
shadow of frown lay upon her pretty
face. Her under lip was pressed closely
against the upper-a trick she had when
at 10 from under lowered eyelids. Secret
~ she was comparing him with the men
he deprecated, and the comparison was
not favorable. She did not exactly like
Edward Britton but she wished that her
husband had some of his easy geniality
and poise and the same well groomed ap-
pearance. Tired? OF course 10 was tired.
A bookkeeper in a big machine shop. who
was also general assistant, worked hard
and could not come home at night immac-
ulate Rut even when he was shaved and
had his clothes pressed 10 was awkward
in look and manner.
Tell you what" he said presently, TN
take you and come home and stay with
the kids. Then I'll come after you.
You'll do no such thing Clara cried,
tearfully 81 think you're mean. Other
women's husbands like to go to places.
I've got the maid from next door to stay
with the children. And, 10, do try to talk
tonight instead of getting into corner
as quickly as possible and acting like an
oyster"
10 looked distressed. like schoolboy
caught in mischief Il can't Clara. ne
said. Honest, 1 try to talk and l can't
| think of blessed thing to say The Lord
knows l fairly rack my brains trying to
think of something brilliant 1 guess l
was born stupid. My tongues tied. ex-
cept with you and the kids He laughed
good naturally.
But Clara did not laugh. Her frown
deepened. She hurried into the next
room to complete her dressing. Later
when 10 was dressed and they were ready
to start a CLEAN of hostile criticism shot
from her pretty blue eyes at his tall,
stoop shouldered form. 10 was waving
his hand at Ruth and missed his wife's
look.
Arrived at the Brittons house. a snowy
place. both inside and out, 10 shook hands
with his host and hostess, trailed after
Clara for while till she was absorbed
in conversation, then promptly went to
a corner behind some palms, where, with
friend of similar bent, he talked shop.
Clara sighed resignedly and proceeded
to enjoy herself The double parlors. Ii
brary and reception rooms were crowded
with guests. Mrs. Britton moved about
among them rather restessly. She was
a thin, odish woman. with a faded pref
tiness that made one understand why her