South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1913-09-29
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MARRIED LIFE THE
FIRST YEAR AFTER
THE HONEYMOON
BY MABEL HERBERT URNER.
BY Mabel Herbert Urner.
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AS Helen now shrank from going
out alone. Warren tried always to
get home in time 10 take her for a
short walk before dinner He was
now more than ever anxious that she
be not so closely confined, and their
walks through the quiet streets in
the gathering dusk had come to be
an important part OF the day.
Sometimes they would stop in some
cheerful restaurant for dinner lie
would secure a table in a secluded
corner where she could have the di-
version OF the gay scenes. the lights,
the music. and still be shielded from
any curious gaze.
After any OF these little outings
he always brought her home in a
40. He was anxious that she walk
one way but not both. Her strength
must not be taxed. once she sug-
gested going hack in a car, and he
answered hotly.
III not have you riding in q
street car now
She stepped into the cab he had
peremptoriH summoned. her heart
beating fast and a soft flush in her
cheeks o, how sweet and wonderful
il was to be taken care Of in this
way,
All the way home he held her
hand in a warm strong clasp while
she leaned close TO him. How care
fully he helped her from the cab
and up TO their apartment, insisting
that she slip into a negligee and lie
down at once.
Cheerful and Loving.
And now as the time drew near
more and more she had come TO re-
gard herself with a thrilled sense of
awe. More than ever now must her
health and strength be fostered-not
for her own safe but for the sake OF
something else.
Since that night when she had
sobbed out her fear in the dark,
they had both carefully refrained
from referring TO 1t again. But now
and then when Sho would suddenly
cling to him, her face hidden against
his arm-he would know that the
fears had come back, and would hold
her close in silent reverential under
standing.
If any secret dred crept into his
own heart he was careful not To show
it in any way. When he was with
her he tried to be uniformly cheer
full. And If he spent any anxious
hours at the office-she never knew.
They had fitted up the spare room
as a nursery A white crib with its
tiny hand embroidered pillow and
soft down covers. stood in the corner
And there were many other things
the mere buying of which had given
Helen so much happiness. The
dressing table was covered with
dainty pink and white things-powder
boxes and swans down puffs and tiny
combs and brushes.
Her Dream Child.
one afternoon Warren came home
to find her kneeling beside the crib
She had not heard him enter, and tor
several moments he stood silently be
side her. Then very gently he lifted
her 10 her feet and led her out Of
the room.
In spite of his efforts to be with
her all he could. he felt that she was
too much alone. He wanted her to
have some one with her during the
day-but to this she would not listen.
Later there would have to be the
nurse But now she srank from the
thought of having a stranger around.
mo, no." she insisted again and
again. II want no one. I have more
now than | ever had-my dream
child and you"
That was what they always called
it. From the very beginning it had
been the dream child"-never any
thing else.
Warren had opened a small bank
account in Hel"ns name-for the
dream child. md they planned that
each month something would be ad-
ded to it, In that way. in few years
there would be enough to insure their
child's education - whatever might
happen to them.
The expense of the last few months
had not been light. Warren had
been very generous and had insisted
on Helen getting all the little dream
child clothes that she wanted. The
fitting up of the nursery had been
most expensive. For they both felt
that nothing could be too dainty or
too fine-and that they could not con-
sidet expenses at this time and for
these things.
Secure I'm His Love.
Warren had laughingly told her
that he was now smoking only two
cigars a day, instead of four, and that
the money for the other two was 10
go for little "frilikins" (Anything
soft and white and lacey Warren
always called "frilikins."O
And Helen knew, too, that not only
cigars, but other things had been
given up. He no longer stopped at the
club on his way home for a couple OF
highballs 1t had been many weeks
now since she had noticed the slight
est trace OF uQuOr on MS pTedlh
Those nights when he had come
home flushed and irritable now seem
ed SO vague and far away. Surely moth
ing like that could ever come between
them again.
Secure In any present happinesseS
we are apt TO look back upon a form
er trouble and wonder how it could
have SO affected IS.
And as Helen had felt secure in the
happiness OF their engagement, SC
now she feels secure in this new joy
The thought that this. too. may wear
, away does not occur TO her.
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