Deming graphic. (Deming, N.M.) 1903-1948, 1913-04-22
Better Things
in Sight
Frances hurried 10 the telephons

uear, OH aear| us always the wrong
number. No one ever wants me. on
dear. I'm 80 miserablel"
When she had first looked chaar,,,,
ly at the new white card BY the tsia.
phone she did not know that the nun
Der would be Of no consequence 10 =
solitary soul In Chicago. Occasion.
ally George. her young husband would
call her up from his ONCE, but usualIv
oil day long Frances stayed In ,hs
apartment with q silent telephone u
II did ring It was somebody who had
the wrong number.
So Frances cried. She had crIsa NJ.
cause she was lonesome, for she knaw
no one in the big city. She cried bs.
cause she was tired, homesick ana
miserable and because her sobs yers
company for her In O sad sort Of wav
bit consoling.
The first few weeks she had m,
cried BE busy and you will be han.
py." she would say. The tiny tlst sIIs.
tened with cleanliness.
After q while this did not sstisfv
her. She had reduced her housewort
and marketing to q system and II took
very little time to keep the fiat IN or.
der. George had seen her dresss,
again and again and good dinner,
were q matter OF course. At Hrst
Frances tried extra housework az an
antidote for loneliness. but after her
violent scrubbing had taken the shlns
on the kitchen ware. after she had
broken some vases by needless dust.
Ing and spilled furniture polish on tho
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, doletul.
ly. She wiped her eyes and opened
the door. II was not peddler, but
sweet young woman. She carried
some letters.
u am Mrs. Allen from across the
hail." she said, timidly. II 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. lmpul.
sively Frances put out her hand.
II wish you would come In" she
said.
The two tearstained young women
sat down in the living room. 1T was
kind Of you to bring the letters"
Frances began.
"oh, It's nething," said Mrs. Allen
A pause. ~ couldn't help seeing that
one letter was addressed 10 Mrs
Frances Stevens West. used to hear
my cousin Eula Thomas talk OF
Frances Stevens. Of Plainneld."
"Oh cried Frances. That's !. 10
Eula your cousin? She is my best
friend"
II heard so much about YOU" de-
clared Mrs. Allen. II didn't know you
lived In Chicago"
II haven't very LONG" said Frances,
Neither have l." said Mrs. Allen.
II don't know many people here"
II don't know any" Frances replied.
Neither do l." said Mrs. Allen.
DO YOU enjoy the city," Frances
asked.
Well" replied Mrs. Allen. ut has
SO many advantages. There are 30
many things to do and see. The the
aters and concerts are fine. One does
not waste time over social trivialities,"
Yes" said Frances. And the mod
ern conveniences simplify housekeep.
Ing SO that there Is time for the ad.
vantages. II like IT,"
II DON'T" declared Mrs. Allen with
decision.
Neither do l." said Frances. with
sudden decision.
you see." said Mrs. Allen. growing
confidential Il came from a small
town where l knew everybody. I'm
not used to the city and I don't know
my way about There Is SO little to do
when my husband is away. Why
sometimes I have asked Central TO
ring my telephone to know II It's In
order"
That's how Il 10 with me-" said
Frances. Don't you want to see my
apartment?"
After the tour Of inspection. In
which Mrs. Allen had been properly
enthusiastic. Frances said timidly: u
would be so glad II you would stay to
tea"
I'D love to-" she answered, II you
will let me bring over my fresh cake
The tea party progressed famously.
The brides forgot their tears and laid
plans for shopping and matinees and
promised to introduce their husbands.
Mrs. Allen gave Frances the cake that
was left and was presented In turn
with q painful of new rolls. The two
parted affectionately.
Il am 80 glad you came over" said