South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1913-10-09

THE OPEN WINDOW.
Warren was shaving, his suspenders
down, his face half-lathered, and his
chin poised in that angle peculiar to
shaving.
Helen came to the door.
Dear, Anna says the kitchen win
dow won't shut and it's Cooling the
oven."
Cant you see I'm shaving?" curt
ly.
Yes. know, but Anna can't get it
down and the biscuits won't be done
in time for breakfast"
Didn't tell you l was SHAVING ?"
with his razor poised impatiently,
while his eyes met hers angrily in the
mirror.
Helen hurried back to the kitchen.
'Mr. Curtis is shaving she informed
Anna, who was still struggling with
the window. Cant we manage TO get
il down."
They both tried, but the window re-
NAMED fast.
Then he'll have to take plain
bread for breakfast" grumbled Anna.
NO biscuits won't bake in that
draught."
We'll, make some toast then; he
likes that If it's brown and crisp"
Anna muttered something under her
breath so Helen hurried away to the
baby
Half an hour later breakfast was
served by a very sullen and silent An
ma. There was neither toast nor bis
cults And the omelette lacked its
usual light flakiness.
Warren took up a piece of cold
| bread and then threw il back on the
plate.
ssYo,, don't e,rnac+ mo 70 ea+ tbat for
breakfast. do you?"
THE oven wouldn't bake sir. with
the window open, and / couldn't get
( it dOwn," Anna answered sullenly.
But l told you 10 make some
toast, ventured Helen.
IF it wouldn't bake biscuits il
wouldn't make toast" was Annals Ia
comic answer.
Warren pushed back his chair and
rose angrily from the table. muttering
something about the helplessness of
a lot of fool women.
Where is that Window" he asked
as he strobe into the kitchen.
Helen followed anxiously.
A small kitchen table stood partly
in front Of the window. He pushed it
aside with such force that a pan of
water splashed over.
"Oh. be careful; do be careful,
dear!"
he Was MS WnOle force upon
the window, but it refused to come
down.
IT'S stuck at the top. sir" Anna
suggested.
Again he tried but the window re-
manned fixed.
/ With a muttered oath he tried again
this time his elbow slipped and
struck the glass.
"Oh, dear, wait-wait-"
| But now. with clenched teeth. he
threw all his weight against it. There
was a sound of shattered glass and a
| scream from Helen.
A few drops of blood showed on his
hand.
"Oh. you've cut yourself. you've cut
YOURSELF" She caught his arm. but he
shook her off He was swearing I'M
der his breath.
This comes from bothering me
with your internal windows"
"Oh. is it bad? Have you cut il
bad?" breathlessly.
1t was only the slightest scratch, but
it received all the attention of sew
cred artery.
"Oh. I'm so sorry; I'm so sorry
I dear" she kept murmuring as she
anxiously. and carefully applied bit
of court plaster.
] Whatever happened, he somehow
always managed to make her feel that
il was er fault She always took the
apologize attitude.
/ Whether il was due to his careless
ness or his impotence or his temper
| whatever the cause, somehow Helen
was always made to feel that Indirect
" il was her fault. And she was
humbly self-reproachful and penitent.
And now. when he started 10 leave
for the office. she made a timid little
motion 10 kiss him goodbye. But he
hurried off. pretending not TO notice.
! He had cut his finger putting down
the window. That was a thing not 70
! be quickly overlooked or forgiven. She
must be made TO feel his displeasure.
\ END of first year,