South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1913-09-18
X X X X X \ x X X X x X )
x MARRIED LIFE THE
< FIRST YEAR AFTER
: THE HONEYMOON !
BY Mabel Herbert Urner.

Warren, you'd better leave some
money this morning for the laundry
and milk man."
Warren turned from the critical
adjustment of his tie in the hall mir
ror.
Why. that check I gave you Sat
urday--haven't YOU any of that
lefs?"
How could there be any left? You
knew ! had Anna to pay out of that
and the grocer"
His annoyance was evident. From
his hip pocket he reluctantly drew
out his wallet
We'll. how much do you want?''
Helen flushed. Don't ask me like
that. Warren"
Don't you like that? How in
thunder do you want me to ask you p"
It's your attitude-every time
lately that I've asked you for money
you've somehow made me feel that
It's my fault-that I'm responsible
for these household bills"
There you go again-if you'd just
let up on that imagination of yours.
It's not imagination. You know
how reluctantly you have left any
money lately.
We'll do you know how much it
takes to run this place We thought
we could live on 5000 a month. And
last month it was over $500"
But that was the first month-we
were just getting settled, and OF
course. there were many things to
buy that we will not need again"
We'll, how much do you want
nOw?" In the same impatient, irri-
table voice
Without answering, Helen went
1
ed with some bills which she placed
before himb on the hat rack
There are bills. You can leave
what you choose"
Well, you needn't be so tragic
about it," He glanced at the bills
and threw down ten dollars. 'Why
couldn't you have told me the amount
in the first place without all this
FUSS"
Warren. this is the last thing I
ever thought we would have any
unpleasantness about-and it is the
one that will hurt me most. That
we should have the cheap, humiliat-
ing Squabbles o~er money which
some married people have"
Well, who is doing this? Just be
cause YOU didn't like the infection of
my voice when l asked how much
you wanted
whole attitude, your way of making
me feel that you are comforting a
favor upon me by paying the bills.
You place me in the position of a
supplicant These are household bills
they are no more mine than yours.
If our expenses are too heavy will
gladly agree to any plan TO reduce
them. We can take a cheaper apart
ment and do without many things
thing except 20 being placed in the
position of having TO beg you for
money"
Aren't you making a lot of fuss
about nothing?"
"Oh. Warren. don't try TO turn it
off that way. This is the one thing
l have taken a stand about. ! have
let you dominate me in everything
else But l have always been fierce
" proud and sensitive about money.
Mother was the same way. Father
recognized that. and arranged for her
an allowance so she never had to
ask him for anything. She was al
ways very careful and economical
and | think YOU will find that 1 am
Then / suppose you want me to
give you an allowance. Is that it,
Il don't want you TO give me any
thing! It's that attitude in you that
L resent so flercely. I'm your wife,
I'm not a pensioner-and l won't be
made 10 feel that / am! And be-
sides" with a hysterical sob, Il don I
need or want anything for myself;
I've enough of my wedding clothes TO
last a year And l WON'T won't
have you give me money for the
house as though you were doing it
out TO some beneficiary
She was now leaning against the
hat rack and sobbing bitterly.
Perhaps some OF the Justice of
what she said appealed to him for
after a moments hesitation he put
his arm awkwardly about her.
There, there, Helen, you're very
foolish and Oversensitive, that's all.
And the remark about your clothes
wasn't that rather hard? OF course,
i want to buy your cIothes-every
man wants TO provide for his wife
/ And if I've seemed-well. a little inn
| patient when you've asked for mon
| el. it's only because things have been
costing so much more than we
| thought. But I'm not blaming you
YOU must get that idea out of your
head. And as you said, last month
ives the first month. and. of course
/ the expenses would be more. l dare
/ say il will be all right after this
/ There now" kissing her, Il must
hurry. I'm late as il is Now don't
think anything more about il. And
| I'll try TO phone you around noon