The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1913-07-28
Daily Short Story
A Genia, Host.

hurry. 10, Clara cried before her
husband had time To hang his hat UP.
You're late
Credit page didn't jibe with the
debit. so | stayed TO hunt a strayed
hgure eight" he explained Whats
/ the rush, as he sat down at the wait
Ing dinner table.
Why, the Brittons' party" was the
answer. And il takes an hour TO get
there. even on the elevated. I've laid
all your clothes out
AS Clara spoke she was eating rap.
idly. and waiting on the two children
Ruth. aged 4. and Alice. 6. Her
hair was fiuffed and her face was pow.
/ dered.
10 looked az her admiringly. lie
was big. broad shouldered man but
awkward looking even when sitting.
He didn't enthuse over the coming
J gayeiy. I'D rather stay 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
or bread In non-committal silence. but
the shadow OF frowu lay upon her
pretty face. Her under lip was
pressed closely against the upper-a
trick she had when she was not
pleased. And then she looked at 10
! from under lowered eyelids. Secret.
] ~ she was comparing him with the
man he deprecated. and the compari.
son 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 appearance. Tired ?
/ OF course 10 was tired. A bookkeep-
or In big machine shop. who was
also general assistant. worked hard
and could not come home at night
/ immaculate. But even when he was
! shaved and had his clothes pressed.
I 10 was awkward in look and manner
Tell YOU what" he said presently.
! I'll take you and come home and STAY
with the kids. Then I'll come after
yOu"
'IouH do no such thing" Clara
cried. tearfully Il think you're mean
Other women's husbands like to 60 "a
places. I've got the maid from next
door 10 stay with the children. And,
10. do try 10 talk tonight instead OF
I getting into corner as quickly as
, possible and acting like an oyster"
/ 10 looked distressed. like school
/ boy caught IN mischief Il can't
D 'ti' o. NV NtAlil ftOIf.Is ] 10 thl X
/ and cant think OF blessed thing 10
! say. Tho Lord knows I fairly rack
/ my brains trying 10 think Of some
thing brilliant guess ! was born
{ stupid. NV tongues tied. except with
! Won and the kids lie laughed good
I naturedlv
! Bu' Clara did not laugh Hell
frowu deepened. She hurried into the
next room 10 complete her dressing
Later. when 10 was dressed and they
/. We're ready 70 start a CLEAN OF hostile
I criticism shot from her pretty blue
/ eyes his tall. stOop-shouldered form
70 was waving HIS hand a, Ruth. and
, missed rs Wife's look
Arrived at the Brit'ons' house a
} SNOWY plac" both inside and out. 10
shook hands with his host and host
csS. trailed after Clara for while
until She was absorbed In converse.
tion. then PROMPTLY went 20 a corner
/ behind some plans Vhe-e. with a
friend 90 similar hent. no talked shop.
Cara sighed resicnedlv and pro.
ceeded 10 enjoy herself The double
p1rlors. library and reception room,
4 Wor" crowded with guests Mrs Hrit.
{ ton moved about among them -ather
resil"ssly. She was a thin. old ish
woman. Win q faded prettiness that
mad" one understand whv her hsis-
band had chosen her. and az tho Same
time wonder why he had not been a,.
iracted by stronger tyre. Her
+ mouth wa Querul0us and her ewes
had certain furtive look Edward
Hrltton. though. was the pe.sonifca-
Ton ~ courtesy. and he possessed the
kn1ck ~ entertaining Clara's sense
~ jos deficiencies grew As she con.
trast'd her own parties. which she
. gave iufreqIently Thoer 10 was will.
p ine to second her. but his assistance
Vas 60 awkward and he was so appar.
entity uncomfortable that she was will.
ing 20 Do without 10
Intil tonight he. unfavorabla com
parison had been vague. hut nov +,
cam" keen Mr. Bri''cn vas a sue.
cessrl lawyer. with an income four
times Jos II crossed his mind that
PERHAPS HIS polish and suavity had