Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-05-14

which beset him. seeking her advice in
the dear. chummy way which had made
her proud: nor did she retail the
little happenings of her day. for the
simple reason that. right in their own
home. there could be found neither the
tine nor the place. for after dinner in
the living room. almost one with the
dining room. Sue and Becky. they
had been told to, made themselves at
home.
No longer in the days of their
aloneness did Tanner sit on one side
of the library table reading snatches of
news to his wife on the. other. or. per
haps, sitting for long minutes utterly
content in the silence Of complete un-
Outstanding. In their new mode of life
their reading table was bounded by four.
Becky's studies were finished with dis
patch. and then there was a resumption
of the chatter of the dinner hour.
After a time..quite in the natural or
der Of things. they tried TO assure them
selves-Sue and Becky began to have
company. OF course. the living room was
ners rather enjoyed the group around
the piano singing snaiches of all the
popular songs. But before long il began
10 pail Mrs. Tanner became painfully
conscious that the gaSety in the front
room was getting on Toms nerves Fur
thermore. he missed his easy chair, he
missed his reading lamp. he fidgeted I'M
der the inadequate light from the dome
over the dining table. Finally. he made
no attempt 10 conceal from the eyes
watching him anxiously the frowns of i'm
patience which fitted across his face as
the noise in the living room proved an
irritating disturber to a quiet evening
over a pipe and the late magazines.
Then. in the morning if the exaspera-
ton of the night before had vanished
and he assured his wife. penitently. that
he knew he would settle down soon and
get used to it, Immediately her unvary-
ing rem :nder came. in a Hurried little
way. Tom, please hurry with Your cold
plunge. dear; YOU know Sue takes one.
and Becky. and if you want TO shave this
morning" His brows drew together
in the fierce little scowl Mrs. Tanner had
begun to dread, and SO the day began un-
propitiously.
Gradually lines of worry began to plow
their way into Mrs Tanners pretty little
face She realized to the full that her
, idoliZed Tom was utterly miserable under
the new conditions she had brought into
their home life; that. indeed. they were
both paying the price for her way to the
beautiful fat in the beautiful neighbor-
hood which she began TO wish she had
never heard Of.
Suddenly she told Tom SO. II was on
a day in the spring when the air was soft
and swee, and breathed of innumer-
able growing things. Sue and Becky
were going out TO dinner in a suburb.
Tanners face had clouded at the word
II.
his wife eagerly when the announcement
had been made. and whispered they
stood at the door alone. Have dinner
early. little woman, 50 our evening
alone may be as long as possible.
All day she had gone about the nat
with a song on her lips 1t was per-
feet joy 10 plan a menu for Tom alone
to make little dishes he liked. which
had never made a hit with Sue or
Becky Then when Tom came in with
big bunch of tulips one of the boys
had brought from his suburban home.
and smiled at her from the head Of the
table with the old Tom smile. exclaim-
ing in his happiness at absolute free
dom from restraint. Great Scott. Beth.
this being alone is great adding in
stantlv in his old thoughtful way for
her. But we won't talk about that.
time given US. she went around to him
Standing behind him with her chin
resting on his shoulder. she said. softly:
TON. We only have six-month lease
here. haven't we?
Tanner looked up at her quickly.
yes. Beth. Why"
.Recause-because-oh. Tom. dear Id
rather go back TO the poky old neigh
borhood than live this way any longer!
Quickly Tanner drew her down to him.
| You don't mean that. BETH
dears. but ! want YOU and our own
little home. in the old way, once more.
As he held her close in complete un-
derstanding her eyes travelled TO the
tulips. And Tom. my way has proven
should try yours? The suburbs must
look lovely now, dear. AT the budding
~ CTHE ENRJ