The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram., 1913-08-06
MARRIED LIFE
THE FIRST YEAR
BY MABEL HERBERT uRNER.

| Y n and hat and came in with
| wv brisk cheerfulness.
Il say, Helen, wouldn't
| you like to go to the theatre? Bob Car
tor sent me some passes today"
"The theatre?" Why, couldn't take
| the baby"
| We'll, l rather guess not"
And I couldn't leave her
why not2"
"Why she's too little
Nonsense, Marie can take care OF
| her tonight
Helen looked doubtful.
"You haven't been anywhere for
months" he assured her stoutly it'll
do you a world of good. Let's have
| dinner early and CO."
But
"Oh. now don't begin to find excuses.
1t will do you good, tell you. It's time
you were getting out some"
| 1t ended by their hurrying through
dinner. Helen dressed while vacillat-
| ing between her room and the nurs-
cry. She gave innumerable instructions
to Marie about the baby. She gave min
ute details as to what to do or not to
do-covering every possible emergen-
cy.
To all of them Marie murmured her
solid, yes, ma'am; yes, ma'am.
"Now, don't forget to keep this door
closed; if it gets too warm you can
turn off the radiator"
Yes, ma'am."
You know the right milk-the bot
tie on the lower shelf of the ice box.
That other bottle is yesterday's-be
/, sure and don't get that"
"Yes, ma'am."
And stir it up carefully before you
warm 1.-THE cream on top must be
well mixed"
Yes, ma'am."
Nov, if anything should happen, or
go wrong, you are to telephone at
once to the theatre, as l told you. I've
written down the number on this card,
and, I'll put it up here right over the
telephone. Here, do you see? Now We
will leave the location of our seats at
the ticket window, so all you have to
do is to ask for Mr.. and Mrs. Curtis.
Now do you think you understand?
Yes, ma'am.''
Hurry up there," came from the
front room where Warren was waiting
impatiently Its ten minutes to eight
now"
Yes, | know-Im almost ready"
And then to Marie: when you take
with your hand as I've shown you. You
must be very careful about that-I've
told you so many times and yet the
other day l saw you
Yes, yes-in just a moment" Then
to Marie, And be sure to keep her
feet warm. Here's an extra blanket I'll
leave it right here. And here's a.
But Warren had come to the door.
Were not going to Europe, you
know We're just going to the theatre.
Don't you think you've left enough in
structions to cover about three hours?"
Yes, l know-but if it should take
cold while we're away-I'd never for
give myself"
We'll, it's asleep now. and it'll prob
ably sleep till we get back. Now are
you ready?'
riedly through her top bureau drawer.
1t was after eight when they finally
got off and after half-past when they
reached the theatre. Helen insisted on
stopping to leave their name and the
location of their seats with the man
at the ticket window
"And if anyone should telephone
you will send the usher for us at
once?" she demanded anxiously.
The man nodded indifferently and
turned to the party behind her, who
was asking for orchestra seats"
Third row of the balcony-nothing
down stairs
Helen turned away reluctantly. "Oh,
do you suppose he will remember-he
seemed to pay so little attention.
Hadn't you better speak to him again. -
again.
But Warren dragged her on impati-
emily. Cant you see how late we
are?"
The theatre was darkened and the
curtain went up as they entered. The
usher finally took their tickets and led
them stumbling down the aisle.
Their seats were in the center of the
row and half a dozen people had to
be disturbed before they could be
reached. The men stood up, the won't
en-, with ill-concealed impatisnce,
clutched at their hats on their laps and
drew back their skirts.
This comes of your making US
late" Warren whispered angrily. Hav
ing to crawl all over those people!"
|'Hush-as-s-dear, don't" laying
conciliatory hand on his arm.
Just then a very pretty girl rushed
on the stage and WaTren's attention
was for the moment diverted.
After the first act, while Werren