South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1914-05-21

Helen had interviewed about washing
her. had said that just before she was
quite dry. a cup of fuller's earth
should be thoroughly rubbed into her
fur.
And now Helen unwrapped Pussy
Purrmew, placed her on a newspaper
spread out on the bathroom floor, and
rubbed the brown sandy dust all over
her
A wet kitten looked pathetic
enough. but a damp kitten coated
with fuller's earth is picture OF abb
ject misery. For once Maggie'S poor
animal was an appropriate phrase.
IL was over two hours before she
was thoroughly dry. and then came
the process of brushing out the earth.
But this Pussy Purrmew loved.
She lay stretched out on the paper,
purring loudly, while Helen brushed
her until her fur was soft and SILKY
end at least two shades lighter.
ThSn Helen was called away to the
telephone. and. right after that the
man came 20 put some weather strip
pings on the window. SO the news
papers she had left on Warrens bath
room floor were entirely forgotten.
What are those papers in my
bathroom for?" he demanded as soon
as he came home that evening.
And Helen hurried in 10 gather them
up. I'VE washed Pussy Purrmew to-
day and / put the paper down to
brush her one"
ugh" grunted Warren. Cant you
find any better way 10 spend your
time than TO wash a cat?"
But, dear, every one said il I'm to
exhibit her this year she ought TO be
washed. Wait till you see how beau
/ tiful she looks"
II was not until after they were
seated at dinner that Pussy Purrmew
deigned TO appear and take her
fayorite place on the window sill
Look, dear, isn't che lovely? You
| see how much lighter she is?'
'Um m, she does look lighter" ad-
mitted Warren. How'd you wash
her? Didn't enjoy it much. did she?'
mo; but she was very good-better
| than / thought she'd be. And we rub
| bed her all over with fuller's earth.
| That's what makes her fur so silky.
And, on. what do you think ?" laugh
| ingly. I'VE blued her,"
Warren grunted unbelievingly.
But we did. dear. That's 10 keep
her fur from looking yellowish."
'Who put that idea in your head ~
'Why, everyone who has gray or
white hair puts bluing in the rinsing
water"
"Nonsense."
"They do, dear. 1t. makes a better
color. That's what I'll have to dc
some day" And Helen sighed as she
invariably did when she thought OF
growing old.
We'll. il affects the color. You
j just said that's why they used it,"
Yes, l know-but that isn't
/ There you admit ii again. My
. no hot he
try to caange its color. and you'll not
either. It's bad enough TO have your
face plastered up with white powder
without having your hair artificial
| too"
why Warren, you know 1 use
very little powder"
"Oh. you do, do you? Then why
does il come off on my coat every
time you come near me? But I'll not
stand for any touched-up hair-un-
derstand that"
"Oh dear, how foolish! Think whar
| an absurd thing we're quarreling
about! l haven't even one gray hail
yet, and I won't have" Iaughingly
| unless YOU keep on arguing about
such ridiculous things"
Arguing? You're doing the argu
ing. I only said wasn't going tC
stand for any touched-up hair. AND
I'm not There's no argument about
that. is there?"
NO, dear" conciliatory. for hi:
voice had grown more heated. "DC
try some of these Stewed apples
They're the ones Uncle John sent us
What day did he say he'd be in towI
again? Thursday, wasn't it,"
And so Helen adroitly changed the
| subject, avoiding more seriou,
clash, as she had so many counties:
! times before.
We're all men so childishly irritable
and unreasonable? She wondered
Did they all have to be pacihed, con
| ciliated and given way to? Was tina
| the duty OF most wives?