The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1914-08-01

smile.
And do you ask my permission
before you make appointments with
women?' she queried sarcastlcally.
l strove to speak calmly. do try
to be sensible, Doris! You know that
professional engagements are very diff
ferent from social affairs"
l did not ask her not to go to lunch
con again with men. for / was sure
that If l did she would go when she
chose, only would say nothing to me
about 1t.
My wife and my mother we're never
intimate. l am sure that my mother
tried to think Of Doris as a daughter,
but they had little in common, except
their love for me-and that is not
often a bond Of union between a mans
wife and his mother.
OF course l went to see my mother
whenever l could, and soon l learned
not to mention many OF these calls,
for Doris had a nagging way of OBJ
jecting to them. Each afternoon, af-
ter my round visits, as l returned to-
ward home, 1 would glance at my
hdACu do L IGdAtu NY ulOlutT . uOu5G,
and if 1 had time l would run in and
chat for a while. A week after the
conversation Just recorded l was
warming my chilled hands at my
mothers CHEEKY grate-fre when the
telephone in her hall rang sharply.
1 was wanted on the wire.
1t was my wife who was speaking.
She had reached home ten minutes
before, expecting to find me there,
as my office hours had already be-
gun. The maid had told her that l
had been called up three times by one
person, as l was wanted on an ur-
gent case.
ut just occurred to me- added
Doris. that perhaps you were at your
mothers, although 1 could hardly be-
lieve it, as you called there only yes
terday afternoon"
Perhaps the fact that the telephone
was between us made 1t easier for me
to say, Il am here many afternoons"
That evening, over our coffee, she
remarked:
tom, I wish you would pay more
attention to business"
/ looked my amazement.
"Yes," she continued, 81 do! This
afternoon you might have missed a
good big consultation fee just by stop
ping to see your mother"
There are some things I care more
for than money" l remarked Illogical
".
II know it," she exclaimed. "And
l think it's pretty hard on me that
you do not earn all the money that
you might. Don't you suppose that I
would like to have the things that rich
doctors wives have?"
1 set down my cup and gazed at her
incredulously.
"Oh, yes" she went on, Il mean
what 1 say! You think just because
l don't speak of such things that I
never wish l had a motor car, and
trained servants, and a private house,
and lots Of handsome clothes! l tell
you, Tom, those are the things that
make life worth while"
And is not your life worth while?"
l asked.
"Of course you think it is because
I am married to you'll" she burst forth.
But what have l? An apartment,
when I want a house; two servants,
when I want a h~alf-dozen-as other
women have; a trolley car or a taxi
cab to ride in, when l want my own
motor; one new dress where I really
need q h~alf-dozen!"
Perhaps" / said coldly, "you may
some day have all these things, but
it will not be until l am an older man.
If you loved me you would be willing
to wait and be patient"
I pushed my chair back and left the
table. I simply did not dare remain
longer in the room with my wife. My
temper is quick and hot, and the only
way In which I can control 1t is to get
away alone with 1t. l had had time
to become calm when, an hour later,
Doris opened the door of the library
where l sat reading.
Dear Tom," she said softly, 81 was
very horrid, and cross, and piggy to-
night, and l am sorry. Won't you
please forgive me? For I love you,
Tom, and even IL you were as poor as
"A newspaper man"-with a gurgling
laugh-'T would love you just as much
as l do now"
I gathered her into my arms and
kissed her.
She perched contentedly on my knee
and talked, running her fingers
through my hair. Really, Tom, I
think one thing that makes me so
horrid and fretful is because 1 am
worried. / need some new clothes
d~readfully."
MANY of them?" L asked, remem-
bering sundry obligations l must meet
the first of the month.
well, several" she laughed. "And
now that l am trying to be good ]
think l ought to make a confession to
you. Tom"
go ahead!" l said.
well, / really need a new street.
dress and a reception-gown, and, be-
sides that, an evening gown, but l did
not want to bother you about all this
when you have so much on your mind,
!, so / just ordered one Of them-the
INSTRUMENTATION saying any
/ thing to you about 1t. 1t is made SO
handsomely that 1t will do for an
evening gown. too. except upon very
farming TO supply the New York mar
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