South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1914-03-26
Their Married
Life.
THE THIRD YEAR.

Helen had one Of her periodical fits
OF sullenness. Usually they lasted
only a few days, but this one was go
ing into the second week and Helen's
patience vas sOrely tried.
In spite OF Delia's many good quail
ties-her honesty, economy and clean
illness. there were times when these
sullen spells got on Helen's nerves
that she felt she would rave to let
her go. And this one was not only
lasting longer, but seemed more try
ing than all the others.
Helen was far too reasonable TO eX-
pect an -unchanging Of ami
ability in any one. An occasional ir-
ritability she could have easily for
given. Almost any other form OF dis
agreeableness would have been pref
cradle To the sulky. logged silence
which Della displayed at these { ines.
She would go for days without
speaking unless forced to by "A direct
question. and then her answer would
he as sullenly brief as she could make
What's the matter with Delia?"
Got one OF her grouches?" Warren had
asked hat morning when he wanted
more cream. and Della a brought in
the bottle. slammed IL down on the
table md hOunced out, pretending not
10 hear Helen when she asked if that
was all there was.
yes, she's been like that all the
week. 7 don't think she said two
words yesterday. You don't know
how trying it is TO be with her all day
when she acts that way"
Why do you put up with it?"
What can 1 dO?"
Fire her.
Might BE Worse.
ooh. but Warren. 1 could never get
anybody like Della. She's so honest
and dependable. You can't have
everything. o know. / might get
some one "A great deal worse"
That's up to YOU" indinerently.
IF you want 10 put up with it-yOu
can. But ] wouldn't stand for il. I
can tell you that"
And that day Helen almost came to
the conclusion that she would not
stand for II either.
II was ironing day. In the same
stOlid sullenness Della washed up the
dishes. put on the irons and got out
the ironing board.
Della. ] wish you would iron that
white skirt first. I want 10 mend the
Lace didn't AVE time before / put
10 in the wash Then YOU can press
out that shower sheet next. L want to
hang that up"
Della was ~rearranging the irons on
the stove, and did not deign to reply.
n Helen went out TO %straighten up
he bedroom, which she always did
on ironing day.
Half an hour later she came back
into the kitchen 10 get the skirt and
shower sheet. But Della was calmly
ironing a tablecloth.
Della, 1 told you to iron my skirt
first
No answer.
Didn't YOU understand me. Della,
when ! said to iron my skirt? 20
Had to iron this fore it got
dried" sulkily.
You could have sprinkled it again.
Vow finish that as quickly as you can.
and iron my skirt" HeIen's voice was
unusually sharp.
a little later she came back to find
Della ironing another tableClothi Still
the skirt had not been touched For
q moment Helen was too astOnished
and angry to say anything at all. And
Della. pretending not to see her as she
stood in the door. irOned on without
looking up.
Della. YOU can put that tablecloth
aside now and iron my skirt
\ stubborn Girl.
Have to iron this while it's wet"
still without looking up.
Only nee before had Helen come
Co any real issue with Della and then
Della q won. It had been shortly
after her marriage and Helen terrified
10y the thought Of the unknown inefi-
lencies of a new girl. he'd yielded.
Now she was determined she would
not yield. Without further comment
n unrolled the skirt from the towel
i'm which II had ben s%prinkled. laid il
on the ironing board before Della.
and then deliberately drew the table
cloth from under her iron.
T. was not at all sure what Della
would do. She might put the iron
back. on the stove and 1OunCe out OF
the place. Helen knew that she was
taking ch@nces. but she had been SO
thoroughly irritated 10y this week OF
Delia's surliness that she felt she did
not care.
For a moment Della stood perfectly
still. Helen turned away and calmly
started To resprinkle the tablecloth
and roll 1t up again. When she turn
ed round again Della was ironing the
skirt. But her face was a u brick
red.
Now. Della. wheu you've ironed
that bring il 10 me. / want TO mend
the lace. Then YOU can press out
that shower sheet"
About twenty minutes later. While
Helen was strengthening her top bu-
reau drawer. Della. with a heavy, de
FAINT step. came in. threw the skirt on
"A chair and marched out without a
word. II was wretchedly ironed. The
lace was torn more han il had been