The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-12-19

much per ton. We burn about so
much per month. I don't eat 1t or
trade 1t on for caramels. and yet you
raise q row every two or three weeks
about the coal bill. II hear another
word from you this winter about coal.
III put out every fire and turn this
house into cold storage establish
ment!''
That was Mrs. Bowser sitting there
before him-the same Mrs Bowser
whom he had bulldozed and brow
beaten for years and years. and she
was now talking to him in that fash
lon. 1t was the same woman sure
enough, but he looked at her as one in
dream, and her words seemed to
come from far away.
buy the neat and groceries" she
continued, land 1 buy as economical
~ as l can I save at least Is per
cent more than you could, and yet
you are always finding fault. 1 am
tired of it. You either cease to talk
or cease to buy! You are also con-
stantly NEEDING with the kitchen
help, and thereby usurping my au-
thority. If you think you can run the
kitchen, then stay home and do it.
The best girl I have had for years left
me yesterday because you were al
ways poking your nose in the kit
chen"
"P-poke-poking my nose" muir
INJURED Mr.. Bowser as he grew white
around the mouth.
That's what 1 said. You thought
yourself a philanthropist when you
sneaked down and said it was too bad
she had to work for living. but she
called you a bald-headed old med
dler!'
"She-she called me that, did she.
Why, the-the-"
And here's another thing, Mr..
Won \ 70
play cards to pass away the evening.
We sit down to play. and because I
beat you three or four straight games
you get mad and kick things about
and wish you had spent the evening
at the club. I don't know where your
club is, or what it is like, but any
time you prefer it to my society don't
hesitate on my account! AS a matter
of fact. you hardly know one card
from another, and should take lessons
from me for two or three months!
However, as I shall never play with
you again, it's a matter Of indiffer-
ence."
Mr.. Bowser rose up and gasped.
Then he sat down and choked. Mrs.
BOwser could see his lips moving, but
no sound came from them.
And you talk about my extrava-
gance in clothes" she said as she
looked him up and down. Eyes, that
- a PCT AOOOy VI yOulS anu yet yOu
know you spend more for cocktails
than do for gloves-more for cigars
than I do for shoes-more for worth
less patent medicines than I do for
dresses. There isn't a husband in the
state earning $50 per week whose wife
does not dress like a queen compared
to me. You have got to stop throw
ing away money and turn it over to
me to dress on!"
"Woman-w-o-m-a- Bow
a a n lint Hn moi tod
her finger and said:
"Once in a great while you open
your heart and give me a dollar for
pin money, but you expect it to last
me for three months. I want a change
right here and now. I want week
ly allowance. and a liberal one at
that! You simply drink fewer cock
tails and smoke fewer cigars and I'll
take the money! It's a favorite theory
of yours that no woman can be trust
ed with money, but if 1 can't make Is
cents go further than your dollar, I'll
be willing to mend my own shoes!'
Mr.. Bowser got up to walk about.
but his knees wabbled so that he had
to sit down again.
There's another thing, while we
are talking matters over. Whenever
you get mad at me you talk divorce,
alimony and all that. If you want a
divorce from me. go and file your ap-
pllcatiOn, and 1 won't contest it. I'm
young enough and good looking
enough to find another husband in q
year or two. and I'll take care he isn't
crank! AS to alimony, I've helped
you to make all you have, and 1 shall
| want half of it. If there's a separa-
ton one of us will have to leave this
house, and it won't be me, Mr.. Bow
ser! 1 think this is about all. 1 am
now going up to my room, and should
anybody call you will say that 1 am
not at home. Should you wish to talk
with me on any subject we have miss
| ed. Just come up stairs and give three
raps on the door. but I think we have
| gone into matters pretty thoroughly "
She vanished upstairs, and then Mr.
Bowser sat with his head in his hands
and thought and pondered for the
next half hour. He couldn't make il
out, try as he would, and when Mrs
Bowser came down stairs at midnight
she found him asleep on the lounge
and a tear in the corner of either eye
-(Copyright, 1914, by the Mcclure
Newspaper Syndicate.)