South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1914-03-02
Helen Learns That. in a Woman.
independence Does Not Always
Mean Happiness.
ERT ITRNER

YOU work so hard during the day ,"
asked Helen.
"Oh. 1 know it's not good for me-
I suppose I'm burning the candle at
both ends. But what's the differ
/ might as well 90 out while l can"
Pathetic Words.
"Oh, don't. You mustn't look at it
like that"
Mrs. Morrison shrugged her shout
ders.
IT'S the truth. I'm sand look it
when I'm not made up" with laugh.
| can't bear TO stop at home and think
that ia a fe V years, I'll be old and
alone Oh, it, hideOus for a woman
90 grow old alone. You've got your
husband and your child, YOU can grow
old gracefully"
But you have your work" said
Helen, and your Independence. You
are earning $50 a week"
Work" bitterly. "That daily
grind =? The jealousy; the chickering's
of other. You don't know what it
means Oh, I loath it,"
When you get up in the morning
and don't feel well. you can put on
wrapper and lie down again. I've
got to dress and go TO work and keep
I'D all day And look well, too /
you can stay at home and make your
self comfortable. II doesr matter
how you lOOk-you don't have 10 see
anybody unless you want 10. Or. K
women who live sheltered lives and
have homes of their own only know
what an easy ching tnvy ave of II.
Helen flushed. Il seemed almost
that Mrs. Morrison's remarks We're d.
rected at her, as though she know
something Of the longing that had so
ranked in her lately--the longing for
chance to make money. SO as not
u be so wholly dependent upon War
rem. But, of course, Mrs. Morrison
could not know. Until they had eX-
changed only the briefcst formalitles.
And yet how strange that she should
have said just this.
But yOu-you must have had
home once" ventured Helen. fearful
that the question was a rude one.
"Oh. yes-I had home. And l
was foolish enough to leave it.
Mr.. Morrison only made $40 a
week-and L was ambitious. L thought
7 could do better. And l have" bit
terly. I'm making $50 and what am
l getting out Of it?"
Isis Mr. Morrison living now?'
gently.
"Oh. yes. in the same little Ohio
town. And he's doing well. He's
plodded on till he owns a small bus
mess OF his own. Has bought couple
of lots and built a three-story house.
Then why-why." Helen hesitated.
why don't I go back to him. with
the same bitter laugh. "Oh, he mar
ried three years after | left him. Has
two children now. He thinks I'm per
fectly happy-that ! have everything
in life / want. And. Oh, l want him
to think that" And with something
like a sob, she SUDDENLY turned her
face 10 the wall.
There was a long silence. The
monotonous ticking Of a clock on the
dresser and the rush of a distant
elevated were the only sounds.
At length Helen rose and said
gently. Perhaps YOU can/sleep now.
Shall / turn out this light and raise
the window a little -
IF YOU WILL YEARLY.
Closing the door softly after her,
Helen went back 10 her own room.
She felt awed and strangely stirred.
almost as though she had witnessed
some tragic play And this was Mrs.
Morrison's story. Under the arti-
fatalities Of rouge and powder and
peroxide there was. Sfter all wom-
ans heart-with all a voman's long
ing for love and protection and
home.