The Colorado statesman., 1915-01-09

viii treat you to cooking that will melt
In yavr mouth, though she may re-
ceive you in a calico dress, just as she
comes from a kitchen. Sometimes I
wish she had a little more style, but
she is domestic treasure. I'll bet
she can make dollar go farther than
any other woman of the present gener-
alton"
When the train pulled into the sta
tion, the two gentlemen hurried out
upon the long platform. chatting jovi-
ally.
Suddenly Lyman caught a glimps Of
a trim, graceful woman, in a modish
tailor-made black suit, with her blonde
hair fetchingly marcelled beneath a
heavily plumed hat.
There is a swell woman" ex-
claimed Lyman. Il can't fancy her
in a calico wrapper"
The lady under inspection turned
her head in a way that gave Lyman a
full view of her face. Instantly his
eyes bulged with astonishment
"She looks as Bess used to- he
muttered family. 'It can't be possi-
BILE. 1t is, by Jove."
Mrs. Lyman's perfect costume in
spired her with self-confidence, and
nothing could have been prettier than
her manner of greeting her puzzled
spouse.
why, Bess, I'm surprised" he
stammered, fairly limp from bewilder-
ment.
You act as though you had en-
countered a ghost" was the laughing
retort.
Lyman collected his wits sufficiently
to introduce his friend, who pinched
him on the sly and whispered:
You're rare humbug. Home body!
Calico wrappers! Good Lord! Tell
that to some other scout"
Lyman had hardy recovered his COM
posure when they reached home.
Mrs. Lyman led the trio, and was
cordial in seconding her husbands
hospitality, remarking ingeniously: Il
am afraid you will find things rather
muddled. / have been out all the af-
ternoon, and left the children playing
circus"
Lyman scarcely recognized his
home, in which disorder reigned for
the first time, and he was almost
speechless with modification and dis
appointment when they sat down to
dinner of tough fried steak, lumpy
mashed potatoes and soggy bread, sup
plemented by thin lemon pie from a
bakeshop.
The mystified husband felt that he
must be dreaming. Mrs. Lyman
seemed sweetly unconcerned, and in
no way disturbed by the unappetizing
repast, or by the laundering service of
her awkward maid
Never had her conversation been SO
| engaging. The visitor thought his host
had developed into bad practical
| joker, and wondered if he would be
able to get satisfactory lunch at the
club.
Lyman finally began to get angry.
| After the wretched meal was finished.
but not eaten, he contrived to draw
his wife aside, and whispered:
What under heaven do you mean,
Bess, in getting up such dinner-for
company, tool"
81 didn't get the dinner" said Bess
innocently.
81 should say not" grumbled Ly-
man; "but why didn't you?"
For two reasons" replied Mrs. Ly-
man, not a whit abashed. Il am tired
of being merely queen of the Gu
linary art, and / am going to try to be
as young and agreeable as Mrs. Hick-
son. 1t would be great fun to be taken
| for your second wife.
81 have decided that it doesn't pay
| to spend so much of my allowance
| upon the table. 1t shows more in up
| to-date clothes.
Hereafter shall be ready to attend
parties with you. OF course, you will
| not mind a few extra bills. l know
you must have often been ashamed of
mel have been such a frump-but
| it is never too late to mend"