The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1916-10-04
THE DAILY
SHORT STORY
William Wins.
BY SHIRLEY MOSES.

.tlsls WILLIAM WINS.
BY SHIRLEY MOSES.
EtCopyrlght, 1916, by the Mcclure
Newspaper syndicate.)
Husbands and cooks, husbands and
cooks,
When q girl r.arries she loses her
looks"
sTdE Victrola next door called tho
sentiment out Of window just os
= Lillian Farrell tied checked apron
over her afternoon dress and starteo
down stairs for the kitchen. She had
come home from party and there was
no time to change. William would be
home soon wanting his dinner.
That's as truth as the Bible" she
agreed, for things had CONT wrong all
day and instead Of the bridge game
soothing her ruffled spirits 1t had
made things worse. She had always
fenvied Madeleine Dempster her well.
Sprdered house, clothes and servants.
sDut she had gone prepared TO ignore
THE difference In their circumstances
and to have q good time.
1.-THE girls are always nice to ME
anyway even II do wear last seasons
clothes. 80 I'll be amiable and forget
my troubles" she resolved.
z But almost every one there had a
new dress, rich new satin or silk. city
made. Instantly she had felt frumpy.
Her dark blue crepe, made at home
to begin with, had ntver done any.
thing more than answer purpose.
She knew It lacked dash and made
her look old-because 1t was made too
young for her. And, looking around
the room at the carefully massaged
faces. professionally shampooed heads
and manicured hands that bore bur.
.dens Of gems, she eft that every line
in her face was an inch deep. htr hair
thin and badly done, and her hands
red and rawboned from dishwashing.
They seemed to portrude ignominious.
" from sleeves that had always been
an inch too short.
Sober resolve had been shortlived
1t had been impossible to keep q brave
front when every fibre in her was
protesting at her lot. She COMPLAINED
OF asheadache, played badly, and left
as early as she could.
She went down to the kitchen with
the Vfctrola screaming after her,
Husbands and cooks. she loses her
looks" a. -
! Not a woman, there had to go home
and get her own dinner! 1t doesn't
seem fair. William doesn't seem to
realize that he is 3S and should have
made some money by this time. He's
Rs happy and placid as a summer day,
In spite Of the fact that his one and
only venture In stocks has cleaned
him out Of almost every cent he had
AL we've worked FOR. and saved since
we'vE Ibeept Married. When make me
She. banged the kettle Of potatoes
pm to the stove. lighted the broiler for
The steak and fixed some cheese balls
balls for salad.
7 hate this old kitchen. hate this
ipld house, and my old clothes, and I
hate-William! Yes, do! He's get.
ting fat and bald and he never keeps
his trousers creased any more, they're
Always bagging at the knee, and he
doesn't do anything but read the pa.
per or go to sleep in his chair, and
be never seems to think I need
thing. Yes, I hate, hate, hate him!
There he is now!"
= The front door shut and William
called back. Hello momsy!" They
bad never had any children, but he
had adopted the pet name long ago.
Hello" she answered duly, clearing
the coffee with cold water.
4 He came to the door, ANY news?"
4. "No." She didn't look up.
He crossed the kitchen and kissed
her on the cheek.
I'VE. ), you out. HON"
go to the bridge party" -,
" MA. a good timer
mo? What's the matter, girlie-one
pf your headaches again"
"a little BIT"
"Too bad, You'll feel better maybe
when you get your dinner. Let the
dishes CO."
That's no help. They have to be
done in the morning."
That's SO. Well, dear, I'm sorry.
IS things are ready I'll wash up and
be down In a jiffy."
AS he took his good.natured bulk out
Of the kitchen Lillian wiped an indig.
nant tear from the corner Of her eye,
and began lifting the dinner. at
doesn't do any good to tell him I'm
tired OF being poor. He never seems
to understand anyway. AS long as he
has q good meal and a comfortable
place to sleep, nothing else matters"
She lighted table candles, poured