The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1916-03-14
ARTENlSIA
BY JANE OSBORN.

nave something important to say to
YOU Being a consistent suffragist, OF
course, l believe in the economic in
dependence OF women. | am going to
start the first day Of our life together
by being-being independent. | am
going to get a job and have wages,
and then l shall never have to ask
you for money"
Sounds as If you had cribbed that
out OF ono of Mrs. Cats best
speeches." said Walter, trying to be
facetious in spite of the surprise that
his little wife had just sprung.
Artemisia's cheeks were red and her
brown eyes flashed fire. Il am sure i
shall never be a parasite. Ii ! don't
know how to support myself ! shall
learn. You know that what little
money i had left me was almost used
up in my education. What remained
spent on the suffrage campaign and
my trousseau."
What do l carer" demanded Wal
ter. Thank goodness, I'm no pau
per, and I've got job besides. But
what about the little apartment?
Don't you like that any more?"
Certainly. We intended to keep
a maid anyway. Well, she can keep
house just as well when l am not
thSe as when l am. We can both
give her orders before we start out
to work in the morning"
It was month after their return to
their apartment and thirty days of
worry they had been. At last, after a
reign of four perfectly worthless
maids, they had managed to induce
q fifth to accept the position. Arte-
misia had found that it was no easy
matter for an unframed, inexperi-
enced girl to get work in the busy city
and Walter, for some reason, had CIV
en- her no recommendation to his
friends.
But now for three weeks she had
hard work. To be sure, it offered only.
minimum wage, and as counter
girl in one OF the large publishing
houses she stood very small chance
of advancement. Thanks to the
eight-hour law, she worked only
from nine to six, but even at that she
returned home at night an hour after
her husband, and through sheer
WEAKNESS on her part and the inn
patience of the cook to have the din
ner things out of the way she always
dined in the clothes she had worked
in. The pretty house dresses on
which she had expended the last OF
ner small inheritance hung unused
in the wardrobe and there was small
chance that she would ever use them.
Then, one day, things went wrong
from the morning to night. Artemisia
started out in the morning with her
husband and together they boarded
the surface car. TO her surprise, he
paid only his own car fare.
you forgot me- she whispered as
the conductor held his hand out to
her.
"Oh, haven't you any cash with
your he asked in surprise.
Yes answered Artemisia slowly,
though she had barely enough to pay
for her meager luncheon, and as she
offered her own hard-earned nickel to
the conductor she imagined that the
entire company had noticed the Incl
dent. AS matter of fact. the con-
ductor smiled pityingly and under his
breath said, Pretty rough, amt it,
lady?"
When Artemisia returned home that |
night she found Walter waiting for her
at the apartment door.
Now, don't get excited, little girl"
he began, putting his arm around her,
but that fine cook of ours has left /
with all the silver There was nobody
home when l cane, so / naturally
looked around. Did you leave any
jewelry?"
Yes. my engagement ring in my
jewel box. The rest is in the safe de-
sosit. l don't like to wear diamonds
at work"
well, there's nothing left in your
level box now, but don't worry, dear,
nave telephoned the police
Together they prepared a little sup
Der and with all the delightful compan-
onship of the two young lovers that
hey were they sat down to the first
neal that they had ever had alone to-
yether.
Il should think you would be cross"
said at length. Il should
hink you would tell me that if had
'een at home where / should be it
wouldn't have happened.
Why should II" asked Walter. "You
re only living up to your convictions"
Yes, but you were so very, very
ross to me this morning. | felt just
Miserable about it all day and ! could
ardly do any work. If you had slapped
ny face in the car | wouldn't have
slt any more mortified"
But ! was only letting you live up
, your convictions, too. The man who
economically Independent pays his
wn car fare. The idea that men must
ay women's way is only survival Of
ie middle ages, isn't it?"