The Washington herald., 1916-11-27

The other afternoon had tea at the
home OF one Of the famous actresses In
New York. We discussed 'oadly and
analytically the most weighty experiences
in our lives. Most of the women were
married; most OF them had known much
JOY. and all Of them had lived through
heart-breaking 3orTows.
The nrst actress who spoke Of her life
with her husband was q well-known
comedienne. She had married an actor
who' nve years ago. gave up the stage
to become a producer.
Raised in a New England family. ]
had always been taught that a woman's
duty rests entirely within her own home"
said this woman. During our engage
ment, i made all my plans to retire from
the stage as soon as We were married
My husband-afraid / would be lonely,
for at that time he was starring in vau-
deVille-urged me to take >--Iy small
apartment. a nest he called II, and shake
the responsibilities Of a large home, an
expense which necessarily would keep me
from accompanying him.
But was determined; I thought II
was good wife's duty to make a home
for her husband. As a young girl / had
been very en- rgetic housekeeper and,
as wife in a home OF my own, ! gave
up my whole time to the labor Of manag-
ing. machine fashion. this house.
Jack, who had been used to the easy
living OF a bachelors club, though he did
not demonstrate during the first golden
honeymoon days, soon grew tired Of the
alarm clock startling him at the same
hour every morning. 1t made no differ
ence what time he came In the night be-
fore, ] always demanded that we should
have our breakfast by o'clock. In
sisting on this. I nagged John into the
habit.
The cosy drawing-room and library
which he had dreamed of and planned
before our marriage. visualizing book
cases, q comfortable chair. q smoking
jacket and all the accessories Of comfort,
were carried out according to my idea,
not his. I had never been able to toler-
ate smoke and ashes on the floor annoyed
me. Although / begged him not to, oc-
casionally John would smoke. At frst
he laughed at me when i would follow
him around with the dustpan and
whisk broom: then It began to annoy him.
During the first days of our marriage
he would come home for dinner, enthu-
siastically bringing some Of his friends.
was always angry: II disturbed the
plans OF our well-regulated household.
Now, as l look back upon those days,
know that I Inundated him by my
coldness to his guests. for often after din
ner tney would ma some excuse to hurry
back to the cheerful club where they
could lounge about in comfort, enjoy
their highballs, or play cards until or
in the morning.
In our neighborhood there lived a
very happy little couple, both vaudeville
artists, and their home was a profess
sional rendezvous. John and I were In
vited there to spend many evenings. II
was always he who accepted the invita-
tions enthusiastically. which piqued ana
rather hurt me. Although Jane and I
were very dear friends, did not approve
Of her methods of housekeeping Her
home distressed me. II was always q
hodge-podge OF comfortable chairs, ash
soiled carpets, and smoked ceilings. There
were invariably half a dozen newspapers
strewn around the floor and the dining
room was eternally upset by the guests.
However. they enjoyed the privilege of
helping themselves to the good things
stored in the refrigerator. those dainties
which Jane. a good cook. always pro-
vided for them.
Two years passed by and. to my great
surprise. realized that John and were
no longer contented with each other. A
dozeH times he had told me he wished
Ilore like Jane. The last time we
4uarreled I sought my friend.
why is 1t you are so happy in your
homer" asked her.
at Is because and she looked at me
sympathetically, I believe a mans home
should be his club-that he has as many
rights there as his wife-and that as he