Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-05-21

place. And she never had liked the lit
the addition of the den. 1t was a de-
Gently commodious apartment. She went
downtown and ordered a couch ana
three chairs in Spanish leather ana
conjunction. she ordered chairs and
couch of the same for the alcove.
But Emmett that night asked her not
to leave them there. They took so
much room that none was left Tor MS
desk and book rack. Rather sulkily LII
sent them back and got credit from tho
furniture store. And she felt that En-
NETT was an ungrateful husband.
But no Ill feeling fingered. Emmett
had a whack at a big case and in the
Importance of that he forgot every
thing else. Lii liked to see him SO alb
sorbed. His eyes snapped. He had
trick of f1inging his black hair back
from his forehead that made him seem
a handsome, Jealous boy. She was al
ways moved to slip up behind him and
twist it into curls, which he loathed.
Then, about three months later, LII
gave a dancing party. 1t was really
out word to Emmett she moved
everything from the alcove to closet
off the wide front hall. Kate Hammers,
who had run over to help arrange the
house for the evening. laughed. Some
husbands wouldn't stand for that" Lii
flushed little. Il am sure Emmett
won't mind she said. but she said it
uneasily and she was careful to put all
the loose papers in a drawer.
wouldn't matter much if he did
care, would it?" Knocked Kate. Lis
brown eyebrows drew together in some
displeasure of expression. She felt that
she ought to explain. You see, before
married Emmett l was in the habit OF
wanted to, and somehow" refiectively.
I've never got out of the habit. IT
never seems like Emmett's house. 1t
always seems like mine alone
Something very sharp and peculiar
seemed to melt into Hates listening
smile Lii jumped around and-saw
Emmett. He had come home early for
some papers he had forgotten that
morning.
Lii cried anxiously, You understand,
don't you, Emmett"
There was pause OF just haif
second. Then Emmett said carelessly,
Sure. Lii. What did you do with that
brown memo book?'
Lii helped him find it. 1t had dropped
on the floor of the closet. 1t irritated
LII that the plagued thing had chosen
to fall under a carpet sweeper. kept
there for the maids convenience, and
was soiled. And some Of this 'irrita-
tion-which was really at herself-was
oppressed ft!p ~hen she sa''' nefe' take
Emmett took it. put it in his pocket
and good-naturedly enough helped
Kate arrange smilax over the old
fashioned fireplace. Lii. after few
minutes. decided that he had not been
offended, though, as she irritably re-
fiected, there was nothing as a matter
of fact for him to be offended over!
After all. it was her house, and. any
way, a man didn't mind being incon-
venienced.
The party was a great success and
the morning after it Lii was called
away for a few days visit with her
cousin Esther. who was sailing for
Europe. to be gone several years She
returned rather regretfully in time to
help at a church bazaar. She had left
the work of rearranging the house to
a maid. 1t was a distinct shock, a
week later. to discover that none of
Emmett's things had been returned to
she had had no orders. You have
them now" LII replied sharply, and
watched her arrange bookrack. read
ing lamp and table scarf.
asked the maid when she had finished
ooh. the books" exclaimed Lii
"Why-why. Mr.. Lawson must have
put them away" The maid presently
left the room. There was a peculiar
look in her demure black eyes. Lii
ly she looked through the house for
those books and papers, but she could
not find them. He had taken them
away. LII sat very stiff on chair.
She remembered that not long back
she had asked Emmetts advice about
putting in new plumbing and he had
answered absently. why ask me? Do
as you please" She remembered that
then she had worded it my house"
Not our house" She remembered
Hates ugly laugh. She remembered
that once Emmett had left the room
when she began to figure the cost Of a
new veranda and steps on the east side,
where the lake sloped away.
He came in leisure1y and threw off his
gloves. i've been busy" he said. pres
emily. when she said that she had tried
to get him on the phone. Fact is.
haven't been at the office this after
noon. Been out to that house of mine"
LIS cheeks burned Her eyes wild
ened. She hoped and she feared-he
was going to suggest that they move
into that little dinky. dirty place. She
had read in stories of husbands who
suggested such cratic proofs of love
And then. with a little hard, indrawn
breath. she knew that she'd do it If
Emmett insisted. Because if she
I've sold it." said Emmett, pleasur-
ably. Got a fair price. too. And say,
Let's put the money into improving
this place. You can add that porch
and above 1t I'd like a sort of combined
den and screened sleeping place"
oh" Lii could not keep back the
little relieved hysterical cry. And
T TE1 I'M