Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-11-18

T CANNOT do this for Dicly. cannot
L meet those people and pretend cordiality
for them, when all the time I disapprove
of them 40 strongly. I cannot. l cannot
Face downward upon the bed in my room,
where I had thrown myself when fled from
Dcky's revelation of Elizabeth Marsden's
domestic problem, l repeated these words
over and ovor to myself like the patter
of prayer.
Theoretically | have always believed in
larger freedom, greater opportunities for
women My mother was suffragst in
the days when tho fight for suffrage meant
something. But of the other issues which
women have been facing IN these strange
latter days | had no conception.
When was four years old, however. an
other woman. my mothers most intimate
friend, had run away with my father.
have never seen my father since, | do not
know nor do | care, whether he he still
living or dead. But TO me the very name
Of a woman who could claim as her lover
the father OF another womGn's child has
always been anathema.
Yet here one OF my husbands friends
who was to be my own guest. was such n
woman: thought OF Lillian Gale, with
her Sensational divorce record, and her
constant assumption OF being Dicky's best
friend. And these two women DicSy evil
IDENTIFY meant to be my associates In my
new life II was unbearabe! told my
self as / lay fighting out my battle.
A GENEROUS OFFER
But unbearable or not, did not see any
way out, They were to be my guests in a
few hours. The laws of hospitality forbade
my being anything but cordial TO them in
my own home.
l made a sudden. swift compromise with
my own soul. and hurried out before my
courage should leave me TO lay II before
DicNy.
found him still assiduously shellIng the
n alnnn1q mi \
laid my hand on his shoulder. and at the
touch he drew me down to the arm Of his
chair.
"Dicky." I suppose my voice trembled.
for the grasp of his arm frightened around
me as II to give me courage. "I am going
To be very frank with you. I cannot pre-
tend TO you that l am pleased with the
thought OF having Mrs. Underwood and Miss
Marsden especially Miss Marsden. as
guests But 1 can promise you that when
am with you, either at our home or wher-
ever your crowd meets. ] will treat them
with all courtesy They shall never know
my feeling. on the other hand, please do
not ask me 70 make intimates OF them, TO
have them meet my friends or do the thou
sand and one little chubby things that wo-
men friends usually do"
Dicky threw back his head and laughed
uproariously To me IL was no laughing
matter that we were discussing. l tried to
get away from the encirclng grasp OF
Dickys arm, but 1t was too strong for me-
Don't be angry at me for Laughing, sweet
heart" he said, but the idea Of Lii or
Bess wanting TO meet your friends. or 10 do
any or the ordinary social stunts women
do, Is the funniest thing l have struck yet
Lii and Bess l can see em at some femi-
nine function. Yes. the maid left yesterday
Isn't Il awful tho trouble IL is to get SER
wants nowadays2 No. the baby Is named
after his aunt on the fathers side. Is Il
true they are going 10 wear hoops again?
WowF' and Dleky doubled over IN enjoy
ment Of his own limitations.
II had not been so angry would have
laughed also for Dieky had a trick at
mimicry, but l was bitterly offended.
myself free and stood up.
win you kindly tell me why you should
expect me 70 show any courtesy TO your
friends when you sneer at mine Ia such
brutal fashion,"
What do you meant" Dicxy sprang 70
bis feet IN amusement Then a flush spread
over his face. "ohl l say. AIadge. / didn't
mean that as any reflection on your
friends"
"You said you had to laugh at the idea
p those women wanting % meet my
Irlenda"
Dicky grinned again eaadge. II you
Gould hear the venom drip from tie worda