The silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1909-1925, 1917-03-17
MAMMY'S ADVICE
BY OLIVE ROBERTS BARTON.

have been accustomed to II Dut she
wasn't. She put down her coffee cup
several times to say something, but as
often picked 1t up again in silence.
Finally, however, she could endure IL
no longer. Aren't the cakes good,
dear?' she asked.
They're all right"
Has your coffee got coldT"
no" The morning paper rustled
impatiently.
whats the matter then, Tom
dear2' 1t came out finally as IL al
ways did.
"Matterf What could be the mat
ter?'
81 don't know, but you're so quiet"
81 can't read and chatter like some
women can. It's time for me to go
low. Good-by." He pushed back his
chair, glanced hurriedly at his watch,
pecked at the top of her ear and q
moment later slammed the front door.
Harriet watched him from the par
lor window, her heart contracting
cruelty, her throat aching with pent-up
emotion. Tom, her dear
Tom, who had been such a wonderful
ly ardent wooer, had ceased to care for
her. What was wrong? She was as
good a wife as she knew how to be.
The coy little home glowed with
cleanliness and good taste, and a real
ly good cook presided in the kitchen.
She liked cards, but as Tom hated
them she had given them up. She
liked to go out and see people but he
cared only for books or his club.
She went to the kitchen.
Jennie" she asked languidly,
what do we need?'
Jennie, arms akimbo, eyed her mis-
tress. II don't know what we need,
but l know what you need, Mis- Elem
ing. You're all peeked and white and
skinny lookin', and 1t amt right. I'm
going to make you some of my lamb
stew l was tellin' you about. It's GER
tainly nourishin'."
Harriet shook her head. mo, we
can't have lamb. Mr.. Fleming hates
it."
Jennie cooked her head on n side.
Hates It'll Well, let him hate til
Lemme tell you something. If | had
that man o. yours I'd"
"Hush, Jennie" But she couldn't
stop the torrent.
I'D show him / was boss here.
Do you know what I'd do? I'd starve
i'm and bang i'm around. and spend
all the money he gave me on pretty
dresses and let him get so doggone
miserable an lonely an sick o. Twin
he'd come an eat out o. my hand with
thankfulness an cry fob joy when |
spoke kind to him. l know his kind,
Mis- Fleming, an I know what's good
fob them"
''That will do, Jennie. Get your
dishes washed I" And Harriet walked
out of the kitchen with dignity.
But the seed was sown and 1t fell
on fertile ground. 1t grew and it bios
somed as Harriett's tears watered 1T,
"Tn do 1t 7" she cried, going to her
desk and getting out her check book
She ran her y over the balanc OF
her house money-just enough for the
month. She was thinking Of the day
before when Gladys Witherspoon had
called her up. II haven't seen you fol
ages, Harriet" she had chided. Cant
you and Tom come tomorrow evening
to dinner? I'm having the Maxwells
and the Lightfoots; and guess who's
here-Dick's cousin, Harry Semple
your old sweetheart. What's that
Tom doesn't like dinner parties? oh
/ know that he's an old stick. but CAM
you come, anyway"
Harriet had refused. but now she
went to the phone.
"Gladys. have you asked an extrs
girl yet for tonight?"
Eyes, but she can't come"
"Then I'll be there. No, not Tom
lust me-"
Harriet spent most of the day IL
shops. When her money ran out sh'
charged things. 1t was a perfect org!
of shopping.
AT 80 Tom came home to an empt,
house.
Jennie gave him the note: "Deal
Tom. I've gone to have dinner will
Gladys. Don't sit up. I'll be out late
Harriet"
He was angry, plain, unadulterate'
furious. He drank some coffee, lief
the house, went to the club and playe'
poker.
They met at midnight as Harriett'
taxicab drew up to the curb and Har
vey Semple opened the door TO he'll
her out.
Inside the house her husband flashes
on the light and looked at her. "Wher
did you get the coat?" he aske'
coldly.
Il bought IT," she replied, slipping
from her shoulders.
Dress new, too?"
yes. Do you like 1T ! bought
lot of new things today"
"You did? Why?"
"Oh, | just tool a notion. | mad
up my mind that II you didn't care 70