Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1917-10-11
Margaret CARROTS
Husband
THE BEST NATURED OF MEN
By JANE PHELPS
K 4 X x X 4 4 X 4 X X X X i
CHAPTER XVIII.

Mother looked unconvinced and WEI
en-:
"Robert is one of the best nature
men | ever knew. But he is very temper
amental and will not be compelled to d
anything, because you put it in the wa
you do. Margaret. Then too, L do nc
think it wise for you to ask him t
give up his men friends. That Mr.. Ken
dali is a charming fellow, SO are al
Bob friends whom | have met. Men 0
good character and bright entertaining
companions. 1t would seem to me fla
better, dear, if you were to encourag
the friendship; invite them here; lie
Robert feel you liked his friends and en-
joyed entertaining them! and p
81 do not agree with you at all
When we care for a person there is N
room in u hearts for others; no tint
to devote to them. Bob will soon thinl
as l do-youM see," and then because
L didn't want to quarrel with mother
and yet wanted her to understand thai
L should manage Bob my own way
said: 81 am old enough to manage my
own affairs, mother. Please do not make
me say so again.
every well, daughter; III never men
tion the subject again. | did not intend
to interfere. l only want to see you
and Robert happy"
oven be happy, never fear L re-
piled then turned the conversation.
Mother was a dear, but she was get
ting old, and was a bit old-fashioned in
her ideas-I thought. / now know that
[ was the one who held queer old-fash-
toned notions; rather perhaps old-mald-
ish' mes would be the better word.
Once again mother asked me to ac-
company her; then went out alone. L
knew that the hours could be so
long as they were that bright, lovely
Saturday. L tried to sew, then to arrange
bureau drawers and closets, but could
Keep my mind on nothing, Finally l
went into the dining room where Della
vas working and proposed that we clean
he cut glass and silver. Della would
a little l knew, and maybe the
ime would not drag so heavily.
All the afternoon we secured and pol
shed, until by six O'Clock | was too
ired to even think. Della had tried to
make me leave her 70 finish, although
he had been none too pleased at the
work l had planned for her.
"You a have all day tomorrow, -
told her when she grumbled a bit. Bob
would be home early L was positive, and
he really deserved the day.
After an early dinner | put on a XII
mona, but really was too tired to en-
ov my reading. l yawned every two or
hree minutes, and finally in disgust l
vent to bed just as the clock struck
inc. l hesitated about calling Bob up
o bid him goodnight, then concluded
ot to; a little ache in my heart that
e had not thought of calling me.
I remained in bed the next morning
ntil nine O'Clock. As L was having my
office, mother called ms up ard asked
|, | were going to church as usual.
"No, L shan't go today" l replied.
She said nothing further, but asked
le to come over to dinner.
''No, IN remain at home. [ m not
ire what time Bob will ONE
Gle doesn't intend to come until
does he?N she asked.
"No-but I shall wait for him.
oI'm sorry you won't come over,
lther too will be disappointed, she
nswered. [ realize after years have
lssed that my selfishness was colossal.
hen I didn' It call it selfishness; l call
| it "duty.'
After 1 hung up the receiver a lump
,me into my throat. / was afraid L
as going to cry. Cry for self-plty for
condition I had chosen, pity because
alone. of all the people I knew and
red for, was to spend a lonely Sunday, |
Elsie / knew wouldn' . be lonely;
other and father would be together;
Id Bob was having a good time with
$ friends around him.
| forced back the tears, and took the
.pers into the library and sat down to
nd. After a while [ ceased to feel
v loneliness. l had found a story which
interested me. 1t was the story of a
who had married a man with many
v friends, and whose home was brok
up; her life ruined by the husband s
ndness for those friends, and the con-
ouent neglect of his wife.
/ parallelled the cases. Why Bob was
It to do the same things unless l
t a stop to it at oncel N V paused
reason that the man in the story was
selfish sort of a creature who cared
r nothing a his own pleasure; and
Mt the wife was a young foolish child.
,nlv thought of the fact that the hus- t
nd gave his time, his thoughts, to G
men friends, the friends of his bach
II days. Had 1 needed anything to |
enothen me in my purpose, my de- I
.mination to make Bob feel that /
lid have nc happiness, no enjoyment
thout him; it was a line in the story
ere when the wife complains that
leaves her, he says:
you were out tool you haven't any
k coming that l can see!' G
Bob V would be able to say any V
no like that to me. l never should s.
e him the chance. My happiness de- p
,ded solely upon him. He should be Fl
de to realize that it was so. p
(Tomorrow-Exaeting a Promise) G.
al C4uAapfS of