The Ordway new era., 1917-09-21

electric lighter. "There's other things
that get on mans nerves.
There, you seer turning despair
ingly to Helen. "Those are some of
the nice, pleasing remarks he makes to
me-"
Mrs. Curtis, do you prescribe for
may smoker"
"Not much she doesn't'' laughed
Warren.
"Then you think wife shouldn't be
interested in her husbands health?"
challenged Mrs. Barton.
Here's a member of our family you
haven't seen," exclaimed Helen gayly,
heralding Pussy Purr-Mew's entrance
as welcome interruption.
"Oh, a shaded silver!" enthused Mrs.
Barton, as Pussy Purr-Mew having i'm
partially surveyed the group, stretch
ed her graceful length on Persian
rug inviting admiration.
"Yes, that's some cat" admitted Mr..
Barton. eve had dog last fall, but
Marion wouldn't stand for it."
"That vicious little beast! I should
hope not! 1t snapped at Bobbie every
time he came"
"No wonder, the way that brat yank-
ed 1t around"
"William, it's hardly courteous to
call my sisters child brat. I only
wish your brothers children were half
as well behaved"
swell, they don't sail boats in the
bathtub and let 1t run over and spoil
all the ceilings. That cunning little
prank cost me just $685."
ut wasn't any worse than your angel
nephew emptying box Of talcum In
the piano."
Here the maid brought in the coffee
and Helen rose to clear space on the
library table for the tray.
"And how do you take yours, Mr..
Barton" having served his wife.
"Now you know, William, If you
drink coffee you'll be awake all night"
zone lump, Mrs. Curtis, and no
cream" disregardingly.
"Barton, how did you ever come out
with that L. & A. stock?" asked War
rem abruptly. "Had quite block Of
that, didn't your
"Sold it last spring-lucky to get
out even. Dropped ten points since
then. I'm carrying some Northwest
ern preferred, but I'm thinking of let
ting that 60"
The men safely launched on the en-
crossing subject of stocks, Helen en-
tsrtained Mrs. Barton by telling her Of
little waist and lingerie shop that
was selling out.
Every woman is interested in lin
gerie, and when Helen produced her
dainty purchase, Mrs. Barton, in ex-
claiming over their cheapness, forgot
to direct snappish remarks at her hus-
band.
It was almost eleven when the phone
rang and their car was announced.
II hope you can dine with us very
soon," invited Mrs. Barton, as they
were leaving. 'Tm afraid my cook is
contemplating matrimony," with a
laugh, 'and I'd like to have you before
she leaves" ~
Eyes, you'd better take your chances
with the one we've got now," advised
Mr.. Barton. "Heaven knows how the
next one'll bel"
possible inefficiencies Of the new cook
when they entered the elevator.
"Congenial couple!" shrugged War
ren as he closed the door.
"Oh, how could they? What awful
ly bad taste! Even If they quarrel
at home, you'd think they'd try to be
courteous to each other in company"
"Yes, we'll throw our beer bottles
when we're alone. I'd just as soon
| mt bovo an auffencen
"Do you think it's mostly her fault?"
Helen mused, with feminine analysis,
as she followed him into the bedroom.
! "We1l, he's pretty much Of fool !"
peeling of his coat. IF she were my
wife, I'd have knocked out a few OF
her front teeth long ago."
"But, dear, he's partly to blame"
reflectively.
i "Of course he Is! You've got to
handle that woman without gloves. II
he'd laid down the law good and hard,
instead Of eternally pickering, they'd
both be darned sight happier"
4, T wonder If they'll be like that
when we dine there"
"Well not dine there" emphatically.
his chin upheld as he unbuttoned his
collar. "One dose Of that's enough
for me-"
"Dear, I'd like to CO." admitted Hell
en-. ..In way it's relief to see that
other people get along even worse
than"
"Eh7 What's that" AZ she paused
confused. ''See here. when It comes
to showdown, Mrs. Barton hasn't
i rot such = devil Of a lot on you. You'd
have been 1 close second II I hadn't al
ways held you with 1 good gti3 ysan y