Middletown transcript., 1917-09-22


challenged Mrs. Barton.
Here's 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 a Persian
rug, inviting admiration.
Eyes, that's some cat" admitted Mr..
Barton. "We had a dog last fall, but
Marion wouldn't stand for it."
"That vicious little beast l should
hope not 1t snapped at Bobbie every
time he came"
"No wonder, the way that brat yank-
ed it around"
civilian, It's hardly courteous to
call my sisters child brat. l only
wish your brothers children were half
as well behaved"
"Well, they don't sail boats in the
bathtub and let it run over and spoil
all the ceilings. That cunning little
prank cost me just $50"
"It 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 a space on the
library table for the tray.
"And how do you take yours, Mr.
Baritone" 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 yOu?'
"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 CO."
The men safely launched on the en-
crossing subject of stocks, Helen en-
tertained Mrs. Barton by telling her OF
a 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.
1t was almost eleven when the phone
rang and their car was announced.
'I hope you can dine with us very
soon," invited Mrs. Barton, as they
were leaving. "I'm afraid my cook Is
contemplating matrimOny," with q
laugh, "and I'd like to have you before
she leaves"
"Yes, you'd better take your chances
with the one we've got nOw," advised
Mr.. Barton. "Heaven knows how the
next oGe'll be"
They were still dissenting over the
possible inefficiencies of the new cook
when they entered the elevator.
"Congenial couple!" shrugged War
rem as he closed the door.
"Oh, how could they? What awful
ly bad taste! Even if they quarre
at home, you'd think they'd try to bt
courteous to each other in company
eyes, We'll throw our beer bottle:
when we're alone. I'd just as soor
not have an audience"
"Do you think it's mostly her fault?
Helen mused, with feminine analysis
as she followed him into the bedroom
"Well, he's pretty much of fool !!
peeling off his coat. IF she We're m,
wife, I'd have knocked out few o
her front teeth long ago."
'But, dear, he's partly to blame,
refectively.
| "Of course he is! You've got t
handle that woman without gloves. l
he'd laid down the law good and hard
instead Of eternally pickering, they
, both be darned sight happier"
: 81 wonder if they'll be like tha
when we dine there"
"We'll not dine there" emphatically
his chin upheld as he unbuttoned nj
2 collar. "One dose of that's enoug
5 for me-"
$ "Dear, I'd like to 60" admitted He
en-. "In a way It's relief to see tina
e other people get along even wors
than"
t "Eh? What's that?" as she pause
e confused. "See here, when it come
to a show down, Mrs. Barton hasn
i got such devil of lot on you. You
d have been a close second If hadn't a
ways held you with good stiff rein
~ Artificial Limbs Not New.