Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1917-03-02
MAMMY'S ADVICE
BY OLIVE ROBERTS BARTON.

Tom was grumpy. Harriet should
have been accustomed to 1t but she
wasn't. She put down her coffee cup
several times to say something, but as
often picked it up again in silence.
Finally, however, she could endure it
no longer. "Aren't the cakes good,
dearT she asked.
They're all right"
HAS your coffee got cold?"
"No." The morning paper rustled
impatiently.
whats the matter then, Tom
dear" 1t came out finally as 1t al
ways did.
Matter? What could be the mat
terT
Il don't know, but you're so quiet"
II can't read and chatter like some
women can. It's time for me to go
now. Good-by." He pushed back his
chair, glanced hurriedly at his watch,
pecked at the top of her ear and a
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 husband,
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 cozy little home glowed with
cleanliness and good taste, and 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 akihb0, eyed her mis-
tress. 81 don't know what we need,
but know what you need, Mis- Elem:
ing. You're all peeked and white and
skinny lookin', and it amt right. I'm
going to make you some of my lamb
stew was tellin' you about. It's GER
tainly nour;shin'."
Harriet shook her head. mo, we
can't have lamb. Mr.. Fleming hates
it."
Jennie cooked her head on one side
'Hates it! Well, let him hate it!
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 I 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 20 doggone
miserable A, lonely an sick p Hyin'
he'd come an eat ont o. my hand with
thankfulness an cry fob joy when I
spoke kind to him. I know his kind.
Mis- Fleming. an I know what's good
fob them"
"That will do, Jennie. Get your
dishes washedr' 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.
'I'n do It'll" she cried, going to her
desk and getting out her check book.
She ran her eye over the balance of
her house mOney-just enough for the
month. She was thinking of the day
before when Gladys Witherspoon had
called her up. 81 haven't seen you for
ages, Harriet" she had chided. Can't
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 can't
you come, anyway"
Harriet had refused. but now she
went to the phone.
"Gladys, have you asked an extra
girl yet for tOnight?"
"Yes, but she can't come" =.
"Then I'll be there. No, not Tom.
Just me-"
Harriet spent most Of the day in
shops. When her money ran out she
charged things. 1t was a perfect orgy
Of shopping.
At $50 Tom came home to an empty
house.
Jennie gave him the note: "Dear
Tom. I've gone to have dinner with
Gladys. Don't sit up. I'll be out late.
Harriet"
He was angry, plain, unadulterated
furious. He drank some coffee, left
the house. went to the club and played
poker.
They met at midnight as Harriett's
taxicab drew up to the curb and Har-
vey Semple opened the door to help
her out.
Inside the house her husband flashed
on the light and looked at her. "Where
did you get the coat?" he asked
coldly.
Il bought it," she replied. slipping 1t
from her shoulders.
"Dress new, toO?"
"Yes. Do you like It? I bought a
lot of new things today"
"You did? Why?"
"Oh. just took a notion. I made
up my mind that If you didn't care for
society | wasn't going to bury myself.
So I got some clothes, and I'm going
to have a splendid time"
Impudence! Toms heart gave a
great pulsating throb. What a tam
talizing little woman she was! His
contrary masculine temper melted into
passion.
"You dear" he cried. suddenly gath
ering her into his arms. II adore