Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-03-06
lDIANAof the GREAT GAME
pY or A Wok1Ah5 HUNT FOR NAN
By ETHEL LLOYD PATTERSON

/ shall never forget the expression on
his face when he came to see me in the
evening, after his first day spent al
job-hunting. He looked very weary and
q little puzzled.
What luck. sweetheart" ] asked, and
] raised my mouth for his kiss.
We'll, Dr. said Howard slowly, 81
didn't see anything at all today.
mean" he went on, in an effort to be
very honest, Il didn't see any place
where they would have me. l looked
up some of the boys who were in col
lege with me and some of dads friends
and, by jove, do you know they said
have 10 start in at ten or fifteen dollars
a week. Holy smoke! That wouldn'
buy our eats would it? l don't care
though. I'm not going to let it discour-
age me. You'll see, I'll land something
good in a couple OF days"
But it proved that my dear ones OPP
timism was not quite warranted. For
weeks he visited all the people he knew,
and tramped in and out of office build
ings. Lines that were not quite boyish
began to be carved around his mouth and
eyes. 1t took all my courage and cheer
fulness to keep him from being discour-
aged.
Don't you care, sweetheart" l would
tell him, with my arms about him,
''maXNs it would be better if you tried
TO rot lower salary. Everybody has to
begin in a small way. You're so clever
no matter where you start you'll go
right to the top!'
you are a brick. Di." Howard would
answer. 81 don't know what / would
do without you!'
And then one night my boy came TO
me half shamed-faced and half triumph
ant.
We'll, sweetheart" he said, Il guess
I've a kind of job. l was lin Petries
this afternoon; that big book store on
the avenue. and they told me they want
ed somebody in their rare book depart
ment, and to buy for them later But
they said I have to learn the ropes first.
They've offered me a job sellinS books
and helping to catalogue at twenty-five
dollars a week. 1 said l would let them
know in the morning. Gee, l was asham-
ed to take il after all the big talk I've
given YOU. l won't take it either unless
you think we can marry and live on 1t.
If 1 am going to work for you / am go
ing to have your
7 thought for & moment before I an
swered. 1 realized that If / commit
ted myself now. l would be less than
a woman if l didn't go through with all
that my decision might cost me in The
future. weighed il we'll. When
answered 1 meant what 1 said.
go ahead and take the job, Howard
I told him. I'll marry you now, or
whenever you wish. l do think it would
be wise though if I were to continue
i'm my position. What l earn keeps me,
and what you will earn will keep you,
and something over. If we live that
way IL won't cost us any more to be
married than ii does to stay as we are.
I want YOU to know that I want to do
the right thing which is for your hap
piness."
But 1 don't want my wife to work, y
protested Howard. II want to take care
of her all myself"
Don't be silly, dear" ] said. What
would I do all day long while, you were
away, anyhow? Work keeps me out Of
mischief. And have grown so used to
having "a little money of my own that
Il would make me feel better to continue
TO have II, II you don't mind, Sparticu-
larly while we need it so much. Later
If you are able to earn more l will do
whatever you think is best.
There was silence in the room for a
. moment Then Towards glance held
mine firmly.
Dis he said. then we could get mar
ried this week, couldn't ws?"
"As YOU WISH" / answered steadily.