The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-12
LIE I TIERS OF
TWO WOMEN
May Almost Laughs.
BY ZOE BlECKLEY.
Kerryville. Kan.

Kerryville, KAN Sunday
Do you know dear, that my first
impulse when 1 got your two letters
was to laugh? My second impulse
was not to, and L didn't. Because I
know it takes perspective on situa-
ton to get its true value--and see
whether it's funny or not. You are
too close to your problem to see all
sides of it, just as 1 get blind to mine.
What made me want to laugh. Kits.
was the spectacle of a woman who is -,
perfectly happy and doesn't know it.
l suppose disillusion such as 1 have
tasted enables a woman to love the
flavor of peace and understanding.
With you. it may be like olives, an ac-
quired taste. In plain English, Kit
aren't you looking for a scrap? For
something to fuss about?
Here you have a husband who does
not rave or beat you up when he finds
YOU meeting an old lover; is even sym-
pathetic over the loneliness and weak
ness of said ex-lover. and asks you
straightforwarcly to send him away
as a lover, or to offer him hospitality
as a friend! Yet you, my precious
child, are in the dumps because your
husband understands and is sensibIeI
But, dear, 1 see what you mean.
Your American ideals are a little out
ragged at what seems like PauFs indeI-
icate liberation of some one who was
once dear to you. For, mark YOU.
Kate, l take stock in your half
iiihtS lHdl tnere might ne real danger
in the situation. / know better You
are far too healthy minded. too we'll
mated to allow this affair to be anv
thing more than a slight pull upon
your sympathies, your pity and-your
memories.
We American women have bean
brought up to believe that the in
slant girl and a man are married
to each other all thought of any other
person OF opposite sex must be elm
hn
hypocritical to admit the impossibtIitv
of such thing. So we pretend
Foreigners are different Paul
Danskol, your husband. has more The
40 not regard marriage as the irnpos-
slbIe prison we Americans do They
take Tor granted friendships between
men and women. They are wise
Lhey know that few words mum
pied over Two persons cannot rnapi
cally wipe out human thought HI
man feeling, friendships, Interests
Nor would it be well if they did,
m not saying that extreme con+i-
mental looseness of ideals is xvisa ~.
wholesome. But 1 do saw America ~.
can 80 long way farther in the Iii
recton of moral common sense v,;tL
out losing anyth4ns.
DON'T interpret this as meaning
think you should pick up the threads
of your old association WITH ~
MercfuI heavens. NO. You kno,y
what | always thought of c. J.-nevar
could see why you cared for him.
nat DO mean is this: ii is the
height Of idiocy to let him prev ,,r e
your sympathies this way, unfittinp
you for work, for peace, for love. II
Is beastiy unfair, Katie. to everybody,
To you and TO Pail and to c. j him
self. Yes, decide dly to him.
Don't you see how unmanly II is az
MIN to come proving back into vonr
e TINS way How weak? How dog
sake, Kate, shake yourself together,
For strong woman. you are an avrf,,i
l, darling. suppose all strong
women are fools in some way-usuaIiS,
about some man. 1t IS natures rneth'
Cd OF eoual zation. Well. take vo,,r
husbands advice, Kit It's sound
If you had REAL troubles des-
you wouldn't be imagining any TsI.a
me, Tor instance. We are to have
a--other baby in our housei
MAIZE.