The Washington herald., 1917-03-12
"Julia. wouldn't smoke that

Julia. I wouldn't smoke that"
Helen glanced at Mr.. Falkner. aston
ished at the sudden sternness of his
voice Expecting his wife to disregard
his request. she was surprised to see he'
pause. the lighted match in her hand.
why not?" but her defiance held a
note of trepidation.
We'll not discuss 1t here
That was all. Mrs. Falkncr b'cw out
| the match and dropped 1t into the ash
! tray. 1t was a swift and unlooked-for
surrender.
II Mr.. Falkner could control his wife
with one quiet word why had he not
| stemmed her steady stream OF fretfu
criticism? Why did he tolerate her In
cessant complaints?
Still playing with the unlighted Gig
arctic she shot flushed. resentful glanceS
at her husband, who, seemingly uncon'
scious, had resumed with Warren the
discussion of the automobile tax.
Striving to divert her. Helen told about
little French milliner. in an upstairs
| shop, who made exquisite hats at absurd
prices. But even this alluring informa.
ton failed to interest Mrs. Falkner Just
| then.
She hardly made a pretense at listen.
ing She was now tapping the cigarette
on her chair arm. as If trying to summon
courage to defy her husband.
Perhaps he sensed the smoldering re-
bellion. for soon he made a movement to-
wards departure.
Henry just loves to humiliate me-" IN
Helen's room she jabbed a vicious pin
through her hat "The very idea Of his
torbiddlng me TO smoke! Why. everybody
Smokes nowadays"
Though Helen had never touched 4
cigarette. she murmured conciliatinG
Yes, ! suppose a great many do"
1T isn't because he cares whether
smoke or not. it's because he wants z
, show his authority" she stormed. "Oh
you don't know him." as Helen venture,l
protest. He takes a f1endish delight in
humiliating me-
Are you ready. julia" inquired Mr.
Falkner from the doorway. where ne
must have heard his wife's last remark
Quite ready" making the two word
convey much of her venom"
Z" eve enjoyed your hospitality. Mrs
Curtis" rendered Mr.. Falkner with quiet
courtesy as they left, "and we hope tC
! have you dine with us soon"
You'll have to make it very soon
laughed Mrs. Falkner with shrilI empha-
sis. unless you want a bachelors din.
Eer.'
But this startling remark. coming al
the last moment. passed unnotced In the
general adieus.
What did she mean by that" whis.
pered Helen as the door closed. shes
not going to leave him.
Don't worry over that bluff," scoffed
Warren. She'll stick by her meal tick.
ct. If l were Falkner I'd give her just
time enough to pack her duds"
"Oh, know. dear, the way she kept
criticisng hint was terribly bad form
Yet she's really afraid of him. You
noticed how she dropped that cigarette?'
He squelched her there. all right, "
grimly.
But why didn't he before? She hard
ly made remark that wasn't a thrust
at him. Why does he allow IT,"
"Falkner's too decent. He ought Ia
come down on that eternal naGging like
d sledge hammer-make 1t blame sight
more comfortable for everybody"
II never knew how 1t looked" reflect.
ed Helen. "Oh. dear. let's never criti.
cize each other in public. never do
not in the least little way-do -"
You bet you don'tl II you did there
wouldn't be much left OF this mop" with
! a playful tug at her soft hair but
don't throw bouquets that you're not like
that female. She's the limit! Darn lucky
for her that wife beating's gone out OF
style"
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