The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-11-19
ETETRS OF
TWO WOMEN
Maize to Kate.
BY ZOE BECKLEY.

Kerryville, Kan, the 5th.
Kate Dearest:
Aren't you a regular pig to break
off that way and not tell me your
news! You know l was only fooling
when l told you not to write about
yourself, but only about me, because
L feel so important these days Don't
tell me that you-or are you-can 1t
be? Oh, I'd be SO glad to hear it,
kid. For then you'd have to take a
rest from the officei You know, I
can't see how you find such pleasure
in that stupid office, Kate. But you
are different. You're queer. l should
think you'd be glad to have Paul
take care of you. It's such an idea
being married and yet being a work.
ing girl, too! Well, chaque un a son
govt!
The pillow slips and pap spoon ar
rived safely, dears, and brought such
delight as you can hardly imagine
How we'll you know my taste, Kits!
Those darling roSebudS embroidered
so daintily on that cobweb linen!
Curtis and his mother are distracted
with pleasure over PauPs pap
spoon (do you really mean to say
you don't know what a pap spoon is,
silly). 1t is a beauty. l have half
tiny suspicion that the costliness of
the thing has a special appeal to Curt
and the in-laws. They do so love
property" Well, you are a dear old
darling to send the things, Kits, and
have an actual mist in my eye as l
write my thanks.
The days of waiting are horribly
alike. 1 do my housework and sit
and sew, thinking of all sorts of
things-of myself only few months
back grubbing in the office; of my
happiness and disappointments since
my marriage; of Curtis bad and good
qualities; of my baby to whom / look
Forward with a perfect passion of
love and-loy, and of the queer, criss-
cross currents of life in general
Afterlunch l dress (now you'd
laugh to see my simple outfits-ex-
travagant me. who haven't spent five
dollars month on myself since
came to KerryvilleD and usually take
walk downtown afterward to buy 5
cents worth of lace at 2h cents a
| yard, incidentally giving the various
clerks and town loafers a chance tc
! speculate on how long it will be before
! there's baby in our house.
Oh Kate, you've no idea how every
| body's affairs in these small towns
are well recognized public property,
+ There's so little to talk about. The
smallest incidents assume the dignity
! of vast discussable events.
! Usually 1 meet the young minister,
! who seems to think / have been spe-
cially cast upon his shore to save. He
! looks grieved when he learns I'm not
coming to praper meeting. and while
! he is pathetically urging me to attend
services Sunday, I'm trying to decide
{ whether his eyes are blue or brown,
and specializing on the work his wife
has to do to keep him looking so clean
I and nice.
You know, Kitlets, / never could
: get religion really under my skin. 1t
| is just like arithmetic with me: IT
simply won't penetrate my hide But
he goess right on talking And / go
on thinking Whic.. patferu of Lace
shall use on my next baby dress And
when ne gets thru / am just as good
as ! WIS before, and perhaps a wee
bit oettcr. l go to church sometimes
/ to please Curt and his family and am
1 improved in my conscience afterward
! Hurry and write me your news
Devotedly,
MAIZE