The Washington herald., 1917-03-12

"Oh. 1 never come first" Mrs. Falknel
shrugged her bare shoulders. He puts
his business before everything, then his
food, his books-and last of all his wife ;
But none of those are very seriou.
rivals" laughed Helen, with a sympa.
thetic glance at Mr.. Falkner, a quiet
scholarly man, who bore patiently his
wifes constant thrusts.
They're not? Well, you'd think SO II
your husband buried himself in some ole
book every evening and barely spoke tc
you-and at dinner all he talks about 1!
the office"
That's a small piece" urged Warren
pressing on Mr. Falkner's plate another
slice Of lamb. Il don't believe in this
vegetarian cult-nothing like squaring of
at a good roast occasionally"
oh. Henry eats enough meat" dis.
paraged his wife. He has his four slices
of bacon at breakfast and insists on a
roast or steak every night. Goodnes.
knows what he has Tor lunch.'
What was that play last winter?
murmured Helen, hoping to relieve Mr.
Falkner from his wife's continuous asper'
sions. "All the family were vegetarians
except the father-oh, yes. The Faddist.
Did you see it?"
1T never see anything" complained Mrs
Falkner with her irritating shrug. 81
can't drag Henry to the theater. He:
getting worse every day-he won't &c
anywhere"
why, Julia, we were at the opera last
week." he protestedy mildly, "and the
week before we"
"Oh, yes, after I'd been at you for a
month. You'd never take me anywhere
IL it were left to you"
With a vague uneasiness Helen watch
ed warren's deepening frown. Knowing
his intolerance of any woman who pub
licly criticized her husband. she feared
some caustic comment.
Mrs. Faulkner. young. vain and frivol'
Gus, had an expression OF fretful dis
content that was fast marring her pref
tiness. Her conversation consisted o.
Querulous complaints, mostly directed Al
her husband.
"Oh, Henry, you're so awkward
frowning at the spot of mint sauce he
had inadvertently dropped on the cloth
IT'S the fault Of that sauce boat: it's
too narrow" interrupted Helen, to allie
viate Mr.. Falkner's embarrassment.
well. at home I have to keep a dolly
under his plate or we'd have a table
cloth in the wash every meal"
Even Helen felt hot resentment
against the fragrant bad taste OF this
continuous criticism. But Mr., Falknel
bore it with unperturbed good humor. II
was like the yelping of a terrier at a
tolerant Great Dane.
Dinner over, Helen took Mrs. Falkner
into her room, leaving the men at peace
with their cigars
"Oh. I look a sight tonight" sighed
Mrs. Falkner. fluffing her hair before the
mirror Il don't get enough sleep-that's
what's the matter. Henry's got a VII
lainous habit Of getting up at half Isl
six, and can't sleep with him humping
around"
What time do You have breakfast
asked Helen.
HE has his at half-past seven. I just
have tea and toast in bed. never could
get up for breakfast
I'VE breakfast at eight. and don't
think I've missed having it with Warren
but two mornings since we're married.
then 7 was ill.," unConsciously reproving
Mrs. Falkner's selfish Incidence.
well I think every woman needs
plenty Of sleep. I always sleep soundest
between seven and nine in the morning
If miss those two hours, I feel dragged
out all day. Nothing ages you so as
lack of Sleep
Helen glanced uneasily in the mirror
She did look tired, but Mrs. Falkner's
prescription was too selfish-she could
never let Warren breakfast alone.
What perfume do you use?" taking ur
bottle from Helen's dressing table. "Oh
yes, I've had this, but am using the
new Russian extract now-that impossible
name. It's horribly expensive-H an
ounce, but it's perfectly wonderful You
ought to try it,"
"I could never afford that This is SEX
and 1 think it's an extravaganza"
"Oh, have what you want! You might
as we'll as have your husband spend II
on cigars. Henry makes a scene every
month about the bills, but I'm used to
that I notice he always has what he
wants-why shouldn't I?''
perhaps you're right" evaded Helen
pushing away Pussy Purr-mew. who was
shifting at Mrs. Falkners sable muff.
ITS a mistake. my dear, to be too eco
nomical Look at Mrs. Lewis. She goes
positively shabby, while her husband
squanders all his money on that awful
manicurist. You spend it for him, and
he won't spend 1t on other women. That's
my philosophy and it's pretty sound
When Henry complains, tell him If he
didn't expect to support me he shouldn't
others who wanted the job"
Suddenly from the apartment above
came the brisk lilt of a pianola. Mrs.
Falkner, holding out her tulle-draped
skirt, whirled about the room.
That's the London Tap-rm wild about
tr'
She was undeniably pretty. For a mo-
nent she twirled before the mirror, frank
ly admiring, then circled into the library.
"Oh, Mr.. Curtis, can you dance the
London Tap?'
"I can not" with conviction.
''well," sinking into a chair as the
music ceased, "1f somebody'l offer me a
cigarette I'll try to survive my disap-
pointment."
II beg your pardon, I didn't know you
smoked" Warren's punctilious polite.
ness. as. he rose to pass her the box
Satrlx ahoutad his disapproxal -.-