The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-11-09
LETTERS OF
TWO WOMEN
Kate oswaS, Business Girl, 10 Her
Friend Mrs. Curtis Bond.
By ZOE BECKLEY.
New York, Aug. the Umpth.

New York, Aug. the Umpth-
Maizie, dear girl, SO much do I'M
derstand and sympathize with you
that l am trying to think of some ex-
cuse for Curtis's brutishnesS. some
fault of yours. Some lack in you that
brought it out.
For L never knew a married woman
yet, May, who wasn't glad 60 make
excuses for her husbands horridness-
Honestly, 1 believe a wife would rath-
err be convinced against her reason
that the quarrel was of her creation
than admit even to herself that the
man she married is a disappointment.
flivver.
Il remember a young matron at
summer hotel who oEics tS.a me tear
fully of nasty row she had with
husband. .-
made the mistake of agreeing with
her that he husband was a wretch and
beast. She instantly flew to his
defense. The next time she confided
in me took a different tack.
I'm bet it was all your fault" said
I. Your husband is an awfuIly nice
man. Everybody likes him. He could
mt have meant to hurt your feelings
| Wasn't he-ah-piQued at something
you'd been doing? Jealous, or some
thing. Haven't you been flirting with
somebody? Or been being too indie
pendent and POPULAR Wasn't he just
tired and fussy and neglected and
mad ?"
| Well, it was pathetic the way that
woman responded to my suggestions.
They seemed to restore her self esteem
and at the same time put the man she
wanted to love and respect in a favor
able light 1 vowed I'd never again
sympathize with married woman in
a quarrel.
And so. true to my oath. III try not
to sympathize with you /. too much
dariint. Tho the heart of me aches
and RACES at thought of Curtis Bond
| throwing your aristocraticness in
your teeth and as good as calling you
a do-pothing after putting you to
work cleaning chickens. sweeping
floors and yanking water from well.
| You'll You. with your exquisite south
ern breeding, and your beautiful face,
and your beautiful voice that was
meant for the concert stage, and your
beautiful hands that were made to
1 play Chopin!
But. oh, May-how I can see YOU
saying nothing; just looking at him -
That imperious manner of yours! That
| elevated chin! That intake of the
breath thru delicate nostrilsl Why.
Maybe, there have been times when
you even irritated me with your
haughtiness. your elegant air.
Do you remember the night you
and 1 went to the dance with Ted
| Morey? And it rained cats and dogs
And you had on your gold slippers
ankles? And we stood on the corner
waiting for a street car? And none
came along. And presently you said.
Are we being taken to this dance or
are we waiting for it TO come to US ?
Are there no cabs in town.
How we'll remember Ted's face.
And Ted getting eighteen a week.
1 can imagine you washing dishes
with the tips of your fingers and your
face turned away from the soapy
steam! 1 can see you. with a pair of
old gloves on. oiling the floors daintily
and with disgust!
I remember how the other girls all
ways fixed your typewriter when it
got out of order, and put its ribbons
on for you. And you never could eat
a pork chop or plate of beans. like
anybody else. You'd rather go with
out food if you could not have chicken
la king. You'd do without carfare,
but you would spend two dollars a
week riding thru the park in a han
som ITO feed your sou1'-remember ?
Well, now you're married and don't
work any more" as the shop girl said
who exchanged her job for a widower
cold water flat and five ready-to-
wear children. And you're hooked up
to plain bread and butter people.
Do you know what 1 think2 It'u he
good for you bothl 1t will take down
your hoity-toityness. 1t will show
them that beauty has a place in life
Now you'll want to curse me for a
scold.
Ever thine. KATE.