Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1918-10-02
The Wife.
Ruth II Made Uncomfortable by Mrs.
Fnrtla
By JANE PHELPS
CHAPTER XXXVI.

Ruth met Mrsl Curtis. the peIl
day when she went out 10 luncheon
Brian had introduced her one day In
the street and Ruth never had seen
her again. so she was more than a
little surprised when Mrs. Curtis
asked II she were going to lunch
then proposed that they lunch to.
gether.
II surprised Ruth that Mrs. Curtis
should seek her company. To Ruth,
1t seemed that they could have moth.
Ing in common. She recalled that
Brian had said that Mrs. Curtis was
a society butterfly She, Ruth. was
now a working woman But 10 her
surprise she found Mrs Curtis rather
Interesting.
And 80 you actually work." Mrs.
Curtis said, Work In a store. How
quaint! Doesn't Mr. Hackett OBJ
ject7"
Why should she ask that question
Ruth had not yet learned TO answer
II without looking conscious. Even
meek Mrs. La Monte had asked IL.
one day when she came 10 the shop
to see her husband.
why should he?" Ruth queried
In return. conscious OF the flush on
AtNA AaOOg uOh WI hlDks
mo, OF course not! But he's a
man, that's different"
" don't agree with you. II a
woman Is capable, and II she cares
more about doing some sort OF work
outside of the home than she does
about peeling potatoes and washing
dishes. why shouldn't she do what
she likes best-especially II there are
no children"
You have the oldest ideas, Mrs
HacketL I'd give anything to know
how 10 do something that would keep
me eager and interested as you seem
to be. "
1T isn't seeming. Mrs. Curtis. l am
interested | love my work N the
shop, and hate. l abominate wash
Ing dishes and doing housework. Mr..
Hackett Is young, has his way to
make. II wouldn't be right for me
to hire competent help and sit
around doing nothing. II wouldn't
be fair" Ruth might have added.
Nor would II be possible"
That's new way OF looking at
II. But most men hate to have their
wives work. And another thing!
have observed that where the wife
works, where she really earns money
the husband after a while let's her
do 1t all. II seems to. me It 10 bad
for the men in that respect. 1t sort
OF has demoralizing effect on them.
And the queer part OF II Is. II seems
to affect all classes of men in the
same way, from the washerwoman' .
husband up"
II don't agree with you, Mrs, Cur
It's, although II is interesting to hear
your views or course | never have
known women who worked, so / am
not qualified to talk upon the sub
Ject, But can't see why II should
demoralIze man, as you say, TO
have his wife earn money"
Il don't know why 1t does either,
but know that 1t does, In almost
every case. or course I am not say
ing 1t will in your case. There are
always exceptions, you know. Then
too, Mr. Hackett Is a professional !
man. and they have more pride In
succeeding than any other class !
think, by the way. have you met
that old friend OF Mr.. Hacketts, Mol
lio King"
Yes. and found her charming"
"Isnt she? am not much for
that Bohemian crowd, myself, but
always liked Mollie, and Mr.. Curtis
is as fond OF her as l am. often
have her to dinner, l would ike
you and MIR. Hackett to dine with US
some night when she Is with us
that is. II you would care to come.
Il should like 1t very much" Ruth
replied honestly. II would give her
a chance to see Brian and Moilie
King together
How nice, don't suppose Mr.,
will object. Mr.. Curtis used
TO say he thought they would make
a match. never agreed with hlm'
And, you see, | was right,
Ruth saw near tragedy looming
up, yet she smiled. swallowed hard
once then said quite calmly; ,
"Oh, Brian, Mr.. Hackeu' mas tolu
me all about his old acqualntances
Miss King included. II is quite IN
teresting to listen TO his stories, But
/ presume you had the same expert
ence with Mr.. Curtis"
Mrs. Curtis hadn't But she sdid
nothing about her husbands secre-
although she determined to
put. him through the third degree
when she reached home. Receiving
no reply, Ruth continued
you see, In my work, ! am OFTEN
sent out OF town TO look after the ~
OF some wonderful old
houses 1t isn't fair that Mr.. Hack
EFT should he alone. feel compelled 10
dine and spend the evening alone
wnen | am out of town. SO ! am
glad that he has some one Ike Miss
King to go out with him, and to eh e
tertain him when I am away"
4