Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-12-10
THE DAILY NOVELETTE,
HER PROOF
By Ellen L. Thompson

XIOUNG Mrs. Jim C. sat alone in her
i cozy living-room, not in idleness. as
one would have supposed. to look at
her. but intent on solving very serious
problem, which confronted her. Yes, she
was thinking and thinking hard, with lips
thougttfuny pursed. and brows drawn IN
u decided frown. Sc far she wished she
had accepted one Of those invitations
for the afternoon for she couldn't think
of a thing to help her trouble. 1t had
all begun while she and Jim were on
their summer vacation few weeks pc
fore, and stopping at mountain MOTEL
There was, of course, the porch gossip
here, and while Eleanor detested 1t she
had to have some. one to tax 70 wnen nm
wasn't there, and she had been aDout
she heard Eer name mentioned, the sound
coming clearly in through the open WIN
dow. She stopped and turned to go, put
the phrases pretty and well dressed,
like baby doll" came clearly to her
ears. She turned and fled to her room,
her cheeks burning. For, alas. she be-
gan TO realize that much as she hated
those words and what they implied they
wene more or less true. For Jim. her
big. handsome adoring husband, only
laughed when she tried to talk of sert-
GUS things or asked questions about his
work, and promptly changed the sub
iect. She decided then and there that
him she was no 'baby doll" and
wouldn't be treated like one, either
For the short remainder of their va
cation she tried to forget it and have
solves away for future reference. And
now. here she was back In town, set
tied in her lovely home, and ready to
begin on her problem. That far she
had gone, and no further. when her
which she had thrown carelessly aside
that very morning. 1t advertised a
short secretarial course, Of a few months
only, She picked It up thoughtfully,
and with a dim but growing resolve
word. "Il do it, she cried aloud at
the brilliancy OF the idea. '1'll show
lin that I can do something besides
wear pretty clothes the, and go to, to parties
and be treated like a baby DOLL"
So, in great secrecy and with many
little lies and deceits to Jim and he,
friends. who wondered at her absence
from all daytime society gatherings. she
took the course, and at the end of the
prescribed time was given fine position
ment she found her employer to be a
very influential business friend Of Jim's
She had never met him. as good lucl
} would have 1t. and though Jim had sug-
gested many times that they have, him
to dinner, they had somehow never sci
) a date. ~. ~
So, when she had proven to her own
satisfaction that she could be a secre.
tary and good one. too. and that she
stood high in Mr.. B--'s estimation
she told herself that the time had come
to show Jim a few things and open
his eyes to the fact that she was OF
some Importance in the world. Arrived
at this conclusion. she sweetly sug-
to dinner that night. AS there didn't
seem to be anything else in particular
going on Jim beamed and kissed heI
and went his way. all unsuspecting oi
the deep plot laid for him.
Mr.. B accepted. of course, and
from the moment of his arrival ii was
noticed by those present, gazed intently
at Mrs. Jini-as often as good manners
would allow. Finally, with puzzled
yet determined air. he said: "Haven't
Mrs CT" There was a little pause. ir
which everyone seemed to be waitinr
for her reply. She broke the pause with
the startling announcement, every day
laughed joyously at the incredulity and
astonishment written Son every face
Even Mr.. B was amazed, for this
brilliant. beautifully gowned society
woman was certainly different person
from the quiet, plainly dressed young
lady who wrote his letters daily for him
Fhen, not daring to look at Jim, she
told them briefly the story of her busi-
ness career. To them 1t was "just for
fun, and to see If could do It."
There were may exclamations as to
her pluck" and courage" and 'clev-
erness," and then the subject changed.
1t seemed to Eleanor that they would
never go, but finally. one by one. they
ie1t, ana as she came back slowly from
the. door where to his great regret she
had given her resignation to Mr.. b
now. that the secret was out OF
course, she began to wonder what jim
thought and what he would say, he look.
ed so stern as he stood there by the
window. But before she had time tC
be afraid she ran straight to him with
the words "oh, Jim r. In a second his
arms were around her, and she was tell
ing him her pitiful little story, and OF
how she had tried to show him that
she wasn't baby doll" "And I'm not
one now, am ], Jim. dear?" she Inquired
anxiously. raising her head from his
her assuringly.
rsmsrew's eonplsts nsvslssts--.
Fss1x Bays sten2,