The Oklahoma City times. [volume] (Oklahoma City, Okla.) 1908-1984, 1918-01-01

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6yA A&e1e Garrison
Why Mrs. Durkee's Blithe Telephone
Message Depressed Madge.

GA RE YOU going to be home to-
Mrs. Durkee's voice. soft and
sweet as the little woman herself came
over the telephone wire to me, | had
only caught ilecting Rllmpss of her
since the morning had gone to see
her following the cntry Of the United
states into war. and OF her son Al
ircd'S announce determination to get
into the gam" the first chance he could
get.
She had moved into the house next
o ours. which her son had bought. dur
ing the same week that had held my
own never to-bc-lorgotten moving cx-
pcrerce with William Trumbull and his
pashcart, but VIC had both been so busy
settling that We had seen very little
Of each othe7. 1hi, state OF affairs.
however, vas not really a. uracighbor-
" as il might appear. for The places,
though adjoining, have large grounds
and the houses are a long distance
apart and almost out Of sight OF each
other because OF the trees and shrub
berry and the hedges surrounding them.
knew what hcr question meant II
was her way OF preiacing an announce
mcnt OF a call from Alfred and herself
! gave my answer all the cordial friend
illness ! felt for my little neighbor,
Indeed We are" ! said Il do hope
your question means that you are COM
ing over 1t seems years since we've
all had an evening together
Ages y Mrs. Durkee affirmed.
"Why, yes. Alfred said this morning
he'd like to come over tonight You
see, he's going to Plattsburg soon, to
the officers training camp, and he
wants to come TO see you all before he
goes. I'd ask you To come over here,
but the house is a sight ! haven't
seemed able to set myself to anything
lately"
Katie Is a Dear"
you should see mine ! returned
lightly. although my heart ached for
the little woman who hadn't seemed
able to set hctsclt to anything since
her boy had announced his dctermua-
ton to 60 to war. Mrs Durkcc is one
OF the best housckccpers know, and
ii her house, even through stress Of I'm.
expected circumstances. falls below the
rigid standard ot order she sets for II,
she doesn't like to have any one come
into 1t until she has restored it TO its
usual Immaculate condition II is a 1T
tie weakness oi hers that her friends
an know and at which they smile Low
lngly
"Oh. yours" " Mrs Durkec Scoiied
There's never a Spcck OF dust IN your
house But then YOU can't take all the
credit OF IL That Katie oi yours is a
wonder never see her hut she p,
cleaning
Katie J., a dear" returned. and
tried not to make my tone constrained
wondered. as ! had done many times
before, whether my little friend means
to be dellcatcly feline, or Is uncon.
scious OF the tiny scralchc, she some
times gives. She did not employ a
maid but did her huuSevork herself
save Tor the aid given her hy a lam.
dress two days week Her house WIS
fully as large a, mine and her sou
brought many friend, home tur enter.
tainmcnt II was not the first time that
unconSCiously or arlOully She had m.
slnuatcd that my house wouldn't look
as well as her, IT employed mo- more
help than she did Hut she /, So tru,
and dear a friend IN so many way,
that never allow the doubt as lo m,
innocence ol ncr nIlc verbal pnprlok.
to make any difference lu my attitude
toward her
Cant ,ou come over 90 dinner"
asked cordially
Thank YOU. bat I've got one of Al
ircds la,orlc dishes already preparing