South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-02-21
REVELATIONS OFA WIFE
81 Adele OarTISOn :

50 the chief cause of his anger was
childish modification that l should
have learned about the unpaid bill.
May I ask why you took it upon
yourself 10 pay this personal bill Of
mine, OF which you knew nothing,
not even if it were genuine?"
Dicky's voice was hOarse with an
ger as he faced me. 1 crossed the
room and carefully closed the door
into the kitchen where l could hear
Katie singing over the dinner dishes
There is no need of Katie shar-
ing this discussion" | said cOldly as
1 sat down in my chair near the
CRATE. I felt the need Of the
warmth from the blaze.
That is not answering my ques-
ton Dicky fairly snapped the
words out
There are many things | have 70
say TO you tonight besides the ans
wer to that question" I returned.
But l do not care to say anything
until you can sit down and we can
talk things over calmly"
IF that isn't just like you" Dicky
ates a fellow TO the limit, then put
on that superior schoolma am man
ner and propose to have a calm,
bad boy -after-school session. Per
NIT me TO remind you that I am
your husband. and not a refractory
pupil"
Dicky was fast working himself
into a rage l wanted to postpone
his angry fit, if possible. until all
the points of difference between US
had been discussed. tried to make
my voice conciliatory.
Please don't make it so hard for
me. Dicky. l may owe you an eX-
PLANTATION. but it is impossible for
me 10 talk TO you while you are
storming around like that. Do sit
down and listen to me-"
Wei. what have you got TO say
for YOURSELF" Dicky's words were
distinctly ungracious, but his tone
was less angry, and he sat down in
a chair opposite me as he spoke
If l had been less intent upon set
Ting once for all our household fl
nances J could not have borne
bicky's insulting manner. 1 had
heard that husbands sometimes
spoke to their wives as they dared
address no other woman, and I was
finding out the truth of the saying.
But l had too much at stake 10
spend my ammunition upon small
resentments. I waited until I could
control the trem bling of my voice
before I spoke.
II probably owe you an apology
for not bringing the bill to YOU in
stead of paying il myself" I began.
but the man appeared TO need the
money so sorely, and it had been
running so long"
Dicky flushed holly. He would
have been paid long ago if he hadn't
been so Internally impudent," ne
growled
I ignored this outburst and went
on:
You cannot know, Dicky, how IL
gals me TO owe anybody anything.
I could not enjoy any of these things
you have provided for me If
thought that the money which
bought them actually belonged to
creditors"
You may salve your tender CON
science, madam" Dicky sneered,
with the knowledge that YOU have
paid the only bill I owe which has
run longer than the current month.
I am in the habit OF paying my
debts. 1 went out of the city sud
denly ana forgot all about this fell
low, and he had the impudence 20
appear At the studio when I was
giving a blowout. 7 have never paid
any more attention 10 him. on, by
the way"
He went to his room and return
ed with three $40 bill" which he
scornfully tossed into my lap with
much the same gesture as he would
have tossed a bone TO a dog
Keep the change for your trOu-
bic" His voice was unbreakable
The tone and words were like the
flick of 4 whip. Self-control good
breeding. will power, all slipped
from me like a garment. With the
temper Of a fsh-wife 7 snatched the
bills from my lap and threw them
full in Dickyz face.