Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-08-23
And So They
We're Married
BY HAZEL DEYc BATCHELOR
Copyright, 1919. bv Public LEDGER Co.
START THIS STORY TODAY


DUTH glanced from one to the other
1e Of the two girls. The little mother,
plGinly annoyed at the interference, and
Helen Townsend, immaculate in her tai
lored serge suit and smart little hat,
giving Jane advice on the bathing Of
babies. Ruth forced back a smile,
which she knew would be out Of place,
and waited to see what would happen.
"I'll battle her tonight" suggested
Helen.
can right" agreed Jane. You have
np idea what nuisance it is getting
home from long day at the office and
then doing the domestic stunt. l don't
think was ever cut out for a mother" /"
Helen had hurried out Of the room and
was now returning with large basin Of
warm water.
'Where are the towels?" she asked
tersely.
Jane fished out clean towel from the
pile which she had relegated to the
floor and handed it over. Then she sat
cross legged looking like naughty
little girl herself and watched Helen
handle little Joy.
"You know I've had hard day at
the Office myself" Helen observed. as
she deftly sponged off the gurging baby.
but you were cut out to be 4
!. mother" defended Jane. "You like it. ~
Helen whitened. The careless words
had wakened dear memories, hopes
which lay buried with Jim over in
France. Ruth saw and understood. but
she said nothing. and careless Jane
went on speaking.
"This is the way feel about chill
dren. II they're your own you love
them, but that doesn't mean that you
enjoy doing things for them"
Helen said nothing. She was dust =
ing talcum powder all over the baby 9
soft body and slipping on a fresh little
nightgown. When she finally held her
up she exclaimed tenderly:
"Now she's all ready for bed, the
darling. Where shall put her. Jane?"
Jane scrambled to her feet and waved
hand deprecatingly toward the rum =
pied bed. ''Put her in
lyon don't mean to say she sleeps
there?"
=. why not?'
"A baby ought to have place to
sleep by itself"
Jane laughed her delicious laugh.
why, Helen. you old maid, where do
you think I'd get money for a crib?
Joy is nearly two. anyway she's not a
baby any longer
Ruth glanced toward the bed and
wished herself that Joy needn't be put
to bed there. 1t looked lumpy and the
linen was anything but fresh. Some
how it detracted from Jane, this dis
regard for cleanliness. this careless
ness Of herself and her surroundings
Ruth thought to herself that she would
have made place for the baby to sleer
If she had had to use clothes basket
Helen walked over and drew down the
rumpled sKtet, which pulled up unde,
=. her hand. Then, with an impatien
little exclamation, she carried the baby
back to the couch. laid her down gently
and proceeded to take the covers of
the bed, and make it up all fresh. When
Joy was finally put into bed Heller
breathed n sigh of relief.
n Jane looked at Ruth aughingly
4 rHelen thinks I'm a perfect mess" she
remarked. Don't you, Helen?''
think you ought to clean up this
room and keep it clean" Helen re
turned. Really, Jane, you are in =
corrigible, you know. You oughtn't to
allow yourself to be SO slovenly."
m going to reform now," Jane re =
turned lightly. She did not seem to
resent in the smallest degree Helen S
criticism. 1t was part of her charm
this readiness to agree with Helen, to
admit the truth of what she said.
{'You wait and see," she went on, ''you
won't know me after l get all finished.
I'm going to take Saturday and Sunday
this week and clean UP this place. Then
can keep things all in order."t
And how about sewing the hooks
and eyes and snappers on your clothes?'
said Helen, with look at James dirty
smock that was held together by a
safety pin on the side.
y '"Those, too," said Jane, her eyes
following Helen's glance. You wait
and see,' she said again, with shake
of her head
When Ruth and Helen finally rose
to go Ruth was more fascinated than
ever with Jane. a,
IS "You must come and see mel" she
said warmly. -
"Oh, I'd love to, Mrs. Raymond -
tpoiu Jahe, Will warm HuSn anu en- =
thusiastic eyes. Her manner of accept
ing things, even criticism. was so eager
+ ly glad that it made one anxious to do
as much as possible, thought Ruth as
she said good bye. Ont in the street, she
turned to Helen quickly.
- How can you talk to her that way?"
81 Wasn't that room a sight?' asked
z Helen. 'Did you ever see anything
like it? You mark my words, Ruth,
that girl is going to have bitter dis :
appointment If she isn't careful. She
not only careless, put she makes no
effort to overcome her slovenliness she 8
lazy. And to think of girl like that
taking care of baby!
q sr. D.. -
Monday Jane Hears News From
Washinpton