Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1919-08-22
SMILES AND TEARS
BY ELIZABETH q. DAY.
copyright 1919. Mcclure Newspaper Syn
dicate.)

ulcate.)
Philip Randall was very proud Of his
wife. Alice They had been married a
year and three days and were supreme
~ happy. Alice was dainty and very
much alive and interested in things
both inside and outside her home
Philip liked to have his wife "in
things" and encouraged her many az
tivities. including sewing circles and a
social tea now and then.
Alice did not let the home suffer,
however. and 1t was always as neat IA
wax and very tastefully arranged.
Things were running very smoothly
for the Randalls, in fact, until
One day Philip came home at noon
and found the house vacant. He was
hungry and cross. why couldn't Alice
have lunch ready on timer" he'd like
I to know. "What was wife for. any
way. If not to have meals ready on
time and make things pleasant for her
husband?"
ViciOuSly he chewed his cigar and
was just about ready to leave the house
and get his lunch elsewhere when he
first wedding anniversary gift to her,
three short days before. surely he
had done his best to make her happy! ="
Alice breeZcd into the house. looking
very pretty and youthful In silk sport
suit.
Hello. honey-love" she greeted him
as she kissed him soundly. quite ign0r-
Ing his disgruntied manner.
Philip mumbled something peevishly
about "tired business man having to
wait for his meals" Immediately he
was sorry that he had said 1t, but de-
termined not to show 1t.
Alice flushed, but playfully assured
the "bleSsed crouch" that lunch would
be ready in fifty.
''In a j!ffy" CALCULATED Philip. 81
have to be ut the office in 45 minutes
unless you want me to lose my job"
His heart smote him as he saw the
happy light die out of his wifc's eyes
but somehow this noon he could not
help saying things which he had never
allowed himself to say in the past
While Alice huSied herself in the
Kitchen he sat in his big easy chair in
the living room and smoked. He was
sitting where he could see Alice NOV
Ing about preparing the bclated meal.
Moodily he watched her. then sudden
~ sat erect
could it be possible. his Alice. al
ways so bright and CHEEKY. crying?"
But yes he saw her wipe her eyes and
distinctly heard n faint sniff.
Philips pecve left him in flash and
great rcmorse took possession of him.
"Oh. why didn't keep my mouth
shut? Never spoke cross word to the
poor little girl; of course she doesn't
know how to take it." And row he was
In Il fine mess and he supposed lunch
that noon would be about the dreari-
est meal he had ever eaten.
Furtively he glanced into the kitchen
again, and sure enough. Alice was not
only wiping her eyes. but sitting down
actually making a business of crying.
Philip fidgetcd whistled n bit, and
tried to hum n tune. but his tongue
was hot and dry and chung miscrnbly
to the roof Of his mouth.
Brute" he accused himself. "crank."
the dearest wife man ever had was
indeed unbearable
| Clumsily he made his way into the
kitchen, stumbling over a couple OF
chairs in his haste.
Alice took no notice of him. but
continued to dig a pathetic little wad
OF moist linen into first one eye and
then the other. Then she smiled wanly
through her tears. and Philip, unable
to resist any longer. gathered her into
his arms and begged to be forgiven.
Don't cry dear, / didn't mean it,
sweetheart, I'm sorry and"
He got no further.
Was Alice laughing at him? What
/ he'd come over his dependable little
wife who never had Mysteries or any OF
the other purely feminine Affections
"Oh. Phil" and she fairly Shriekcd
with mcrriment. ooh you blessed old
peach. did you think l was crying be.
cause YOU were bit impatient?"
"Well weren't you?" demanded the
astonishcd husband.
Il was peeling onions" g&spcd
Alice between peals Of laughter.
Philip joined her quite rclievedly
and shamefaccdly.
"You know, dear" he said few
minutes later, "steak and onions never
tasted so good before, especially the
onions"