The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1919-11-15
THE DAILY
SHORT STORY
A Lesson in Time.
BY ]. K. Marshall.
Copyright, 1913, by the Mcclure
Newspaper Syadlcate)

udppy COuple iudI tHN
who had been married a te"
short weeks; but today Helen was mo-
happy. This was due to the fact ina
she had taken the time this morning
to review the events Of the past lev
weeks. She knew that Bruce loTec
her dearly, and in his good hearted
ness would deny her nothing to make
her happy. But now, she had to &C.
knowledge he had one serious fault
which was a menace to their future
happiness. His belief that it was his
sole right to supervise everything
about The household clashed harshly
with her free and independent ideas
Helen had reIIgiously refused to
allow these thoughts to enter her minn
antil last evening, when they had en-
tertained for the first time in Their
new home. She had looked forward
with much pleasure to this event, and
thought with a touch Of pride how
Mrs. Warren would compliment her
on the haven OF delight that she and
Bruce had created for their home.
But what q bitter disappointment 1t
had heen to her as she stood by and
heard Bruce in answer TO the many
pleasant ordinations from the guests
as they viewed the furnishings, as
sumo the credit to himself, in pro-
prietary manner, with not one word
of praise for herself. The realization
Of this trait in Bruce had spoilt her
evening, and she was unable to be the
gay, Iighthearted girl they had al
ways known.
After the guests had departed
Bruce had asked her what was wrong;
but her efforts at an explanation only
aroused in him a feeling of resent
ment. Her gentle remorstrance at his
persistently ignoring her, not only in
the selection OF the household furn-
ishings but their arrangement as well,
had brought forth from him his dec
laration that he was master of his
home.
She realized the futility of further
discussion of this subject with Bruce,
because she knew him to be too posi-
tive in his ideas. She thought over
all this, carefully, anu made up her
mind to change things. Yes, she
would begin right now She called
her mother on the phone and asked
her to go shopping with her.
Helen bought new silk covers for
the round cushions, new curtains for
the windows and beautiful, ricn
brown cover for the library table. She
had wanted those things in the living
room, when she was first married,
Vol, now she was going to have them.
Mother had always selected these
things at homo. Other women plan
ned the arrangement Of their homes.
So would che.
After they had tea, she left her
mother and went home. Hurredly slip
ping into her large blue Bingham ap-
ron, she went to work. First, she
took down the curtains in the living
room Mrs. 0'Brien had cleaned the
windows, just two days ago, so she
could now put up the new curtains.
Then she opened her packages. "Whal
= beautiful rich golden brown!" She
thought. as she held the curtains up
to admire them "And low well they
looked with the brown rug!" Soon the
rom took on new pretty effect,
True, the curtains and other things
that Bruce had bought were lovely,
but they were not just what Helen
had wanted; and then she must show
Bruce that she, too, could plan and
furnish room with excellent taste,
and that it was her right.
Her work completed, she found It
would be little more than an hour be-
fore Bruce would be home. She had
Just been in the sun parlor few min
utes, trying to become interested in q
late novel, whene Bruce arrived. ShO
saw him coming up the walk, carry.
ing square white box under one arm
and long box in his other hand.
Flowers and candy thought Helen.
This had happened once before, when
Bruce left the house in bad humor
after breakfast because Helen had
served bacon with her eggs and Bruce
did not eat pork "in any way, shape
Of FORM" Flowers and candy were
mis- peace offering, which should COW
er any breach. Well, he must learn
differently. She usually ran to the
door to meet him. but today she pre-
tended TO be reading
Bruce entered the house and plac-
ing his packages on the table, he went
TO her quickly,
Helen dear, he began. want to
talk to you. 1t Is about last night"
Helen gazed at him in srHgSrlse. Why
what did It mean? This penitent tone
from Bruce. And he had never be-
fore said he was sorry. Perhaps she
had been too hasty about buying the
new things for the living room.
"oh, Bruce, wait. ! want to tell yon
about this afternoon. l."
She was interrupted by Bruce, "a
have been selfish cad. know how
you must feel about my selecting ev,
erything for our home, and trying to
supervise their arrangement. But
must tell you how l came to realize
this. This morning going to town
Mrs. Warren and Mrs, TTavers got OF
at Homewood, They took the seal
right back of me. At first did mol
recognize their voices then they men.
toned your name" Bruce paused
made another effort, then went on,
Mrs. Warren was saying some nice
things about you, when Mrs. TraVers
remarked, What a pity she allows hel
young husband to run everything. VIII