The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-03-12

49,
A Counsel.
And that was Freddie Mason's first
dinner at home after his marriage to
Jane Estrelda Smithers. In the dining
room OF the Mason apartment, with
its soft blues and warm browns be-
hind the lovely shapes OF peWters and
of porcelains, all of which Freddie had
so loved, sat his father and his mother
and his little sister Irene. Almost 1t
might have seemed that this drama had
not come into their four lives Before
Esther, the waitress who had been with
them for years, they carried on some
how. She must never guess-indeed
nobody in all the whole wide world 9th
er thar themselves-ever must guess
that Mr., Freddie's marriage" had
brought them anything but happiness
There is a family pride and a family
loyalty without which every family Is
but a center Of civil war.
Irene's face showed the havoc of her
feelings most. She had returned from
someone's house a half o or so after
Freddie had told his mother n father
of his elopement. Since dinner soon
was to be served, and she would have
guessed at once that something was
wrong, it mao been necessary to tell
her abruptly Of the new person who
was to become part Of them; to bear
their name-that dearly honored name
OF Mason. And-lrene had given frank
expression to her emotions. Grief had
| overwhelmed her; instructive, child-
like grief. She had cried as though her
heart would break.
Freddie Mason" she had sobbed,
you're a pill; a regular pill. L never
knew such a pill in all my life"
And poor Freddie-Freddie, the ought
to be happy bridegroom-had begun to
think there might be something in her
description of him.
Now little Irene sat at the dinner
ia hlp unable tn ant' her owes CVVnllnn
and her poor, baby mouth dropping
sadly at the corners. Though IN older
observer would have pitied her least
Of the family group. One who knew
fathers and mothers would have
guessed the effort behind Mrs. Mason's
smile; would have understood what
made Mr.. Mason clear his throat so Of
ten and so manfully, as he tried to talk
on as though this were al ordinary
homecoming of Freddie.
But after dinner there had to be a
serious counsel of war. Putting ro-
nance aside for the moment, the cold
fact was that Frederick Mason, a boy
OF 10. had taken unto himself a wife,
and that wife somehow must be pro-
vided for; fed, clothed, housed.
Mrs. Mason was in the big chair be-
side the center table of the living room;
Freddie on the arm of 1t, very close to
her-his hand in hers. Mr.. Mason
tramped the floor. Irene had made
herself small, far off among the couch
| cushions. The little, miserable knot
she was out Of the business; did not
approve of It; washed her hands of the
whole affair. Said Mrs. Mason:
"Daddie. we need you awfully-in
this. | know Freddie will want to do
whatever you think best"
Some of Mr.. Mason's pain was in the
quick bitterness Of his answer.
"Freddie's a-man," he said, HE has
taken on the responsibilities of man
hood. I'm not the only one 10 be con-
suited; he has a wife-she's-more inn
portant than I ami
"oh, father" said Freddie, don't!
Estrelda will want to do what you think
best as much as I do" ~
Poor Mr.. Mason's nerves were very
much on edge, So
her rW rbss;iv t n.ms p, he asked whats
Fred, dear~sweetheart" broke in
doesn't matter Besides. its-it's a
very pretty name, Tell Freddie, darl-
ing: what you think he'd better do"
mean to blow up" Then-"Well-Fred-
die-yOur-college is gone, of course;
out Of four years of it you've had-one.
That's over for you"
Freddie ,gulped; The grip he gave his
tlR AAAb AANS ny aSAA' DNN
she did not vince. Freddie managed
to make his voice steady.
Twas afraid 1t would be like that,
sir he said-"after I-began to think.
/ realize | must-get a job"
Get a job?" repeated his father.
"Where?"
"if you'll Just suggest a little, sir,
what you think I'm best suited for, +"
said Mr.. Mason's son, "IIl go after it,;
that's ALL"
you mean-on your OWN" asked
Freddie's father.
Yes said Freddie simply.
Mr.. Mason took a turn or two up and
down the room more rapidly. Then he
exploded.
."You young IDIOT" he said, you
didn't think | was going to turn you
loose; not to give you a hand, did you?
Don't be an ass, Freddie. You'll stay
on with Mason & Company. III raise
you to-forty dollars a week and-your
expenses when you're on the road,
You've got 1900 in the bank; 500 for
each birthday. I'll deposit $500 more to-