The herald., 1920-09-02
A W0MAN'S WAY
BY ANNA GREENLEAF.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ W ~ " " SSS
&c. 1929. by Mcclure Newspaper SyndicateD
But. Jack, you wouldn't have me
wear this gown to the convention,
would your and his wife held up for
his inspection the gown that had done
duty for three seasons. 1T is shabby
and worn, besides being hopelessly
out of date. / should think you would
be ashamed of me-" and she flung the
gown from her with an angry gesture.
Ashamed of you? Neverl Why,
little girl. you always look well In my
eyes.
You understand, of course" he
added alphabetically, carefully arrang-
ing his new top coat and light felt,
that a man is obliged to keep his
clothes up to date, otherwise 1t might
affect his business standing: besides,
my golf dues must be paid today. and
next week, as you know, my college
chums arrive. There are six Of them
and the cost of their entertainment
will be considerable. But cheer up,
you will not suffer by comparison with
those at the convention, take your
husbands word for IT,"
Mrs. Potter brushed away hot, an
CRY tears as the door closed upon her
husband. Since their marriage five
years ago, she had patiently and cheer
fully repreSSed her longing for pretty
clothes and dainty articles Of adOrn-
ment that women love, but now that
her husband was we'll established in
his law practice and the comfortable
house paid for, she began TO realize
that she was making all the sacrifices
while her husband was reaping the ad-
vantage Of them, and she resolved to
check his selfishness even at the cost
of humiliation to them both.
After a week of rain the day Of the
convention dawned clear and unclOud-
ed. The sun shining upon the green
sward was dazzling in it's brightness,
while the birds sang merrily from
trees whose buds, full To bursting, pre-
saged the browning glory of spring
time.
Ruth Potter had hoped the day
would be stormy so as to render her
shabbinesS less conspicuous, but as
she opened the window and fingered
In the warmth of the sun, the beauties
of the morning awoke an answering
chord In her heart and she was glad
her wish was not granted.
There is one consolation" she re-
IL g. hn
vention, "my things all match-shab-
by gown, ditto hat, ditto gloves, ditto
Shoes" and she laughed In spite Of
herself as she turned from her mirror.
At the convention the program went
off without a hitch until the business
session, when difference Of opinion
arose regarding point of law.
At the suggestion that the matter be
settled by consulting a nearby author
ity, Mrs. Potter grasped the coveted
opportunity and volunteered to pro-
cure the required information.
She selected a committee to accom-
pany her with great care, choosing
those who were smartly and richly
dressed as a foil to her own appear
ance.
In her husbands Office Jack and his
friends were having q merry time over
their cigars when Bert Morrow brought
his feet to the floor with bang.
by Jove!" he rudely interrupted,
what a group of stunning women!
And, say, will you look at the shabby /
little mouse-why, If they aren't turn /
ing in here" and throwing away his
cigar, he began smoothing his mus /
tache excitedly.
"The same old Bert" laughed Jack, |
when a timid tap arrested him.
Upon opening the door, Jack stared .
first with surprise then with conster- |
nation that was almost alarm, at the !
picture which confronted him-a bevy |
OF stylish but tastefully-dressed wOm-
en- forming background for shrink
Ing little figure with smiling but de-
termined face and a shabby gown.
Ruth Potter chuckled inwardly as
her husband, visibly embarrassed,
stammered through the introductions.
Under the inspection of his fastidi-
Gus friends, the contrast between his
wife's apparel and that OF her richly
dressed friends seemed to Jack moth
ing less than appalling. But to the
wife it became ludicrous, and she was
obliged to make use of her handker-
chief to check her risibles as she noted
down the words which her husband
dictated in a strained, unnatural voice.
At dinner the next day Ruth gave
her husband a full account of the con-
vention.
ut was as you said, Jack, no one
noticed my clothes. How foolish
was 20 care so much"
Later in the evening, as Jack was
enjoying his cigar, he tossed a check
book into his wife's lap, remarking
sheepishly, as he felt her grateful kiss
upon his cheek: Don't be afraid OF
oyerdrawing; I'm good for It,"