The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1920-05-07

: = IL
ana not before. If you really need II
III send check this week"
Dlcky lowered his voice, but TINS
tones are naturally clear and vibrant
ana heard every word. Another voice,
deprecating voice, that recognized
as Mr.. Touraine's murmured some
thing, and Dicky exploded:
What! You dared to come here ana
Irlghten my wife into paying this Dill.
Why, you blasted little runt, II you
weren't so small I'd throw you down
these stairs. / have half mind 10
do it any way"
I had reached the door by this time,
and stepped in front of Dicky. )
apologize for my husband, Mr.
Touraine,' / said as calmly as could.
T do not think he realizes what he
says when he is angry. Thank you SO
much for bringing me the change !
took 1t from his outstretched hand.
land good night"
The shabby little tradesman took the
hint and hurried away. / went back
into the living room, and Dicky fol-
lowed me in. his face crimson. his eyes
blazing with anger. I knew that he
had transferred his wrath from Mr..
Touraine to me, also that the CHIEF
cause OF his anger was childish morti-
fication that should have learned
about the unpaid bill.
May I ask why you took 1t upon
yourself to pay this personal bill OF
mine, OF which you knew nothing, not
even if it were genuine?".
Dlcky's voice was hoarse with anger
as he faced me. I crossed the room
and carefully closed the door into the
kitchen, where I could hear Katie sing
ing over the dinner dishes.
There is no need OF Katie sharing
this discussion" said coldly, as I sat
down in my chair near the CRATE. I felt
the need Of the warmth from the blaze.
That is not answering my question"
Dicky fairled snapped the words out.
There are many things have to say
to you tonight besides the answer to
that question" returned. But I do
not care to say anything until you can
sit down and we can talk things over
calmly
IF that isn't just like you" Dicky
said. do something that humiliates
fellow to the limit, then put on that
superior school, ma'am manner and
propose to have q calm, bad boy-after-
school session. Permit me to remind
you that I am your husband, and not
a refractionary pupil"
Dicky was fast working himself into
a rage. I wanted to postpone his an
CRY fit if possible, until all the points
of difference between. us had been dis
cussed. tried to make my voice con-
ciliatory. -
please don't make it so hard for
me, 1t is impossible for me to talk to
you while you are storming around like
that. Do sit down and and listen to
me-"
well, what have you got to say for
yourself?" Dicky's words were dis
tinctly ungracious, but his tone was
less angry, and he sat down in a chair
opposite me as he spoke.
If 1 had been less intent upon set
Ting once for all our household finances
I could not have borne Dicky's insult
ing manner. I had heard that hus-
bands sometimes spoke to their wives
as they dared address no other wom-
an, and I was finding out the truth of
the saying. But had too much at stake
to spend my ammunition upon small
resentments. I waited until I could
control the trembling of my voice be-
fore I spoke.
'I probably owe you an apology for
not bringing the bill to you instead of
paying it myself" 1 began, 'but the
man appeared to need the money SO
sorely, and it had been running so
long,"
Dicky fIshed hot1y. "He would have
been paid long ago if he hadn't been
so Internally impudent," he growled.
ignored this outburst and went on:
1rrD iolyx I,1x
gals me to owe anybody anything. II
could not enjoy any of these things you
have provided for me if thought that
the money which bought them actually
belonged to creditors"
t'You may salve your tender con-
science, madam" Dicky sneered, with
the knowledge that you have paid the
only bill owe which has been running
longer than the current month. I am
in the habit of paying my debts. II
went out of the city suddenly and for
got all about this fellow, and he had
the impudence to appear at the studio
when I was giving a blowout. I have
never paid any more attention to him.
Oh, by the way"
He went to his room and returned
with three ten dollar bills which he
scornfully tossed into my lap with
much the same gesture as he would
have tossed bone to a dog.
Keep the change for your trouble"
His voice was unbreakable.
The tone and words were like the
flick of a whip. Self control, good
breeding, will power, all slipped from
me like garment. With the temper
of a fish-wife, + snatched the bills
from my lap, and threw them full in