Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1920-07-23
9*e,,<Se9e9@@e s g 9A99S9999
A W0MAN'S WAY
BY ANNA cREENLEAF.
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.

~ ANNA 66eeNIeAr' Is
e99ee99ee99e9e9e9eS$
o. 1919. by Mcclure Newspaper syndicats.)
"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
cut Of date. I should think you would
be ashamed Of me-" and she flung the
gown from her with an angry gesture.
ASHAMED of your Neverl Why,
little girl, you always look well In my
eyes.
you understand, Of course" he
added apologetically, carefully arrang-
Ing his new top coat and light felt,
that q man Is obliged to keep his
! clothes up to date, otherwise it 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 selishness 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 its 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 80 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-
dected, as she dressed for the con-
vention, my things all match-shab-
Shoes" and she laughed in spite Of
herself as she turned from her mirror.
At the convention the program went
of without hitch until the business
session, when a difference Of opinion
arose regarding point of law.
At the suggestion that the matter be
settled by consulting 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 merry time over
their cigars when Bert Morrow brought
his feet to the floor with a bang.
"By Jove!" he rudely interrupted,
what 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 w0m-
en- forming background for shrink |
Ing little figure with smiling but de-
termined face and shabby gown.
Ruth Potter chuckled inwardly as
her husband, visibly embarrassed,
sstammered through the introductions.
Under the inspection Of his fastldi-
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 1t 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 full account Of the con-