Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1920-01-02
Al Lesson
In Time
By ]. x. MARSHALL
copyright. 1912. by the Mcclure News
paper Syndicate.)


There was no more devoted and
happy couple than the Wards. who had
been married Il few short weeks: but
today Helen was not happy This was
due To the fact that she had taken the
TIME this morning to review the events
or the past few weeks. She knew
that Bruce loved her dearly. and
IN his good-heartedness would deny
her nothing tn make her happy. But
now she was to acknowledge he had
one serious fault. which WAS Il men
ace To their future happiness. Fills
belief that ii was his sole right to
supervise everything about the house
hold clashed hnr>hly with her free
and independent ideas.
Helen had reigiously refused to
allow these thoughts TO enter her mind
untii last evening. when they Ind en-.
tertained for the first time in their
new home. She had looked forward
with much pleasure to this event. and
thought with Il touch Of pride how
Mrs. Warren would compliment her OH
the haven of delight that she and
Bruce had created for their home. BIT
what bitter disappointment 1t had
been 10 her as she stood by aud heard
Bruce. in answer To the many pleas
ant eNcInmati"ns from the guests. as
they viewed the furnishings. assume
the credit To himself, in proprietary
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,
liSht-hcartcd girl they had always
known.
After the guests had departed
Bruce had asked her what was
wrong; but her efforts at an eXpla-
nation only aroused in him a feeling
Of resentment. Her gentle remon-
STRANGE at his persstently ignoring
her. not only in the selection Of the
household furnishings but their ar
rangement as well, had brought forth
from him his declaration 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, and made up her
mind to change things. Yes, she
would begin right now. She called
her mother Oh the phone and asked
her to go shopping with her.
Helen bought new sill, covers for
the round cushions, new curtains for
the windows and beautiful rich
brown cover for the library table.
She had wanted these things in the
living room, when she was first mar
ricd. Well. now she was going to
have them. Mother had always Sc
lectcd these things at home. Other
women planned, the arrangement Of
their homes. So would she.
After they had tea, she left her
mother and went home. Hurricdly
slipping into her large blue gingham
! apron. she Went to work. First, she
took down the curtains In the living
room. Mrs. O'Brien had cleaned the
windows just two days ago. SO she
could now put up the new curtains.
Then she opened her packages
"What beautiful, rich golden
brown" She thought, as she held the
curtains up 10 admire them. "And
how well they looked with the brown
rug" Soon The room 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
nYpol1Qnt that
right.
Her work completed, she found 1t
would be little more than an hour
before Bruce would be home. She
would have plenty Of time to dress
and read awhile before starting to
prepare dinner. She had Just been
in the sun parlOr q few minutes, try
ing to become interested in late
novel, when Bruce arrived. She saw
him coming up the walk, carrying q
square white box under one arm and
long box in his other hand. "Flow-
ers and candy" thought Helen This
had happened once before, when
Bruce left the house in bad hrmor
after breakfast, because Helen had
served bacon with their eggs, and
Bruce did not eat pork ain any way.
shape or form" Flowers and candy
were his peace offering. which should
cover any breach. Well. he must
learn differently. She usually ran
to the door to meet him, but today
she pretended to be reading.
Bruce entered the house and, plac-
ing his packages on the table, he
went to her quickly.
Helen. dear" he began, 81 want
10 talk TO you. 1t Is about last
night"
Helen gazed at him in surprise.
Why. what did it mean? This peni-
tent tone from Bruce. And ho had