Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-12-16
THE DAILY NOVELETTE,
South Seas and the Bdrkers
ny RUSSELL CLAYTON

James Barker closed the book he had
yust finished, laid II on the sitting room
Table, and settled back in his morris
chair, his arms folded. That story
how II got one For II dwelt with life
that was 1t, life with capital l.. In
It's compa ratively few pages were COM
passed daring government intrigues.
copra ractes, native instructions. res
cues OF dusky tropical maidens in short.
the doings of stalwart men and beauti-
ful women. Beautiful women! All!
James glanced over at his wife as she
sat placidly darning hose--his hose, pre-
sumably. The light from the cheap
artistically wrong lamp with it's frosted.
HANDICAPPED shade, neither softened the
shadows beneath her eyes nor nd the
etreaks of gray in her hair. An excel
lent wife was Minnie, but middle-aged
and, he must admit 1t, dull Her
thoughts at the moment he felt sure
were concerned with the why's and
wherefores of vegetable soups the intri-
cate problems of the laundry, the propo-
sition presented by the need of Il new
hall carpet.
Such was the stimulating companion
ship presented to a man OF his tastes !
True. II had taken this wonder book to
drive home the fact that he had such
tastes, but was II surprising that, living
the hunldrum life he did, he had not
become aware Of the inclInations lying
dormant within him?
And because for many years James
had shared every thought with his Min
nie he spoke aloud what was in his
mind.
"Do you know" he begar sa,Sy, that
this life is bore? An Intending round
repeated It. An unerding. round OF
monotony. Alarm Eocs of at e:I5.
Breakfast at ZOO. one cup coffee--two
six-minute eggs-toast, The 1880 car
At the corner. What do We get out OF
III tell you. Minnie" here James,
warming up TO his subject stood up and.
hands in pockets, began strenuous
walk between his wife's chair and the
victrola, ''our existence lacks excite
ment -
His wife. her darning needle sus-
pended in midair. looked over at him
above her sewing glasses. You're right,
James" she said. That is why think
we had better sell the house -.
Yes dear. It's like this. James"
and into her eyes crept a faraway look.
"for years I have lived 9 very mar mar
row. stunted life-compared with that
FOR which feel | was destined. And
now Of a sudden-very suddenly, I may
say have yearning for the things
! have been denIed-shimmery silks,
rings. the--the admiration of-er-of
men. To attain some OF this, We will
have to sell the house." she concluded
practically.
James had SUNK weakly down INTO MS
chair. Could this be his Minnie = Plumes
the admiration OF men He cleared
his throat II know, Minnie. but
but selling the house that we saved and
scrimped and sacrificed TO buy 20
so we did" said Minnie. then clasped
her hands ecstatiCally and lifted her
eyes to ceiling recently kalsomined.
yet, what is shelter compared to things
desired of the sOul?'
Maybe" returned Jim. morosely
''but things desired OF the soul don't
put roof over YOUR head In your old
age" James world had gone topsy-
turvy Have you decided where We
will go when the house is sold?' he In
quired coldly
Minnie waited a moment before re-
plying, her chin poised on her hands
Mo-" she gave out finally. at least.