The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-01-17
The Woman
He Married
BY JANE PHELPS
NAN THINKS MRS. WILLIAMS
DISAGREEABLE.
CHAPTER 43.

II saw Mr.. Ogden eying you close
| ly,'' Mother Williams said when we
reached home.
He has an eye for beauty" Dick
broke in langhingiy.
II don't think 1t was that" she re-
piled disagreeably. II should be in
Iclined to think he was wondering how
you could afford to dress Nan as she
was dressed"
Now. mother." Dick said in warn
ing voice, but left the room. I knew
| if remained L would quarrel with
her, I was trembling all over with
anger. The meddlesome old woman, 1
said to myself as I threw my hat on
the bed and started to undress. Usually
after we had spent the evening at the
theater or a movie I fixed little sup
per for Dick. But il he had anything
to eat he'd have to get it himself this
night.
I'm sorry you felt annoyed with
mother" he said a few moments later.
had heard him bid her an affection
ate goodnight. f'She is old. and per-
haps old-fashioned, but she means
well"
"If it was anyone in the world but
your mother, Dick. wouldn't stand
for it!'
Il know, dear Now let's forget it,
-
think it has been spoiled"
/ said no more, but it was hard to
appear natugal the next morning when
Mother Williams came to breakfast
Dick noticed it. and talked and joked
constantly. BY the time we had fin
ished had myself in hand.
BE a sport, Mani" he whispered
when he kissed me goodbye.
"I'll try" replied. not at ali sure
could control myself if his mother
interfered again.
That day Mrs. Gray came in to call.
Il heard that your mother was here.
and have been trying toget in, but
haven't been very WELL" I felt guilty.
She had been SO kind and neighborly
that was ashamed she could be Ill and
| I not know it.
Mr.. Williams's mother" I said in
Producing the two.
; They seemed to take to each other
at once. I was delighted when Mrs.
Gray praised me, my housekeeping, my
care of Junior.
Your son is blessed in having SO
| competent a wife" she said. $50 many
girls nowadays know nothing of keep
ing house. or caring for baby"
Junior is like my son. He was
always a healthy, husky boy"
1 changed the subject by offering
tea, and they soon were chatting about
their younger days, the change in the
times, etc. But I scarcely listened.
Mother Williams would be gone in a
few days. Dick must make more
| money. The butcher had only that
| morning intimated he could not wait
much longer for his bill, and / wanted
so many things for the house, for my
self. and for Junior.
had contriyed to make Dick open
an account for me In one of the de-
partment stores. But he had made me
promise 1 would buy nothing except
little things that were absolutely ne
cessary, without consulting him.
Unfortunately, Mother Williams had
quite a lecture on the evils of charge
accounts.
People always spend more, and for
things they do not need. 1t is SO easy
to say charge it. and the goods are
SO temptingly displayed. 1t is done
purposely to tempt those who haven't
stamina to buy only what they need
and what they can pay for. If there
was no such thing as credit, there
would be fewer divorces"
Dick and both pretended to laugh
at her extreme notions, but ! was
terribly annoyed. 1t seemed that since
she had arrived l had been criticised
for everything I did, or wanted TO do.
altho Dick tried to laugh it off, ana
pretend it had no effect upon him.
Clara and Mother Williams did not
hit it off at all. Mother objected to
all Clara said and did.
ST don't think she is a proper COM
paion for you. Nan. She seems lack
ing in character, moral responsibility.
Now, Mrs. Gray is a lovely woman
and"
"OId enough to be my motheri You
will have to let me choose my own
friends, I am afraid
You'd better be with older people
of the right sort than with younger
ones who influence you TO do wrong"
1 let her have the last word. What
use to argue?
(Tomorrow-Mother Williams returns
home.)