The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-01-14
The Woman
He Married
BY lane PHELPS
DICKS MOTHER is COMING.
BY JANE PHELPS


wept a little at Dicks having left
me without his customary kiss, but
not for long. I was too delighted with
the quiet way in which he had taken
my running in debt for the dress.
Now 1 can wear it in comfort!'' 1
said aloud as did my morning work.
The postman brought a letter from
Chicago. 1t was from Dicks mother.
I knew her handwriting and opened it.
was afraid his father might be worse.
But it was just a short note saying his
sister and husband were going to go
south, and had offered to send her to
visit with Dick. She would arrive the
following day.
1 did not like Dicks mother, but 1
did like Dick and wanted to make her
visit pleasant for his sake. So L
scrubbed and cleaned all day long. She
should not be able to find fault with
my housekeeping. 1 took Junior with
me to market late in the afternoon,
and bought all we would need for two
days. 1 charged everything, and in
one place had quite a disagreeable
time.
Can you give me something on ac-
count, Mrs. Williams? l am short to-
day" the grocer said.
mo, not today. I will pay my en-
tire bill in a few days and trade else
dunned." L had learned, you see. not
to fear the tradesmen. 1 no longer
cringed when they asked for money.
had seen how both Clara and Mildred
talked to them.
"Oh, don't do that! I didn't mean
| to offend you. But your bill is pretty
large and, as I said, I am short"
1 made no reply, but took my bum
die and left.
Dick was delighted that his mother
' - - 10 \
cleaned and worked all day. and that
in the morning 1 would bake. He
mentioned some of the things his
mother particularly liked, and 1 prom
ised to make them.
you're a brick, Mani" He kissed
me lovingly. 1.-The house looks like
new pin, and mother will be delighted
with it 1 know"
I had been sorry his mother was
coming, but now I was pleased. Dick
had forgotten to be angry with me
about the dress, in his delight at her
visit, and my preparations
The train got in about O'Clock
the following afternoon, so Dick met
his mother and brought her up. His
sister and her husband weren't stop,
ping off.
She was very pleasant and affable
all the evening, complimented me
upon my cooking, ct cetera. She also
seemed very proud of Junior, and
made great fuss over him. My heart,
sank when she said she was going to
remain two weeks with us, yet I tried
to persuade myself she would remain
pleasant and that we should get along
famously, as Dick had said we would
when she announced her intention.
The next day everything went all
right, altho she asked a good many
questions regarding our expenses,
what rent we paid, ct cetera.
"You pay too much in proportion
to Dicks salary" she said. He told
me what he was getting now. And
Nan, you can't afford to set so expen-
sive q table. The cost of food is ter
rible in Chicago, and I am sure is as
! much here
was too indignant to speak, SO
made no reply. She said no more,
perhaps realizing my displeasure. But
the next morning when 1 started for
market she offered to go with me. 1
couldn't very well say I did not want
her to, so 1 dressed Junior and we
started out. She interfered with ev
erything 1 wanted to buy. She watched
the scales until the tradesmen were
insulted. She argued over everything.
Then when she heard me tell them to
charge the things, she turned on me. I
rushed from the store, but they must
have heard a part of what she said.
II forgot my purse" I told her. fIt
was only So. I'll pay it tomorrow
Never run in debt, Nan, never! 1t
is like a disease once you start it.
Pay for what you have, and what
you can't pay for, go without
I was terribly afraid she would tell
Dick, and find fault with me. But 1
said one word to him about it, altho
she did say that she thought we lived
extravagantly.
(Tomorrow-A box at the theater.)