Arizona republican., 1921-12-07
Chapter XXI

John Aidrich felt chagrined. He had been outwitted in every way He had tried to be kind to Marcia, in dulgent, too But she had taken the attitude ever since few months aft CT their marriage that he could give her more If he would-as much as Mrs. Jones, Mrs. Smith and Mrs. Brown had, Jones. Smith and Brown standing for Marcia's intimates.
 Most Of the women Marcia went with were older than she and had wealthy or comfortably fixed hus- bands with large incomes. Even those John knew earned more than he did. had, according to Marcia, more than she did.
 I'd like to know how they do it." John grumbled when Marcia told him that their new apartment was more expensive than the one Neil French lived in.
 But he stopped at the agents on his way downtown the next morn ing and signed the lease. Indeed he | had no choice, as immediately after breakfast Marcia remarked: Mother anG < will go down with you this morning John. I want to | measure the windows of the apart ment and see how our curtains will fit. The landlord furnishes the shades
 He'd better if we are to have any!" John muttered under his breath.
 What did you say. John?" Mrs. Vaue inquired.
 Nothing" Then: "You'n have to hurry. Marcia, if you are going with me-
 When Marcia and her mother had ! appeared a the table John knew there was something in the wind. He | invariably breakfasted alone. Now it came to him. They didn't trust him, were afraid 70 let him go to the agent aions fo,' fear he would repu- diate their baA gain. He longed to dc so, but hadn't the independence. It was a quiet trio who sat at the table, although Marcia tried to chat
 ter as usual But John was anxious worried, angry. and showed it plain ly, so drawing disapproval from Mrs
 Nane who sat in stony silence glar-
 ing at him, except when she answer
 ed some pointedly addressed remark of Marcias.
 Remember. Marcia, not one cenf
 for new furnishings" John whispered
 as he left her. She had insisted tha
 he walk to the new apartment witt
 them. and she was measuring thu
 windows.
 John had to admit although he dis , it grudgingly. that the apartment wal
 attractive. It was. as Marcia ha'
 said, sunny. the rooms large. But h. could see nothing clearly, because o
 the rent which loomed large befor him: $l,S00 a year. and-oh, well Marcia was very sweet at times ! Other men would probably have mar ried her and given her more if h
 hadn't carried her off. He would finl l some way out. If only he could per l suade her to do without a car the s would get along nicely even with tn 1 higher rent.
 Q He sighed as he thought of the bill { for the coupe that he had that morn f ing received.
 h You are terribly late, We are | ,. have guests tonight Do hurry an
 dressi" Marcia greeted John whe e he reached home. What in tn k world made you so late?" . Marcia smiled when John told he e he had arranged to do more extr t work. Whe- 1: had been offered | s him he felt Le could not refuse, a
 it meant several hundred dollars. t How providential." she said az II provingly. You see. everything al 2 ways comes out all right. Now yo !. can't scold me because the apart e ment costs little more than this on O If only you wouldn't worry owe - things we must have and do have 1 Q be just decent Things seem to al
 ways come our way"
 Not one word about Johns doin - too much, no fear that he hadn't th
 strength to take on more work. An = while he felt rather hurt he hadn = the heart to say anything. Yet b
 must not let her believe that extr
 money would give her the right |
 make further expenditure. | 'Yes, dear. it is providential. Sine your mothe- has been here and W have been so gay, I have been oblige