The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-01-15
The Woman
He Married
BY JANE PHELPS
A BOX AT THE THEATER.
CHAPTER AZ.


I've BEEN given tickets for the
theater tonight" Dick phoned in
from the office. VIII you and
| mother meet me down town or shall
I go homer"
you'd better come home. I have
be so good tomorrow"
"All right! I'll be early They
are dandy seats. Tell mother to get
ready before dinner. I know her Of
Old, 1t takes her ages to dress"
Someone has give Dick tickets
for the theater tonight" I told Mother
Williams. He says for us to dress
before dinner. 1 will get all ready
but my dress. We have quite a way
to go so we will have to ieave in good
season."
I called Mrs. Dolly up and she
agreed to run in and clear away the
| dinner things after Junior was in bed.
You are sure she is honest? ?"
mother asked.
LAS honest as I ami" I returned.
was born"
$50 many people think it incense
quential to take food, and one must
look out for small Ieakages."
I turned impatiently away. I was
tired of hearing about economy.
When Dick came in she was dressed
in her best, which was very nice
indeed. Agnes saw to it that her
mother was always we'll dressed.
was ready all but my dress, and was
dishing up the dinner in a bungalow
apron.
''our hair looks wonderful, Man,"
Dick remarked.
IT took extra pains as I will wear
no hat"
That's up to you. Our seats are
in box. You can suit yourself
mother, as to wearing a hat or not -
I'm box? What swells we are."
I laughed.
ri tell the world we are. for one
night at least. Mr.. Ogden bought
them, but his famil. cannot attend.
I He said he might drop in on US dur
ing the evening-perhaps> see the
| whole show"
1 was so glad I had a decent gown
to wear, and after dinner I hurried
! followed me into my room to rear
range her hair which Junior had
unused trifle. <
What a beautiful gown! I don't
recall that you had it when you visited
u.s. she said looking at me sharply.
/ NO, it is rather new"
| 1t looks very expensive, Nan. Too
much SO for Dicks wife to wear
| I made no reply but was SO angry ]
wanted to scream. Then, too, Dick ap-
| peared in the door just then and
asked:
What's that you said, mother?
heard my name"
| 81 told Nan that dress was alto
gether too expensive looking for your
wife to wear. know what clothes
cost nowadays"
| Nothing is too good for Nan. ]
only wish I could give her more OF
this worlds goods" but I noticed the
frown on his face, always indicative OF
annoyance, and was sure he had been
impressed by what his mother had
said. Most ready dear?'' he added
| Then when I told him I would be out
in moment he left us.
| "Dick is apt to be foolish at time
| But, Nan, it is neither honest, nor is
your means. ! don't mean to criticiSe
but dress as expensive as that should
not be worn by the wife of man who
earns small salary. 1t makes people
wonder where he gets the money"
| I had hard work to keep still, but
did. If / disliked my mother-in-laH
before, hated her now. I had antici-
pated such a nice evening, and she had
spoiled it for me.
Dick noticed. and whispered:
you mustn't mind what mother
said. She's a bit fussy about such
things, and-it does look rather swell
for poor mans wife,
| I suppose might have changed and
worn my old dress to please Mother
Williams, but 1 had no such thought
That wasn't the only pretty gown
INTENDED to have, and wear. They
might as well understand it first as
llasti
| Mr.. Ogden. one of the firm fol
| which Dick worked, was in the
box when we arrived. Dick presented
him to his mother, then to me. He
was a very handsome, well-groomeo
man, and I was delighted that we
made a presentable appearance-more
than pleased when I heard him tel
Dick that I was a very beautiful wo-
man. 1 was sure he would not have
said that had I worn my old suit.
| J,a