Evening star., 1921-11-25
ONE TOUCH OF TEMPER MAKES
ALL WOMEN KIN.

YHILE John Lindsay was con-
\N/ valescing from his accident
" he took q mean advantage
of his wife. She was SO
glad that he was alive she was will
ing to promise anything. What he
wanted was to play host to his en-
tire tribe.
They've lived upstate always. 1t
will mean the time Of their lives to
see New York.
Merriam planned things with the
upon the janitor to sublet an addi-
tional furnished apartment for her
guests rooms. By rank bribery she
extraordinary. to preside in the
| kitchen. She chartered q sight-see-
| ing schedule that was a marvel.
Like most New York apartments.
| the Lindsays' was shy Of closet space.
But it did boast a wide inclosure on
! ironing boards. bpooms, umbrellas
and other unornamenta1 necessities.
When the long-paneled doors of it
were closed the room looked distin-
guished: when they were opened
Merriam longed to lapse into pro-
family.
John Lindsay never remembered to
close those doors. Merriam shut them
three times every morning, five times
each evening and nineteen times per
day, Sundays and holidays. She
| thought it was . flaw in an otherwise
perfect husband. She was still too
young to realize that all husbands.
rich or poor, young or old, always
leave all closet doors open. Statis-
tics show only one man ever closed
q closet door. That man was Blue
beard.
The night before his family arrived
John kissed Merriam.
You're a peach to do this. You'll
think it's rotten Of me to say this.
but-well." he stammered. my folks
aren't half SO dear and sweet as
you. She's a perfect saint: been a
Sunday school superintendent for
years. I don't suppose she ever lost
"Rishto!" Merry gigsled. I'm on.
All right. TN be . lady II it. kilfS me.
I won't spill over once willie
relief was funny. But mother"
mo wonder you love mew Merry
closed the discussion.
But when they arrived Merriam de-
cfded John had rather maligned them.
cially her dapper little father in Jaw.
who was a droller. sweeter version Of
Johns inveterate teasing. The
girls" three unmarried women past
thirty, made a lump in Merry's throat.
Never any beaux." she summed up
Il must dig up some men somewhere"
The placid blond mother-in-law.
from whom John had inherited his
very good looks, was the thorn in
call her mother! Indefatigably good
hpmored; physically husky, the elder
museums and department. stores, her
three daughters following sweetly In
her trial. while the tired daughter
in-law, an emotional bundle Of acute
fatigue, dixxily led the way.
The last afternoon Merriam black
mailed lied her cousin ces!lly for : Euide.;;
TT will kill mel" despaired Ceoily.
i've been killed for week." Mer-
riam retorted. "That woman IL .
monster. I can't understand her!"
All that afternoon she toiled far
harder than her handmaid:
John. 'Tve oodles to do yet"
Whsn she explained that shs had
corraled = renowned clergyman and
his. his two yo,e equally sa,,. renowned bachelor
all three that win suit even mothsr!"
He was ready mono too soon. The
eminent divines appeared promptly
at Z. A distinguished group they
posed before the panelsd doors. Johns
blond head towering above the others.
Merriam ned for . last command 10 the
kitchen.
All unconscious Of the pious Wis
itors, the Lindsays neased the door
way. And the elder Mrs. Lindsay,
tired and hungry from Sightseeing.
that perfect saint who never lost her
temper. let her hitherto quiet tones
ring out in unmistakable anger.
John Lindsay! for heaven sakes
close those closet doors! It exasper-
ates me beyond all endurance, I've
told you ct least eighty thousahd
times. Oh, beg your pardon, I
didn't mean" Her trailing apology
melted Merrys hard heart.
Her vibrant young voice proclaimed
to all the world that thay ware low
ing allies.
Yes, You did 20 mean Il. mother,
dear!' she cried. And love You for
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