The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1921-08-25
LOVE AND THEORY
BY JOSEPHINE S. BROOKS.

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&C 1921. ~ Mcclure Ne"spap Per SYNDICATE.
Ellen went singing around tht
house. happy TO Toll for love of hei
dear ones. She felt that nothing
mattered if they all remained we'll
How thankful she ought TO be foi
these blessings.
Her song. rising clearer this sunny
morning, Was cut short by the ring
of the doorbell. Ellen Smoothed her
hair. cast aside her work apron. ana
then FASTENED TO the door.
Il heard you singing and don't
see how YOU do it, said Elsie Smith.
the caller.
DO what. ElsieE' asked the hostess
in surprise.
Why. be so cheerful and happy in
such
In so humble a homer supplied
Ellen.
We'll, that WAS my thought-then |
mean your work. You do work haTd,
Ellen. and you can't deny il. And for
what? No one gives you any credit
Credit, Elsie? No true wife does
IL lOl Iiis1ls bhl Jul u NV"
Love is all very well for while,
bur year after year. 10 go without
rest. with no vacations. is unjust. I'll
never marry man who makes me
work all the time"
Ellen stood silent. She wondered if
her face had lines in il like this
friends of thirty-fve birthdays.
ooh. Ellen" The young woman
clapped her hands Il have a plan
Let your husband do your work for
one day and I'll wager your trying
times viii end"
You think il over. Ellen tempted
Elsie. and see if I'm not right. I'm
studying these subjects, and L know
what I'm talking about. Assert your
self. Good-by."
The young wife's song had ceased.
The sun shone less brightly and her
task now seemed heavier. AS the
hours passed bitter thoughts grew and
magnified.
Come 10 think Of it, Johns kisses
of late have been hasty, with $40
earnestHeSs in them. Is his love
weakening? He seems 10 take my
many cares as a matter of course;
also my attentions to himself. Once
he thanked me; now he is always in
IA rush.
Ellen left her work and sat down
by the table, hand on chin. Soon she
rose.
I'm do it," she whispered. III
go-let's see. it's Saturday; ri 90
tomorrow after John and Rodney
start for their walk. I'll leave note
saying that l must have a vacation
of few days"
Ellen imagined, when on her way to
Cousin James, how amazed John and
their boy must be as they read her
note.
She laughed as the picture of him
tugging at the big pile of washing,
blankets and all, arose. Perhaps he
would revolt.
Ellen's thoughts were not all joy
Gus. as she swung next day in the
hammock beneath her cousins elm
tree. She had missed the "hasty kiss"
that morning.
In the morning a very determined
woman faced her cousin.
'T can't stand it another minute,
Alma" declared Ellen.
AS the wife neared her journeys
end. she breathed: After all, home
looks good. There's no sign of life.
No doubt John and Rod are at work"
Ellen entered the hall, where a
her. She passed into the dining room.
then went on TO the Kitchen. A noise
startled her. She opened the door.
and paused on the threshold.
Washing dishes, mother" the boy
answered. as if diSh-washing were an
ordinary task.
Father has been-phew," came
from Rodney, as he nearly let fall a
cup.
Without waiting for the boys an
Swer the mother dashed into the bed
room, where upon the bed lay her
John.
John. John" she sobbed. I'll new
er leave you again" Then out came
the whole story shes wrong utter
ly wrong" she snapped. Its love,
not theory, that counts. What hap
pened, dear?"
She fell by the bedside and began
kissing the hand that hung down.
1T was washing" feebly answered
J Ohm, with close-shut eyes. As Ellen
bent over him his eyes Enclosed and
mischievous light shone in them.
u scalded my foot from the boiler
water stopping OF it, so Rodney had
to leave his work and do the house
keeping"
and all this evil came about
through my-my sin she cried. u
was trying 10 prove Elsie's theory"
I've had my lesson. and it has done
me good. dear wife. for was becom-
ing thOughtless. Such washings They