The Mt. Sterling advocate., 1922-01-17
END or PERFECT DAY
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~ GERTRUDE CUSHING.

- - -" f-f"r" - = -AfAN"""N - y ~
fectly inoffensive. hsssszsFd- bound
calf. the while horizontal umbrells
finds sudden resting place in the
small Of his back. without retaliation
you may know you've. come across 9
pretty good sort Of chap.
Morton Godfrey not only failed "a
retaliate--he kept on whistling; per.
haps in way that was a sort Of
retaliation, for he had no respect for
key or tempo. when he reached the
fifth note with a sweeping intake Of
breath II was a little melancholy. |
viii say. But had you known what
the last twenty-four hours had offered
him your hat would have been on to
his cheerful irony. A perfect day
Gosh. what dayF he soto voced as
he lodged the swinging boots of bun
died child and plunged into his car.
The trouble began at about midnight
the night before. when the thermome-
ter dropped 20 degrees. and was car
ried forward by the absence OF the
chore man and the failure Of Morton's
alarm clock to "go on" A hastily
opened egg. which had boiled one min
ute instead Of six as ordered, precipi-
tated catastrophe A rapid fire conver-
sation with his soul mate. In which he
suggested a destination for the new
cook which did not conform to her
ideas Of gentleman's vocabu-
larry tand which met with the response
that the new pastry shop served a
very good breakfast), led to rather
hasty exit minus the customary kiss.
This hurt. and Morton's first act upon
reaching the Office had been to call up
the house The bone Of contention.
with a brogue that had a multitude Of
good consonants, told him his wife had
already left for town. Movies, Ofm
thinkint" the brogue said. and that
hurt more.
II he had known that Nettie went to
town because she was too unhappy TO
stay at home il would have been salve
to his wounded conscience. but be
didn't know II. and at intervals through
the long and tortuous day he con-
cocted little plans for his return at
night which should at once and per
manently dispel the cloud hanging
aloft and bring Nettie-a little con
tritely-to his arms.
At I O'Clock he called the house
again. Nettie had not returned and the
complexion Of his thoughts changed
bit. This was something new. In
deed. There was quite touch of
irony in his choice of tune.
Seated in the car. he opened the pa
per to the page Of theatrical announce
ments. OF course II was, nonsense. but
II Nettie was not at home when he
reached there he believed that he
would go back to the city and see some
good show.
He had worked himself up to quite
dramatic mood when he became con
scious that the car was at stand
still. He turned to the window for
idle contemplation of the figures at the
station. Idle for but a moment.
however. Standing at the newsstand
a woman's form caught his eve. She
was short and plump, he judged, for
the ankle generously displayed had a
curved outline. Her arm
showed round. too. in the tight coat
sleeve, Her skirt was OF a length
which he had to admit he had often
scathingly condemned in talks with
Nettie and her heels were-yes. they
certainly were absurdly high. But
with II all there was an allure about
her, "je ne sails quol" that could
not be denied. Perkiest little hat he
had seen for one while and some
thing about the cant Of her head that
suggested everything his present re
bellious fancy demanded. If her face
lived up 70 the glimpse. he was.
vouchsafed she must be a winner"
hat was all.
Why not find outf
Morton sprang to the door and watch
In hand made so convincing an appeal
that the stern guardian of the portals
swung the lever and he jumped to the
platform At the same instant the
sharp clang OF the gong startled the
woman at the newsstand. She turned
swiftly and Morton found himself
expectantly into the face Of
his own wife.
The story In his eyes was one any
woman could read and not knowing
anything about the fascinating vision
which had inspired II. she blushed
brightly and sparkled at him quite a.
he had hoped the vision might.
~what on earth are you dong at
this station at this timer she asked
~Ohi don't know. l thought might
meet you"
How dSf you recognize me 90
quickly from behind7"
Il knew your hat" he lied juantlly.
'-rhat's Just what was thinking of.
I only bought II about two hours ago.
That's certainly one on you"
Here's our car. Come aIOngl" he
countered. and sliding his hand into
her arm. he skipped with her down
me crowded platform.
As they entered thair own do,r