Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1922-05-19
Jirn's Cousin
Annie
By CLARA DELAFIELD

copyright 1877, western Newspaper Union.
1--we only got one thing to ask you"
said Myru Ray to her husband. "Since
your Cousin Annie has insisted on
fastening herself on US for a week.
please don't let her see what a fiend
you are to me-"
"All right. if you'll try not to
wrangle with me every instant of the
day." answered her husband, jim.
From which it may be inferred that
the married life of the Rays was not
devoid of priekles.
As a matter OF fact, they were fond
of each other. But the second year of
marriage is the one that requires the
most careful adjustment. And some
sometimes both were unequal
to it.
Cousin Annie had lived in the West
for years Jim remembered her only
as little thing with whom he used to
fiirt ON the way to school. He did not
tell Myra this, but when Cousin Annie
arrived, with her blue eyes and blonde
curls, she feared the worst.
1t was not long before Cousin Annie
discovered how the land lay. Jim had
quarreled with his food that morning.
The grapefruit was too thick, and the
coffee was too thin. He flung out of
the house, storming. Myra let her tears
flow.
I'm ashamed for you to see the way
he treats me, Annie" she said, but
now you know the worst. And to
think have to face a whole life with
him!"
"Not necessarily" said Cousin An
ME, shaking her blonde curls.
''What do you mean, Annie?"
Cousin Annie laid a hand on her
shoulder. you poor thingr' she said.
Don't you see that Jim Ray is impos-
sible simply impossible to live with?
No woman could stand for such a man.
Why don't you get divorce?'
"a divorce?' gasped Myra, and the
tears flowed afresh. Tim always
hoping that he'll grow kinder to me-"
Cousin Annie said nothing more
Myra was sorry she had taken such
violent dislike to Jim. She would
hardly speak to him, and If Jim liked
her, he kept it to himself pretty well.
Myra, always on the watch, could dis
cover no signs of secret passion.
Still, Jim and Myra did meet-at
times. When Myra had a headache
one afternoon, Cousin Annie went to
the village to do her shopping. She
met Jim on his way home, and they
walked up the hill together.
"Poor Jim!" said Cousin Annie, lay
ing her hand upon his sleeve. ooh,
think you're one of the noblest men
I've ever metl But there, l shouldn't
have said so much. Forgive mel'
go on and tell me why" said Jim
in a hollow voice.
''DO you think l haven't eyes?" de-
manded Cousin Annie "Oh, it's mon
strous to have to face long life with
one who is not kindred soul. Jim,
forgive me for being so frank!
''What am to do%' asked Jim.
Cant you stand it?"
"No!" Numbered Jim. eve reached
the end of my tether. She told me this
morning that was the most useless
man about the house she'd ever known.
Man about the house, indeed"
II think" said Cousin Annie, "that
when two people can't agree. they are
better off separate. Oh, Jim, if only
you had chosen more wisely. Do you
remember-?'
Eyes, can't forget it," said Jim.
There was no need to explain. 1t
referred to a certain moonlight night
years before, stars, hammocks. hands
waists and lips. 1t was not important.
They had reached the grounds. Cou-
sin Annie deliberately stood on tiptoe
and pressed her lips to Jim's.
That's what I think of you" she
said.
The woman at the upstairs window,
who saw the little episode, fell back in |
her chair. Her worst suspicious were |
verified. At that moment she knew |
that Jim was everything in life to her.
Jim, going to his wifes bedroom. |
found her half swooning. He kneeled !
beside her, his heart burning with re-
morse. He had never really cared for
Cousin Annie. He thought she had
acted slyly. The touch Of her lips had
been detestable.
Darling, what is it2" he cried.
i saw her kiss you, Jim. It's all
over now. Leave me! Tomorrow I'll
go back to mothers"
1t took an hour to convince Mvra
that Cousin Annie was anathaua 70
Jim. Then Myra's anger burst its
bounds
she wanted me to get a divorce,
Jim," she cried, "She's the wickedest
most treacherous woman I've ever
known. She pretended it was because
you treated me so badly, and all the
while she wanted you I'm going down
to have it out with her-darling."
IN come too, sweetheart" said