Omaha daily bee., 1922-04-23
Those Lonesome Young Brides!
They Fit Home, and They
Fit Back, Until Friend
Husband Is Distracted.


feet day. but that experience was not unusual
Only siA weeks ago life had given nilly Hlskss
spirits a permanent wave, Ia another moment
he would hear on the other side OF the door the
little rush with which his bride invariably pre-
Cpitatsd herself in his direction when she heard
the sound OF the turning key. lie knew that for
half an hour or more she had been sitting in
their small living room listening for that sound.
Il was as he had expected, There wAs the
soft rush. tho opening Of the door from within
by jerk 10 swift that u carried the latch key
out OF his hand. and, In the next moment his
wfo in his arms, her cheek against his. All
this was the usual program. but never once had
Rily's singing heart missed its realization OF the
wonder and tho glory OF the miracle.
Tonight. however. there was a new quality In
his wifes embrhce--a quality 80 subtle that =
bridegroom with less perception might easily
have failed 20 detect H. II was merely that
sho clung TO him trins longer. a trine more
closely than usual, Also. he now observed. she
did not speak. This odd. Usually she burst
into words at the FIRST sight OF him--sometimes.
indeed. before the door opened.
lie was disturbed by her momen,ary silence
and by that new quality In her touch. II was
almost as II she had been frightened by some
thing; as II she had flown to him az q refuge
even more than n loser. But already she
was speaking as shc led the way into the immacu
lato freshness and quiet beauty OF their home.
In which each article offered testimony TO the
admirable tnsic OF Its occupants. ..
Tho discovery OF this similarity In taste. by
the way had been another OF Bily's MIRACLES.
Ruths taste and his own were In such perfect
Accord lie had not dared TO hope for this In
the small town girl he had met and loved. and
wooed and won and carried back to New York.
all within two months. He was thoughtful
youth.
He knew that post -nuptial revelation OF
tastes and characteristics were inevitable. lie
had expected TO make all sorts OF readJustmcnts.
But from the first he and Ruth had seen with
the same eyes Not always with his eyes, to be
sure. Sometimes with Ruth's. Already she
had taught him many things. Already he was
beginning to smile over the memory Of the
careful thought and philosophy with which he
had entered upon the married state He knew
that many charming girls were immaculate
about themselves and hopelessly untidy as to
their belongings. He knew that many loathed
domestic duties. that many were extravagant,
and that few. indeed revealed these falings be-
fore marriage.
He had been prepared for flaws even In his
Ruth and had humbly reminded himself that.
whatever they were. he could match them with
imperfections OF his own. But already his Ruth
had proved a born housekeeper and home max
er, a born comrade; in short. the ideal mate the
whole world held for him. Each day Of their
six weeks together had revealed in her new
aptitudes. new charms. The tact. the UNDER
standing the philosophy with which he had ex-
pected to meet the hazards of married life still
lurked in him untested. Only that morning he
had solemnly addressed Ruth across their
breakfast table.
Ruth" he said, I'm happy I'm actually
getting scared. What have l done to deserve
such paragon Of a wife? I'm horribly afraid
that some day you'll find out what an ordinary
chap you've drawn and then you'll"
She had not let him finish the sentence. She
had merely smiled wise, almost maternal
dittle smile, and leaned across the tiny table
ana kissed him. He had gone off to his work
with a new resolution in his heart
I'm not worth her." he told himself again.
"but, by Jove, I'm going to bet
Now, as they entered the living room, his
arm closely around her. he bent to look into
her face, and what he saw there brought him
upright with jerk.
Good Lord!' he gasped in Mortified incredu-
lity. -Why. Ruth. you've been crying! What
is 1t? what's the matter?"
She tried to laugh. but gulped instead.
Nothing" she said. Nothing. Pm-Im
fool. that's all"
Billy dropped into his pet arm chair which
was big enough. for two, and firmly drew her
into his lap. He was alarmed, but he kept his
head
"Now," he said quietly. 'I want to hear all
about 1.-THE whole story. Tell me exactly what
has happened"
Nothing has happened-and there isn't any
story" His bride groped for her handkerchief
and. failing to find 1t. took his from his breast
pocket. wiped her eyes with 1t, and shifted dole
fully Before this unbelievable phenomenon the
young husband aghast.
Darling" he spoke urgently. you're max
ing me horribly anxious Please tell me why
you have been crying
Tim ashamed to-"
Ruth buried her face in his breast and
guped again.
..It's SO silly" she ended dlsmally II know
it's silly. You'll laugh at me-or worse still,
you'll be disappointed in me-"
Ruth, please tell me what all this is about
tome she raised her head and looked
into his eyes. What she saw there brought a
rush of contrton.
II will" she said quickly "and you'll see
how absurd 1t is. It's only that-that-well for
several days I've been feeling queer. I didn't
understand what it meant till today. Then.
suddenly, at 4 o'clock, IL went all to pieces ]
broke down and cried for an hour
But why?" demanded the bridegroom.
"Why?"
II didn't quite understand, myself. at first,
Ruth gulped. You know how happy l am
and how wouldn't have single thing changed
But-while was crying, all could see was our
home and-and mother-and Elsie. Billy. I
hate to confess 1t, but-I'm so homesick I'm al
most desperate!"
Billys arms frightened around her, but he
did not speak. Her words rushed on, as II, hav-
ing begun, she could not stop them.
ut seems so idiotic, when I'm so happy, and
adore you and l love apartment and
everything in it. And this is where belong.
and where want to belong. But 1t seems as II
Iii die if don't see my own home-I mean"
she hurriedy corrected herself, my OLD nome
and mother and Elsie!"
Carefully so as not to disturb her, Billy
slipped his hand into his pocket drew out his
watch. and looked at it.
There's train that leaves for Boydenville
at s o'clock tonight" he said quietly. IT'S only
6 now so we can make it easily, and be with
your mother by tomorrow morning Tomorrow
is Saturday. you see. so can stay with you till