The Idaho recorder. [volume] (Salmon City, Idaho) 1886-1927, 1922-07-07
CLOTHES
By HAZEL r. LANGOtLE

1bIfA ttl lllt lIIiSNrIil' ~ 49,
reading slip TO the floor as he reached
for hi, tobacco to I'LL his pipe. Then
he GAGGED at the clock and put his
uouch back in his pocket, unopened
Stretching his arms above his mead, he
yawned.
Gosh, Jenny. guess III turn in. I'VE
had sort of Il hard day at the shop anu
its later than thought. You mindF
His wife over her basket of mend
ing. shook an Indifferent head. Might,
Henry. Don't forget to wind the clock
ard set the alarm. III finish here and
then read spell to rest me.
Silence settled on the Champion
household-a silence that lasted long
after Jenny had placed skillful patch
on a worn tablecIoth, had darned sew
eral pairs of Henry's socks, and had
read her spell in Henry's discarded
magazine.
For as she picked up the book
where it lay open on the floor beside
her husbands chair, glaring title
caught her eye: Have you kept your
husbands l0ve?" Powerfully as
| spoken accusation, 1t rivetted and chal-
lenged her attention. and she read
| the indictment which followed with
breathless fascination. Then. when she
| had finished the articles she laid 1t
down with a deeply indrawn sigh.
Why, that writer had drawn Henry
and her, For wasn't Henry getting I'M
romanticaly on in years, and wasn't
she middle-aged and run-dOwnat- heel
and unattractive? And hadn't Henry
| long ago gotten over showing any or
those intimate little signs Of affection
which women prize? The occasional
tender word-the kiss at the door be-
fore going away In the morning-the
comradely pat on the shoulder now
and again?
And there was aa warning tackled on
at the end of the article. BE care
full" 1t read, that your husband, In
sort of second youth, doesn't look
for his happiness elsewhere. If he
shows signs of sprucing up himself,
unmindful Of your appearance, be-
ware!"
Absent-mindedly she followed In
Henry's footsteps. making sure that
doors were locked and bOlted. Then she
climbed the stair and crept into bed.
| only to lie there for many wakeful,
planning hours.
The next day she experienced a
sharp and sudden pane when Henry
left the house without even saying
good-by.
Late that afternoon, bundle-laden,
weary. yet withal exhilarated, Jenny
returned from the city. Her feet
dragged a bit, but in her eyes was the
light of-was Il battle or merely fem
mime anticipation? Shut In her bed
room, she unwrapped her purchases
and spread them upon the bed. Then
she did various things to her hair
dabbed a bit Of powder on her nose.
put polish on finger nails that had
been recently manicured, and, finally.
she arrayed herself from head to foot
in attire that was brand new, rather
expensive, and extremely up-to-date.
AS she waited for her husband on
the little porch the minutes passed
slowly. One suburban car after an
other stopped at the corner and dis
gorged its passengers. Still no Henry.
Arrived an in-between rush-hour car
which let out only two women and
man in gray. Jenny bit her lip
nervously. This was even later than
usual, Why-why-that man in gray
was stopping at the gate. He had
swung 1t open-was coming up the
path Why. 1t was-Henry!
Yes 1t was Henry in new gray
suit, new hat, new shoes. And even
new lift to his walk. a new set to his
shoulders Jaunty. almost. Yet his ex-
preston was that Of man who has
been caught red-handed in crime. 1t
set badly with his air of rejuvena-
tion.
Suddenly that expression changed.
Amusement. bewilderment, incredulity
chased one another across his counte-
nance. Jenny felt impelled to explana-
ton. Then she would demand the
same from him.
II read an article" she said. lust
bit detiantly, about keeping your
looks to prolong your husbands love.
But you, oh, Henry what made you?" |
Henry drew her gently into the hall |
within, his arm eXerting tender pres |
sure. why, Jenny dear" he said. II
read that same article and decided |
that what's sauce for the goose you
know, is sauce for the gandern"
Henry" Jenny's voice fairly sang
the word. Wasn't it odd that we
both,
III sure was" interrupted her hus-
band, hastily. ut sure was"
But considering that Henry had
taken pains to drop his magazine open
at that particular spot, perhaps 1t was.
NJ so very odd, after all.