Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1922-12-02

by TO ner before IedN1uS ZOE JHS CITY.
They had always gone together and
May had embroidered many dreams
into the dainty house linens that
were waiting in her lavender-scented
hope chest. A chance caller, linger-
ing on the piazza as train time drew
near, had prevented the saying of
the words that trembled on his ton
que and, although he longed to ask
her to walk down to the village sta
ton with him, he had hesitated be-
cause of the inevitable comment that
would follow such an action. II will
write to you, May, just as soon as
I get settled somewhere in the city,"
he had whispered as they said good
by under the observant eyes of the
guest, and May had flushed adorably
under his admiring eyes.
Now, however, Is he surveyed the
exquisitely dressed city girl, with
her soft blue eyes that were raised
appealingly to him, he no longer
regretted the caller who had out
stayed him. Rita was so different
from May. She was of helpless, low
able type, never quite sure of any,
thing, but always ready to lean upon
the nearest masculine arm. Her
pumps, with their high, wabbly
heels, rendered aid necessary at ev-
cry crossing. May wore smart, low
well polished. May was a notable
housewife and had taken the county
prize for her fine needlework.
81 never see you doing fancy
work." he said after a long silence.
He spoke more to have her raise
her soft blue eyes to him than
through any curiosity concerning
sewing.
"I'-She raised the sweeping light
lashes just as he thought she would
do-"do not like to sew. You see,
am always dreaming of other things,
and''-here she laughed a little-"I
usually prick my fingers" o.
He felt that her clinging, feminine
type was eminently desirable. After
all, man wants to cherish his wife,
and some of the capable girls, with
their sensible clothes and well-fur-
nished minds, were apt to set a fell
low right on subjects of public inter-
est, instead of leaning forward con-
fidentially and asking to have those
abstruse subjects explained. Idly
he lifted her soft, pink-tipped fin
grs. Across the knuckles of the
small right hand lay deep dimples,
and one knew that the owner of
such hand had never done any
work. Mustn't spoil those pretty
fingers by nasty pricks," he whisper
ed, then looked about him nervously.
Never before had he uttered such
idiotic words. But that was anoth-
er thing about Rita. One never had
to live up to her she demanded moth
ing but the shallowest of compli-
ments and plenty of bonbons. She
never, as May had done, rebuked
him for spending an exorbitant sum
on huge, beribboned box Of candy.
Indeed, her babyish blue eyes in
variably regarded the box anxiously,
and he usually felt that it was a
trifle smaller than she had hoped
for, although he had brought as
much as five pounds at time. That
was the trouble with May. Uncon-
sciously he constantly compared the
two girls-to Mays detriment. May
was always looking out for the flu
ture, while Rita never bothered her
fuzzy, bobbed head about anything
so tiresome.
"Now, Rita" her mother appeared
on the front steps and Walter hastily
shatched his hand away-"I have
left the table set for tea, and be
sure that you wash up the dishes.
Maggie is always provoked if she has
any extra work to do on Monday
morning"
Rita's light eyebrows drew to-
gether petulantly. 81 can't see the
use of paying a maid and then do
ing her work for her." she sulked.
"PWbably Walter will prefer to
take me to a summer garden, any;a
way. J like music with my tea"
T Walter aroused himself with a
jerk. The same little scene had
been enacted the week before, and
he had gone home with a depleted
purse. Rita was so childish about
the menu. Anything that had
high sounding name attracted her,
and she ordered lavishly, although
she scarcely tasted the dishes when
| they came. 81 believe you invited
me to tea,' he said, sumoning
bashful smile to cover his confu-
sion. "It will be lots OF fun to
wash up the dishes"
Ritas mother flashed an APPROX
ing glance at him, but the girl was
plainly perturbed. Il hope there is
something decent to eat" she re-
| torted.
There is the cold roast, but the
bread is all gone. Better stir up
some popovers,' she advised, and
Joined her husband, who had al;
ready descended the steps.
| How I detest housework," nsped
Rita later as she tied a ruffled pink
apron@ over her frilly 'organdie
frock. Mother just loves to get me
| into a scrape like this. She thinks
she'll shame me into learning how
to cook"
! Good gracious" Walter did not
derive his usual pleasure from the
lisp which Rita only brought out
when she intended to be decidedly
charming, don't you know how to
cook?"
Rita, dumping some unsifted flour
into a bowl, giggled. II am always
dreaming of other things she pratt
tied. when I marry" here the
long light lashes swept her very
pink cheeks modestly, Il intend to
live in, one of those wonderful no.