Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1922-10-07
THE BLUE BOWL.
A Short Story.
by LILY WANDEL.
Copyright. 1922, by Mcclure Newspaper
Syndicate.

that she did not At in and last and
most OF all that Kitty. Jim's wife,
was of a different social class. Kitty
with her expansive bosom, bad gram
mar. loud voice and booming laugh,
had dragged Jim down to her level
The whole neighborhosd was akin TO
Kitty and the house and children be-
longed specifically to her. The green
and red rope portieres and Powered
carpet ted that.
| Even the warm spring sunshine
failed to penetrate that numb feel
Ing of despair that settled on Iris as
she lay, pale and weak, bundled up
In an old steamer chair In the back
yard. 1t would be months before she
would he strong enough TO go away
and earn her living again, many
months, and perhaps she would never
he able to fiji her old position again.
She had no money, no home. except
this of Kitty's. Iris could not call 1t
Jim's.
To have come for week end visit
the very first since jim had married,
to be taken violently Ill, TO lie weeks
and green wall paper-that had been
her fate. She congratulated herself
that she had been able to keep Jim
from knowing, knowing how, she
longed to get away. how everything
most of all Kitty. had made her feel
out of place. desperately unhappy.
DIR. Bowen had understood. That
had been the one crumb of comfort
an embarrassing crumb. that was de
MED her now. fer old DIR. Wells was
back again and his young assistant
was released from the case.
Iris stirred restlessly under Jim's
old steamer rug that Kitty had
tucked around her. Why did DIR.
Bowen's not coming affect her 80
much? Was Il because he was the
only link to the other world, her
world cf so-called nice people and
refinement. that was left her? Even
in her position In tho city there had
been a constant struggle to keep
above the surging mass that seemed
almost to sweep her off her feet
and with them--a constant prac-
ticlng of self control. not to enjoy
their company. rather to be lonely
at times than lose her footing in tho
certain circle TO which her family
had always belonged Jim hat
stepped off that rung In the socia
ladder when he married Kitty, anC
lazily enjoyed the security and i'm
: portance OF his new position.
kitty. red-faced. came from tn
~. la. at -
wet clothes and Iris hastily CLOSED
, her eyes to avoid talking. She shiv
= cred when Kitty's booming voice
5 rent the air in conversation with
l ncighbcr. crushed her fingers IN tn
, palms OF her hands when her nam'
t was mentioned. her physical condition
= discussed.
n she's asleep over there" Kitty call
n ed In a hoarse stage whisper. "lookir
mighty peaked, What she needs
cheerin' up. Sam, She's too down
hearted, never talliin.' Wait till
get this wash done. I'm going TO bak
some lemon pies thatT make a
undertaken smile" And her lou
laugh made Iris cringe. What woul
1 this discriminating Kitty tell SaI
/ Moore next, this man who was ever
lastinGly leaning over the fence talb
ing with Jim or Kitty?
Something made her open her eye
DR.. Bowen was coming across III
lawn. Her heart began to pound an
she was suddenly painfully cor
scious of the wretched bathrobe Kit
" had enveloped her in and OF Jim
y old cap Kitty had pressed on he
:, head. She heard him explain 10 Kit
that he had just dropped in III
. professionally TO see how Miss Lon
was progressing and fairly writhe
when kittYs voice responded hear
: ny, Just the thing; so cheer her u
!. doctor, there's a camp chair. an
!, make her laugh, that's what ST
needs"
- He came over 10 the convalescen
- drew the camp chair close 10 h
- steamer chair.
, You are not getting well a. IA
=. as you might" he was saying in 10
= grave tones. Somewhere else al
other environment more suited
YOU" he ventured and stopped.
1T is impossible" she answer,
quickly and then blushed. "you mu
have realized that l am penniless
that"
With a swift movement he caug
her hand, cold trembling one. ''Ir
noticed everything. l know no
be all ths''-he touched the old rug al
lis nodded toward the Tapping clothes
IL is repugnant TO you. how that yo
Sister-in-law reacts on your nervo
pm system. 1ris, Didn't you feel IN
rn understood? That l knew you b
he longed in q different place amor
ne different people? Dear. il hurts r
re 10 see you in that old cap just
by il makes me wretched 10 think OF tn
ed Kitty administering 10 your neet
al. Iris, let me take you away.
W. mothers home is beautiful. OF SUI
ny lavishness and luxuries that you "
lal realize only when you are there VIII
a a hovel this has been. Iris, look
me. you do care for me, do you? Y
ad will get well at mothers and then
Of will be married. You will forget
-er this. You belong in the environme
ed | can give you. Dear. tomorrow
ID your birthday, is II not? Let me Sc
as you as my gift 10 you a few thin
,at that will make it possible for you
1st come and then in a day or two l v
es. take you. in my car. Iris. ] love you
N Her blue eyes opened wide. h
er- with delight and rapture. half W
ISIS modification. He spoke long tir
III but in the end she told him that S
We must consider. She wanted da
ak grace. Then she would give him !
answer.
1t was her birthday. Kitty gave
ed a vivid. lowered kimono and two 81
-to Stantial muslin uightdresses. and j