The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1922-11-16
THE VEGETARIAN
BY GRACE w. ABBOTT
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES

James Clifford ran up the steps Of
his porch with an agility new to him.
He was thirty, still slim, yet inclined
to laziness. His pretty wife regarded
him wonderingly from her chair by the
tea table.
well James What's your hurry?
lie bent and kissed her with unusual
fervor. How are you, dearest? Have
a good day? Want to go to the beach
tonight and do the roller coasters?"
Eva Clifford sprang to her feet,
throwing off her husbands arms.
James What on earth ails you?"
He led the way indoors, where once
again he took his astonished wife in
his arms.
Nothing ails me, honey. Why don't
you kiss me the way you used to when
we were engaged?"
He tilted her chin, and laughed at
the concern in her eyes, but gave no
explanation for his extraordinary be-
bavior. Eva went to the kitchen with
instructions to Ellen, and then re-
turned to the dining room, gazing at
her husband anxiously. He was romp-,
ing with Fittz, her little white dog,
that hitherto he had scorned to touch.
Ellen announced dinner, and the two
sat down to tempting meal. James
helped his wife carefully, and then
placed upon his own plate some peas
and baked potatoes.
James,"
swell, dear?"
Aren't you going to have any
lamb?" Co.,.
mo, dear"
"Why not, pray?"
"Well, Eva, if you must have 1t,
your husband is from now on vege-
tarian."
"James!"
Eyes, my dear. l interviewed three
doctors regarding 1t, and am taking
their advice to totally abstain from all
meat" "
Eva stared at her husband.
well, Eva, don't look so! Haven't
you noticed how full of life am-how
buoyant?"
"Yes."
"Well, then-don't you like to have
me like that?"
II suppose So"
"Of course you do. Hurry with your
dinner, now, and we'll 60 to the
beach,"
The days that followed were night
mares for Eva. In vain she planned to
have tempting meals-it was distinctly
hard when the item of meat was en-
tirely forbidden.
One perfect September day found
Eva very hungry for something good"
She knew James liking for chicken,
and so she decided to tempt him once
more. She dismissed Ellen, donning
a big apron, and tackled the supper
herself. Six-thirty brought James, hot
and tired, and simmer than ever. She
noticed with concern the dark rings
under his eyes. Something must be
done.
"Come, wash up for supper, dear
we are alone tonight"
'Don't want any support" he num-
bled, and left the room.
Eva sat for moment motionless,
and then, without touching a mouth
full, carried the food back to the kitch.
en- and carefully placed it in the oven
to keep warm. Then she Joined her
husband. He didn't care to talk. She
played softly and sang to him. He
growled savagely and declared he was
going to bed.
For two hours she remained wide
awake, but at last her vigil was re-
warded. James stirred softly, raised
himself on his elbow and peered Into
her face. Then, apparently satisfied
that she was sound asleep, he crept
out and left the room.
Eva heard him 60 down stairs, his
slippers Tapping. Quietly she followed
him and found him peering into the
ice-box, only to be disappointed. After
ten minutes searching, he found the
still warm supper in the oven.
Greedily he tore a leg from the
chicken and bit into it. Eva could wait
no longer but went out from her hid
ing place behind the door and con-
fronted him.
flames, you infant!" she cried, with
lust a hint Of tears in her voice.
"Well, Eva, I was so beastly hun
gry!' he mumbled shamefacedly, his
mouth full.
81 know it, dear, but you might at
least give me some. haven't had any
support"
"No support" exclaimed her hus-
band. "Why not, pray?"
Il waited for you, DEAR" she re-
piled, drawing chair up to the kitch'
en- table. "Hustle, now, and give me
some of those potatoes. I'm starved!
"How in tunket did you know"
II didn't, dear, but hoped"
James laid down his chicken leg and
wiped his greasy face. Eva, you're a
nice old thing, amt your" and he
Rugged her shamelessly, in spite of the
raised curtains and possibly spying
neighbors.
doctors are all right" he declared