San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-09-16

And look at this" Marian's worn
slipper encircled n grease spot on the
rug.
Then she cooked in here"
"She wasn't supposed to-but she
did. Everything was brand new when
she moved inland just look at it
now"
Dropping on the unmade day-bed,
she gazed despairingly around the rub
bish-littered room, vacated that after
noon.
she's even burnt this with curling
IRON" Helen turned back the dresser
scarf. "Why did you let her stay
when you saw how she abused your
things"
"She owed me 80 much-I kept her,
hoping she'd pay. She still owes for
six weeks Just minute, I'll get
fresh linen for this bed"
Left alone, Helen gazed in. gnantly
at the nail holes around the dresser,
where photographs had been tackled
regardless of the dainty wall paper.
Why should Marian, so fine and
generous. always be imposed upon!
And she had put all her savings into
furnishing this apartment.
Did she do this too" discovering
q scorched mark on the sheet, as they
stripped the bed.
Eyes, cigarettes. She was always
smoking. Oh, / was foolish to Keep
her so long, but she kept promising to
pay up. / don't think she meant to be
dishonest - Just careless and ire
sponsible. When she left she promised
to send the money as soon as she
could. but I doubt If she ever will
II don't like to say L told you So,
Helen slipped the pillow into fresh
case. 'But both Warren and l Legged
Won not TO undertake this. While you
work in the office-you can't keep
roomers. You're away all day-you
can't look after things
"I've found that out hopelesSly.
.Its taken all the three hundred I'd
saved, and I'm afraid Ill have to give
ii I'D when my lease expires. Its been
an expensive experience-bu Oh, now
i wanted a home
Her hands trembled as she smoothed
and tucked in the under sheet.
Il was so tired of I ard houses.
| thought if / could just take this
four-room apartment and rent one room
/ could manage. But / haven't made
expenses. It's taken all my salary
and more.'
you've been unfortunate in your
roomer. You may get some one vet
some one nice" Helen tried to say it
hopefully.
II advertised every day asst week,
and only two women came. They both
said they liked the room-but ! never
heard from them. Oh, j can't give
this up." passionately. I've never
had a home of my own before. l love
this place, Every room gets the sun
II inst hours in here. And the kitchen
I'm crazy about the kitchen "
"a little more on this side" Helen
drew over the blanket. Yes, 1t IS
cunning Kitchen.
".And I love to cook. SUNDAY l had
n chicEen-it lasted three d-ys. And
banana cake--a recipe I'd never
tried. How | used to dread Sundays
at a boarding house, but. love it here
just pottering around and liking
thisgS," - ,,.
thought OF all the idle selfiS' women
who had homes and did not appreciate
them.
you ought TO have a real home
no. it's too long on this side, spread
ing the cretol.rc cover. And halt
dozen children. You were never in
tended for office work.
Il don't mind the days. it's the even
ings and Sundays" pushing the bed
against the wall. when l think OF
giving this up and going back to
boarding house," shudderingly. If
you knew the dreariness of a boarding
house Sunday"
Cant you get just two rooms and
q kitchenette and have it to yourself"
son $50 a week? / secured New
York and I couldn't find two rooms
under sixty month. That would
leave only sixty for gas, light, laun-
dry. food, clothes and everything. No,
If / have to give this up it'll mean
boarding houses for the rest OF 10y
lifeI I'd rather be dead. What's the
easiest, cleanest way?" with a wry
smile. Turn on the gas!" 49,,
you're getting morbid. foull
marry and have real home before
long ,,,.,...,-
allow am / to meet any one!' shaking
out the window a cloud of powder
from the dresser scarf. II work from
Q to 5 in a social service bureau where
there're only women. If I've met no
one in the last five years-do / stand
much chance nowF
"Don't think Of it that way" Helen
was helping her dust. Think OF all
the possibilities of New York. The
unexpected-what may happen just
round the corner"
"That's only in magazine stories.
There's nothing unexpected in my life
lust a dull drab grind. That's why
I wanted this apartment. To have a
home, a place 70 come TO at highland
Sundays"
She was taking out the soiled paper
that lined the drawers.
81 love to clean up and fuss around
I made all these curtains! That net
was only 80 cents o yard. And this
lamp shade-guess what it's made
off,"
Its lovely. That shade of old rose
gives such Il soft light"
San old silk petticost! l dyed it
with 10-cent dye and the frames from
the 10-cent store. 1t cost just 20
cents. And the one in my room vas
= georgette blouse. Oh. that makes me
snink--I must get my waists before
that Chinaman closest
Dropping her dust cloth, she threw
off her apron.
ITS just around the corner-won''
take me minute"
Helen. left alone, broodingly finished
I 60