Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1923-02-02
JoIE'S DEFENSE
BY MoLLIE MATHER
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES sSSS>SSSt<
ia. 1929. Western Newspaper Union-)


everything" said Joie discon-
solately. has some uncomfortable
feature to offset the good
(which means" Mrs. Warren asked
smillngly.
Josephine Ware looked up at her
friend.
(which means she returned, that
life since I met Bruce and loved MIN
mas been too beautiful to last. An"
now Helen Martin tells me that Bruce
has most exacting and sensitive
mother. Helen says she doesn't know
how he ever dared to become engaged
without first consulting his mother"
Joie was favorably impressed with
| her mother-in-lnw to be, On the nrst
occasion of their meeting. And Joie
too. In all her abrupt frankness, prom
Used to win the heart of the elder
woman. Bruce was proudly happy
and Mrs. Warren smiled satisfaction
Josephine is such an honest little
SOUL" she told the mother OF jose
phines fiance.
On her birthday Jole rejolced In the
gift with a personal touch that Mrs
| Gordon sent to her.
| at is as though she had known OF
my preference for dull blue" JOE
said to her lover. did you ever see
such lovely belt, Bruce7 Oriental.
Just the thing to wear with my new
house suit"
"PerhapA" Bruce suggested, "she
may have learned Of your preference
from me. And perhaps l may have
mentioned that modish little dress, as
WELL"
"You are both Of you dears!" said
JoIe. Tenderly she replaced the pretty
belt, In its tissue wrapplngs, and
closed the gift box. Then she went
forth to purchase birthday gift for
Lettie Warren. Lettie desired modest
ly, collar and cuff set for her
sweater. So Joie made her way to
Julia Webster's novelty shop. Miss
Webster was dealer In fine needle
work. Here, Joie knew. she would
be able to match Mrs. Warren's dainti-
ness The white linen set which she
selected had fine handmade edge In
keeping with her friends accustomed
taste. But because the simple gift
contrasted humbly with beautiful
necklace Mrs Warren had that morn
Ing sent to her. Joie felt called upon
to write line of greeting.
"Thls bit of linen and lace, may not
be called a gift, Lettie, dear" she
wrote accept 1t for the love that
goes with It."
Following events were 80 insidlous-
IL different that she could scarcely
realize what had happened Bruce.
openly as attentive as ever, was con-
strained and cold in her presence Mrs.
Gordon had gone home without call
ing or sending for Joie to bid her good
by. When she took her perplexitles
to Lettie Warren that young matron
was unusually grave. Il have bothered
about the situation myself, Joie," she
said. "And I really cannot under
stand Mrs. Gordon's attitude During
the latter part Of her visit she never
mentioned your name, while at first
she was happy In praise Of you. I
am so glad she said to me, that
Bruce has made such 4 pleasing
choice"
II suppose 1t is Just one Of the
unexpected traits OF character that
Helen warned me about" Joie de-
cided But why should Bruce follow
her example Of coldness? That he
disapproves Of me Is evident, and I
have no way of knowing the cause
When / question him he gives an
evasive reply. / believe" added I'M
happy Joie. shat shall relieve them
both by breaking the engagement"
That evening as Bruce came gravely
Into the living room Joe lifted white
and gold box from the table With re-
luctant fingers she drew from 1t the
blue and gold belt.
IL can't wear 1t Bruce" she child
ishly said, when Jour mother M
longer cares for me. 1t was lovely OF
her to send 1t, and I loved her for
her kindness. But now that she Ia no
longer kind"
Quietly Bruce Gordon ended the
broken sentence. Mother was dis |
appointed In you, Joie, and so I adj |
NIT, was l. But that will pass and we |
shall all be good friends again"
IT was Bruce now who ceased speak.
Ing abruptly. The tissue wrapplngs of
the box fell from Joie's hand to the
floor. On one tissue square lay fold |
OF linen and lace. Wonderingly. Joie
stopped to pick 1t up. Before them
was a collar and set. Che exact set
that Joie had purchased from Julia
Webster TO give 10 her friend. Con.
rusedly she explained this 60 Bruce.
me Hight that flashed across hts re
hevedly transformed face was more
confusing still, His old dear smile
gas turned upon her
why Joie mine" he said, "the un.
lappy Incident IL explained. When
Letile Warren showed your gift 10
Aother thas day w soon after mOtha,