Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1923-06-17

Dld you go TO vaudeville with
him today?
mo, I didn't.D she said. Il was
talking about the time when you
made such a fuss l didn't go any
where with him today"
I'm glad to hear it," Colinson
said. 81 wouldn't have stood for it,"
ooh, you Wouldn't" she cried, and
added a shrill laugh as further COM
ment. you wouldn't have stood for
i'll"
Never mind" he returned dog
gedly. I'VE went over all that last
time, and you understand me: I'll
have no more foolishness about Char
lie Loomis'
How nice of you. He's a friend
Of yours; you go with him yourself;
but your wife mustn't even look at
him, just because he happens to be
the one man that amuses her a little.
That's fine"
Never mind Collinson said again.
''You say you saw him today want
to know where
Suppose don't choose to tell you"
Ell want to know where you saw
Charlie Loomis."
She tossed her curls again. and
laughed isn't it funnyw she said.
"Just because 1 like q man, he's the
one person I can't have anything to
do with! Just because he's kind and
jolly and amusing and I like his jokes
and his thoughtfulness toward a
woman, when he's with her, I'm not
to be allowed to See him at all, But
my husband-oh that's entirely diff
ferent. He can go out with Charlie
whenever he likes and have a good
time, while I stay home and wash
dishes! Oh, it's lovely life"
where did you see him today?"
She looked at him plaintively and
allowed tears to shine along her
lower eyelids why do you treat
me like this?" she asked in a feeble
| voice. why can't l have a man
friend If want to? do like Char
! lie. 1 do like him
Yes, That's what L noticed,
Well. but what's the good OF
always insulting me about him? He
has time on his hands Of afternoons,
and SO have I. Our janitor's wife is
! crazy about the baby and just adores
to have me leave her in their fiat,
Why shouldn't 1 go TO a matinee or Il
! picture show sometimes with Char
! lie?"
Il want to know where you saw
him today
Mrs. Collinson jumped up.
ooh, hush up" she cried He
came here TO leave note for you"
oh" said her husband. II beg
your pardon. That's different"
How sweet of you
Where's the note, please"
She took il from her pocket and
tossed it to him. $50 long as it's a
note for you it's all right, of course"
she said. Il wonder what you'd do
If he'd written one to me"
Never mind" said Collinson, and
read the note.
Dear Collie: Dave and Smithie and
Old Bill and Sammy Hoag and maybe
Steinie and Sol are coming over to
the shack about eight-thirty. Home
! brew and the old pastime. You know,
Don't fail. CHARLIE"
You've read this. of course" Col
linson said.
II have not" his wife returned
covering the prevarication with a
cold dignity. I'm not in the habit
Of reading other peoples correspond
euce. thank you"
We'll. you can read it now" he
said.
TIER eyes swept the writing
/ i briefly. and she made a sound of
wonderment. as IL amazed to find her
self 80 true prophet. And the
words weren't more than out Of my
mouth. You can 60 and have a grand
party right in his fiat. while your
wife stays home and gets the baby
to bed and washes the dishes"
I'm not going"
"Oh, no." she said mockingly. II
see you missing one of Charles stag
parties!'
I'll miss this one"
But il was not to Mrs. Collinson's
purpose that he should miss the
party; and SO, after carrying some
dishes into the kitchenette in medi-
tative silence, she reappeared with
changed manner. She went to her
husband, gave him a shy little pat
on the shoulder and laughed good
naturedly. "Of course you'li CO." she
said.
You work hard the whole time.
honey, and the only pleasure YOU ever
do have, it's when you get a chance
to 70 to one OF these little penny
ante stag parties. I want you to
co.
"oh, no." said Collinson. It's only
penny-ante. but I couldn't afford to
lose anything at all" ...
"If you did lose, it'd only be few
cents" she said you'll work all the
better IL you 60 out and enjoy your
self once in a while"
well. IL you really look at it that
way, I'll CO.
That's right. dear" she said, smil-
ing. Better put on a fresh collar
and your other suit, hadn't you?"
II suppose So" he assented.
When he had completed his toilet,
it was time for him to 20. She came
in from the kitchenette and kissed
him.
There, honey" she said. run
along and have q nice time. Then
maybe you'll be a little more sensi-
Bile about some Of my little pleas
ures."
He held the one hundred dollar bill
folded in his hand, meaning to leave
1t with her, but as she spoke a sud-
den recurrence Of suspicion made him
forget his purpose. Look here" he
. said. I'm not making any bargain
with you. You talk as IL you thought
I was going to let you run around to
vaudevilles with Charlie because you
let me 60 to this party. Is that your
idea?"
1t was. indeed, precisely Mrs. Col
linson's idea, and she was instantly
angered enough to admit It in her re-