The Washington times., 1923-01-01
By Bee DonaIds.

| "AUL. PRENTISS and his wife
| Dorothy had been back
from their wedding trip for
more than two months. but they
were still honeymooning in the
pretty bungalow Paul had pre-
scented to his wife as q wedding
gift. Everything in itevery rug,
picture, piece of bric-a-brac and
furniture had been chosen with
their joint taste and consideration.
and the result was a love nest
which would have delighted the
hearts Of any bride and bride
groom that ever trod the way to
the altar.
It was rather a. roomy place.
with a den for Paul and sitting
room for Dot. When callers came.
Paul proudly, exhibited his den,
where pictures Of all the. latest
movie and stage celebrities
adorned the walls-"with my
wtfe's full and free consent" he
always boasted,
In Dots sitting room there was
q cunning little table outfitted
with perfumed. monogramed chg
arettes. where Paul was wont t6
join his wife for a quiet little
smoke now and then.
They both retained their inter-
est in vaudeville, musical comedy
and screen pictures, also the
weekly club dances, and neither
of them would think Of missing
the annual visit Of the Follies
any more than they would think
of going without their breakfast.
Paul's paternal grandmother,
whom he had not seen since his
infancy, had presented them with
a handsome victrola accompanied
by a generous check for such rec
ords as they preferred. AS a re-
suit. all the latest fox trots and
saxophone melodies filled the cabi-
net, and when they had nothing
more exciting to occupy their time
Of an evening they danced, and
still enjoyed every minute Of the
pastime.
Into this Garden Of Eden the in
nocent postman one day deposited
a serpent In the form Of a letter
from Grandmother Prentiss. When
Paul came whistling up the front
walk that night at dinner time, a
acknowledged, fearful wife met
him at the door.
why, Dot" he exclaimed.
What has happened?"
Nothing yet-er-oh, Pauliei I
don't mean any disrespect to your
grandmother, but why couldn't she
nave waited just a little bit
longerr'
She held out q letter addressed
to Mr.. and Mrs. Paul Prestiss,
which he snatched from her hand,
but, anticipating the contents,
burst into storm without waiting
to read 1t.
wen wire at once! Wen have
smallpox-be on the way back to
Europe-weW -"
But, Paul." Dot interrupted,
breathlesS at his sudden frenzy,
I'VE can't-she's on the way!'
Paul read the letter and threw
up both hands in a gesture of ut
ter despair. "All our good times
backed right off the boards with
out warning!' he walled. Haven't
seen the good woman since I wore
dresses. but grandmothers gener-
ely are a poky lot, I'll sayp'
II suppose we'll have to get
ready for her, dear" suggested
Dot. 1.-THE letter says she'll be
here Thuraday. and that's tomor-
row."
Suffering cats! So soon?" he
growled. "We'n have to bow to
the inevitable, suppose. Can't
afford to offend the old lady"
That night Paul cleared the walls
Of his den and reverently consign-
ed his stage efavorites to the safe
ty Of a. packing box in the attic.
From Dots little sitting room they
carefully removed all traces Of the
telltale cigarettes and then turned
attention to the victrola records,
II suppose the old girl would go
straight up II she ever saw us
bunny-twirling around here to the
stvains Of this latest one, The
Everglade Glide,'" Paul comment
ed, as he added record to the
growing stack which they were
planning to keep company with
the pictures in the attic. Gee
whiz! II we keep on there won't
be many left to tune up for the
old lady. Here's The Star.Span-
gled Banner Aud Lang Syne,'
that thing from The Creation
Caruso singing o Sole Mo and
what do you say, Dot, let's leave
in this simple little fox trot and
see what happens?"
Grandmother Premises train
was due to arrive at $3.50 and
Paul had arranged to leave the
office early to meet her. He was
not sure he would know her, but
she had written she would be
wearing e plain gray suit topped