The Dolores star., 1924-04-18
Such a
Clustered Life
By MYRA CURTIS LANE
20. 1924. Western Newspaper Union,

y
20. 1924. Western Newspaper Union.l
MRS. FRANK MURRAY was peep
ava ing out behind her curtains at
the woman in the next garden. Mrs
Lillian Gates she called herself, and u
widow, but every one knew who she
was. They had known as soon as she
took the house. month before. The
owner had said that If he had known
she was the woman who figured In
that notorious case of the millionaire
he would never have rented 1t to her
Plenty of money she seemed to have,
but of course nobody would have any
thing to do with Mrs. Gates in a social
way. Certainly Mrs. Frank Murray
wouldn't. She was pattern house
wife. and stickler for the conven.
tions
Nevertheless, she had watched Mrs.
Gates furtively ever since she had
taken the house next door. Mrs.
Gates was always in her garden. plant
Ing flowers and shrubs. 1t was
strange that a woman like that should
care for flowers. Mrs. Murray asso-
ciated her with the white lights and
champagne.
And though she would never have
admitted 1t TO herself. Mrs. Murray
looked on Mrs. Gates with sort of
envy. She herself had lived such a
cloistered life. There were so many
hidden phases of life that she had
no desire to investigate-wicked
things, like the existence of this
bala
curious. Mrs. Gates aroused her Gu
riosity. And ervious-not to be like
her. but envious of her experience.
Clo!stered-that was what Mrs.
Murray was. like thousands of her
kind. Frank coming home every eve
ming, and his dinner to be cooked
then little Tom to be looked after,
and kept out of mischief, and bathed
and dressed and played with.
The boy was the Murrays' idol.
When the epidemic struck the town
they were overwhelmed with anx.
iety about him. 1t was a malignant
form of scarlet fever. Mrs. Frank
Murray hardly ever peeped out at the
woman next door.
The day came when, Frank being
at the office. Tom came in with a
flushed face and sore throat. He
complained Of headache. His moth
er was In terror. She knew what that
portended. She must have the doc
tor instantly. There was no telephone
in the house. She ran out Of the
house in distracted Way.
whats the matter? Can help
your
"Oh, my child's Ill. The Doctor"
Have you no telephone? Come in
Use mine. No. let me call him!"
In spite Of her fears Mrs Murray
found time to look about her in won.
der at the tasteful interior of Mrs
Gates house. She admired her white
morning frock. her cool, well-bred
tones over the telephone
He'll be right around" said Mrs
Gates.
The other woman thanked her i'm.
pulsively and fed. She waited In
agony for the verdict.
"Scarlet fever? Nothing of the
kind" said DR.. Aston brusquely. $50
long as you keep him from contact
with other children there's no way he
can get 1t. A feverish cold, and some
arrangement Of digestion. Nothing
to worry about. Keep him quiet and
he'll be running about again tomor-
row."
Mrs. Murray felt indescribably
thankful. She smothered the little
hoy with kisses. Then she went on
with her cooking. Everything was
normal again. But presently some
thing began to creep into her mind
She knew what 1t was She had
placed herself under an obligation to
that woman next door. She must 60 in
and thank her
Reluctantly she changed her dress
and went to the door. Mrs. Gates
opened 1t.
"How is the boy2"
"It isn't scarlet fever" replied Mrs.
Murray happily IL just came In
to thank you for your kindness"
"Oh. that's all right. saw you
looked distressed and knew something
must have happened. am so glad"
Then Mrs Murray said strange
thing in her gratitude. for which she
could never afterward account.
"Now we're neighbors you must
come in and see us sometimes" she
said.
flush Of gratefulness came upon
the other woman's face "Oh, I'd like
to so much. sometimes II you will
have me-" she answered. Living so
much nlone-one gets to feel so clois-
tered"