Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1924-06-26
MY WIFE AND |
ny CAROLYN BEECHER
CHAPTER XXI


ITO an outsider 1t might seem that Nata-
lies extravaganza had been the cause
| of my discomfort. 1t had not. 1t was
| only one of the things that needed adjust
ment. The vital thing was our relations to-
ward each other Day by day they were
growing more straitened and to me at least
in every way growing more unbearable.
My vacation was not until the last two
weeks in August I hoped before that time
arrived to find Natalie resigned to the new
order of things, and to facilitate this tried
to be as amenable to her plans as was con-
sistent with my scheme to reorganize our
household.
had not forgotten that she had appeared
a trihe put out because Of my attentions
to Diana Lowell and~proposed that we take
her to see a new play.
"Take her if you wish,' Natalie said "But
ask some one else too. / don't propose to
be ignored while you entertain her."
Whom shall 1 ask-Garth?"
mo Find some one WHO appreciates your
wife, even if you do not" Her tone was
quiet, even not at all the tone Of an angry
woman vet she had flushed when [ proposed
asking Diana.
Il can't very we'll ask Ned without asking
jessie" I said to try her.
"Why should you suppose I wanted Ned?
me to extinction" 1 gasped my surprise. =.
Suppose we leave Diana out, then, and
go alone. 1 suppose we'll have to take your
mother"
1T isn't at all necessary to take her ev-
eryWhere we 60.
''Ill get only two tickets then" replied,
ridiculously happy that she going to be
alone with me-a most unusual concession.
I had not really cared to have Diana ac-
company us and had spoken Of her only to
hat No4 oil liz nod
ing on the subject. Not that 1 didn't adj
mire the bright girl immensely 1 did. But
far more did 1 admire my wife, strange as
it may seem.
After the play we had bite OF supper.
then went home. 1 made no mention OF
dancing, neither did Natalie. She had
seemed to enjoy herself had chatted bright
lg about the play and had not OBJECTED 10
going and returning in a taxi. That OF Itself,
tri1ing as it was, gave me teellng that
perhaps some time Natalie would see now
foolish many of her little-but expensive,
idiosyncrasies had been.
The next afternoon I stopped on my way
home and bought her box of chocolates. !
had almost stopped doing the little things /
had been in the habit Of doing when we
were first married and was surprised at the
warm flush of pleasure with which she took
my gift. Later she said:
."What shall we do tonight, Bruce?'
"Stay at home and read or perhaps have
piano on our first anniversary, wonderful
instrument. .
She started to say something, bit her lip
and turned away.
"Onlv two or three nights week from
now on, Natalie" I reminded her
What is it you are going to 90 two or
three nights?" her mother, who had just
then entered the room, asked
1--WE are going to stay quietly at home,
not two or three but four or five nights"
replied, smiling at Natalie. She mad seated
herself where | could see her.
"And be bored to DEATH" she said II
hope my friends will take pity on me and
ask me out occasionally" Her sarcasm
hurt.
vour husband refuses to go with you,' her
mother said with reproachful glance at
me-
ooh, well! I'm going to take book and
read in bed, good night" Natalie swept out
of the room leaving me to spend the eve
ming with her mother. [ am sure Mrs.
Brooks would have felt anything but COM
pIimented had she been able to read my
thoughts.
Just as far as my spirits had risen did
they now fall Yet ! noticed that Natalie
carried her box of chocolates along with the
book.
I picked up a magazine and started to
read. | was in mood for conversation
with my mother-in-law. She was a we'll
And she didn't hesitate to remind me every
time we happened to be alone Of my duty"
to Natalie.
l passed her another magazine mention
ing an article I had found interesting.
had opened it at the article. She closed it
with snap, shifting in the way that inva-
riably irritated me.
"I> don't care to read. I want to talk
about Natalie The poor child is unhappy
over something-perhaps you know what
and cried for more than an hour today
tried to get her to go shopping but she re-
fused, saying she didn't for shopping
any more-that she was tired of the shops.
She was petulant with me, something she
hasn't been before since I came. I am
afraid you have hurt her in some way. You
often seem to forget what a sensitive plant
she is"
Natalie weeping! / made a half motion
to rise and go to her, then thought "She
wept because I've cut down her spend
ing and was angry" ! resumed my seat.
"A man takes on great obligation when
he marries girl like Nataie-one who
could have had her pick" How that last
word annoyed me.
"You forget she chose me-" I returned,
then deliberately turned my chair SO my
back towards her and commenced to
read.
Continued Saturday. This story is near
ing the end. Renew to avoid missing
one Of the concluding chapters.
MY FAVORITE STORIES
NV rpuTS Cnpp