The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1924-05-28
Todays Short Story

books upset him and hindered him aw-
fully"
It was the young wife's turn :, drop
back in her chair, but she was limp
rather than relaxed and her face was
stricken.
Martha, that's pretty severe and it
doesn't seem reasonable to me-" said
Mrs. Nelson reproachfully.
Miss Lacey sailed on serenely. You
see, he has them arranged By subjects
and they have been so for long time.
He could put his hand on any Of them
in the dark. He saved time by getting
them in the right order again."
Then bothered him awfully; /
didn't mean to" walled the girl.
Miss Lacey laughed. He didn't say
anything because he thought maybe you
would not notice It. He was not Of.
fnded he was in great haste and tired.
Later he may speak about it If he re-
members 1t at all. Do you always sit
in his study when he is working?"
Always when am not busy. He is
not at home much and / think we ought
to be together all we can don't you p
mo, dor'E Look me straight in
the eye and tell me the absolute truth.
Wouldn't you rather be somewhere else
sometimesl y
In spite Of herself, Mrs. Armitase's
lips dropped,
"The truth! The truth! Wen never
tell. Don't you feel tired sometimes?
Aren't you going it partly from sense
Of duty?"
1"Why-why, really, we go out as
often as ! care to--Vhen Fred is not
busy, you know. Then he often speaks
to me and sometimes he wants some
thing. You don't think ] am botherins
him 2"
Not one atom. You.are sacrificing
yourself to him neediesAiy. You are not
able to understand his work or get in.
terested in 1t. He doesn't expect II or
need It. Get q eide line Of your own
something more, than embroidery Unless
you are specially interested IN Ii.
Spend part Of the evening at least in
some other room. You have hobby
now see 1t in your eye"
gphere was a different look in her
eye, whatever 1t meant. "Fred's work
Isn't exactly hobby. He is making
money by ii; butt was crazy about
camera work: That's just it. Crazy
about II. was afraid it might inter-
fere and it il expensive"
| ut will not interfere. You viii not
neglect the house or Fred. You are
not that kind. Get your camera and
60 to work, Do as much as you can
tafford TO do" ~
II have fine camera now; a good
equipment. learned it all--develop-
ing and printing and enlarging."
Not very expensive when you do
IAN the work. Get right at it. I'm
coming to see you before long and ex-
pect to find you hard at it."
l She was in her dark room when Miss
Lacey called and Fred was not in sight.
Laughingly, she took off her big apron.
e'Pm so excited / can hardly eat or
sleepw she exclaimed. I'm selling
pictures, actually selling them. / shall
be able to pay for ell my materials and
make something too. Look at this en-
largement Of Mrs. Watson and her
baby. I copied the. pose from one Of
the famous madonnas. He wanted il
to hang over his desk and he insisted
on paying for it."
Miss Lacey gazed at it admirinsly
MY dear, it is wonderful. You have
gift for this work. It would b.
shameful to let It lie unused"
The study door opened and Fred
popped out.
Il knew your voice." he cried. as h
lshook hands with the guest. my best
friend on earth. Matte"
~ suspect she is q friend Of all th'
world" answered Matte warmly.
.'She is. My wife says you started
her at this work again, Miss Lacey, ant
she is an artist in that line. didn't
know it myself"
II wish / could start every woman
on earth to using her special gift, how
ever small. Nearly every woman hal
one, some creative talent of some sort
il only cake making or rug weaving
Using and developing it to the full Il
what makes life rich for he rand others
I'VE all have Z lot Of drudgery to do