The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-03-15
LISTENING IN ON EYE
Neighborly Interest

bright colors she does. I wonder if you have seen her new spring hat. It's the most vivid red imaginable.
 "Yes, of course, perhaps that is her own business. Just the same, though. think young woman living alone the way she does should be most discreet.
 Well. yes. of course. everybody doesn't talk, but there are always some who will do it if there's the least excuse, and I think myself that Mrs. Tossey ought to be more careful. For instance, why doesn't she cook all her own meals instead of going down into the cafe for dinner every night? I can't help feel ing that she does it just to attract at- tention. but it won't do her any good for there's an awfully stupid lot of men go to the cafe. don't believe they mo- tice her at all.
 Well, perhaps she doesn't wish them to, but I think it would be more digni fed for her to eat in her own apart ment. I'm afraid that I'm a little old fashioned in my ideas of refinement and propriety. I believe she would be a great deal happier and safer, too, if she would occupy herself with homework.
 "I asked Miss Mims whether she knew how Mrs. Tossey put in all her time, and she said she certainly did not, although she heard her playing the piano good deal. She must have a large alimony if she is divorced. to be able to dress as expensively as she does and waste so much time playing the piano. I suppose she was one of these frivolous wives that never have thought beyond their own appearance and their own pleasure. My heart aches for a man who marries that kind of selfish, thoughtless girl. It's terrible handicap for young man to get such a wife.
 Well, you may call it wasting sym pathy. but you see have a tender feel ing for a husband who hasn't found real helpmeet in his wife. It may ruin his whole career, read somewhere that a young man married is a young man marred, and I think that applies to case like Mir. Tossey's.
 You know when she first moved ih here a month or so ago, I thought quite seriously of calling upon her. I'm glad now I didn't let my kind impulses run away with my good judgment.
 ''No. don't actually know anything against her, but I never see any one going to her apartment. I don't be- lieve that she has any friends or po- sition at all. I asked Miss AIims what she knew about her, and she said she appeared to be well, happy and busy, and that was all that she thought neces- sary for any one to know. Miss Mims is rather a queer persons herself, but she is perfectly proper. No one who dresses as badly as she does could be anything else. If she would just use a little powder and rouge 1t would make all the difference in the world in her appearance.
 "Why. no. of course I don't approve of overdoing it as Mrs. Tossey does. No one can make me believe her bril- liant clor is natural I suppose she makes up a good deal for fear that peo- ple will think the trouble with her hus- band has affected her looks.
 Her own lovely red cheeks? No trouble with her husband!
 "Why l had no idea you knew her.
 Your own niece, bravely teaching music here while her husband has gone to England to see his old mother? How very wonderful and interesting Do stay and tell me more about her. know she must be charming. Oh. dear, must you go? l didn't mean anything unkind. You know how one will run on when one gets to talking.
 II wish I had known that you meant to ask me to call on her.
 Must youareally go? Well, do come in again soon.'