The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-08-02
My Husband---7he Bootlegger
 RU Eur0Linp Roochor
By Caroline Beecher

but different sort from the well grOOmed, well dressed club men of for mer days. They came at all hours, sometimes very late at night. They would not remain long, sometimes did not some in, but Mort would go out into the hall and talk to them. Oc- casiOnally he would take them into the living room and close the door, but it was flimsily built house and I could hear them talking, sometimes in an- ger.
 Why do those men come here, Mort? They're not gentlemen-not friends, l am sure." -'@@ 2s% 7t
 T haven't taken an office and they have to see me somewhere"
 ''So they are men with whom you are connected in the importing business? It's all right to have them here, to save office rent. l just wondered about them, that was all" Not for the world would have made Mort feel objected to their coming. In fact, did not. I far preferred them to his absence, and he was with us so little now.
 Clifford called up frequently, asking where he could get in touch with Mort, grumbling because he was away from the factory so much, finding fault that he did not keep him posted as to his whereabouts.
 l advised Mort to telephone Clifford every morning when he expected to be too busy to go over to the factory.
 He's getting impatient,"' I said. You know how discouraged he gets when you aren't around"
 Poor old Cliff! Got about as much sand as a baby. He knows he can do all that's necessary, that I really am not needed, not often anyhow. 1 expect Mary tells him am shirkihg.'
 Haven't you told Cliff about your importing business?"
 "NO-and I don't intend to! See that you keep quiet if Mary comes around"
 But, Mort-won't they wonder where we get the money we are spend ing! They know you aren't drawing 1t from the business and we have a maid and new clothes. What will tbey think?"
 That I'm speculating, probably. Re member what 1 say, Stella, don't men tiOn my business to anyone"
 When Mort left my thoughts refused to be drawn away from our conversa-
 
 be so insiStent that no one must know about this new business of his. Surely to be an importer even on small scale was nothing to be ashamed of. I tried to think of some reason why he would rather have Clifford think he speculated than have him know about this new business, but could not. There was something strange, some thing perhaps of which Mort was ashamed in connection with what he was doing. Yet what could it be?
 From this time I knew little peace. little of happiness, although almost daily things were made easier for me, more comfortable for us all I could not dismiss my upeasiness, my fear that something was wrong, try as l might. And did try desperately to hold my faith in Mort, my confidence in his probity.
 II have found suitable place to live" he told me one night when he came in to dinner, that is. of course, subject to you rapprOval. l have taken the refusal of it until tomorrow"
 But do you think we ought to moyeY I asked. ''Now that l have help, we are quite comfortable here"
 We haven't room to turn around. I want larger place. Lucille was tell ing me only yesterday that she couldn't entertain in this coop of an apartment and that she was ashamed to accept any more invitations until she paid her debts"
 Can we afford it, Mort? I know you are making more money, but it will mean a good deal more expense-not only the rent, but the moving, and so on. Then nothing taken from one place ever fits in anOther-curtains and things like that Hadn't we better wait while longer?"
 Why wait when it isn't necessary [? Win you look at the house with me in the mOrning?"
 "House You think of taking house? I thought of course you meant larger apartment. A house will be very expensive, dear mean a great deal of work. more help"
 "Oh, do stop objecting to everything l want to do! If I couldn't afford it I should not have suggested it. Please let me manage the finance, Stella"
 As l for years had been the manager and because of my efforts we had been