Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1924-09-10
ABOUT HUSBANDS
BY r. EVA ARONSON

In appearance he was far from the
standard of manly beauty set by Ado
mis-. His shortness, his squareness,
his plain, freckled face, were a source
OF inner dissatisfaction to Alma.
You might have had those trousers
pressed" she complained you dis
grace me !"
He looked mildly surprised.
why, what is the matter with me?'
he asked, innocently.
1t was impossible to explain to him.
She nodded toward Archibald A.
Donis, who was crossing the floor to
claim his dance with her.
Look at him." she said, land per-
haps you'n know"
John glanced at the tall, handsome
man bowling over his wife's hand, and
then looked down at himself. His
lips twitched sensitively. But all he
said was, Il am sorry" and retired to
a corner.
Alma, fox-trotting with Archibald,
looked up at him admiringly. Any
woman would be proud to introduce
him as her husband. In addition to
his superior height and artistic profile
he possessed sunny smile, and agree
able manners. 1t was impossible not
to like him.
SIS that my wife, entertaining your
husband?" asked Donis, presently.
"Yes. John is being saved from
boredom. He hates social affairs"
THAT must be rather hard on such
a young, pretty girl as you,' he muir
INJURED in her ear.
Alma blushed and glowed under his
admiring eyes.
Before the evening was half over
she discovered that she and Archie
had much in common. And she was
frankly envious of the tall, statuesque,
blond woman who was still sitting be-
side John, converslng with him in an
animated manner.
II guess she's plying me-" thought
Alma, land wondering how I ever
came to marry john
Toward the end of the evening John
went home. Alma was secretly glad
of 1t.
MY wife and l shall be pleased to
take you home In our car" Archie
said, looking deeply into her eyes.
Hes the kind of a man | should
have married" reflected Alma, as she
ran into the dressing room to get her
wraps.
On her way back she passed the
halfopen door of a little sitting room
which led out Of the ballroom, and
paused at the sound of voices raised
In alteration.
Look here, Arch"-surely that was
Mrs. Donis tslking-w won't have you
making a fool of that little woman.
You know, as rule. l shut my eyes
to your little indiscretions, but when
1t comes to deliberately"
"Now, don't get ON your high horse,
Jean. The kids saddled herself with
an old stick-in-the-mud who's got a
face only a mother could love"-it was
clearly Archie's voice
Indeed was his wife's indignant
rejoinder. why, l wouldn't change
one of his kind for ten like you. He
has quite the most beautiful face
have ever seen on a mani"
Beautiful face! Alma gasped. She
stood there as IL rooted to the ground,
anable to move.
Yes, beautiful" Mrs. Donis was in
dsting. "He has character; he has
soul he has heart; and they are re-
doesn't have to bother with anonymous
letters from foolish girls limiting at
breach of promise suits"
"Pity you didn't draw him in the
lottery game"
81 wish had. I'd change husbands
with her in a minute"
well, is it my fault if the women
poster the life out of me because I
happen to be good looking? They
make me sick with their"
Alma moved away, sick at heart.
Later, as she sat between the
Donlses in their car, she communed
with herself silently, seeing herself
for the first time in her life in an I'M
f1atterlng and Inundated light.
1t was pleasant to enter her coy
home. John came to meet her in bed
room slippers and smoking jacket.
Did you have good time, uarling?"
he asked. "I'm sorry I'm such an old
Dobbin. l often wonder why you ever
married me?"
"Oh, john" cried Alma, in queer,
choked little voice, don't talk that
way"
She ran to him and put her arms
around his neck.
81 married you because / loved you,"
she said thickly, "but l didn't know
how much until tonight"
Where Eliza Crossed.
A visitor in an Ohio river city saun-
tered around town for several days
L. IL II