San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1925-09-22

The Making Of
a Husband
Ann Isle s ~ e ~
Phase Of jim, and
Anne's Marital
Z Adventure
BY ANN Isle
Chapter II.
BY ANN Isle

Q
/ said, wondering if by moving away
from the scene of my unfortunate ant
betraying mirth, would shift Jim's
mind from the query as to why
found it funny that he thought my
days at The Birches monotonous.
.Yes, let's!" Jim said CURLY. I'VE
don't need to have May FaHeau-
and so presently the whole community
know every word we say"
Jim drew out my chair with auto
matte courtesy. stood aside while
preceded him across the room. filled
his pipe with his usual meticulous
care. and then-just as was com
forting myself with the notion that
he would lose track of what had gone
before--he said .crisply:
Lets see, where were we? You
went off into gales of mirth when
suggested that it might be dull for
you here. You said Jcnnie furnished
you with enough excitement to color
your days. And now you're going to
tell me what Jeanic is up to-"
Pm not sure am l protested.
."Why not?"
"rm not convinced it's any concern
OF ours"
..'Jcanie makes it your business by
telling it to you. Do you mean TO
say that what concerns my sister is
your business and not minc?" de-
mandcd Jim.
"Jcanic came here and told me-, "
venturcd.
"Shc confidcd in you" corrected
Jim. "Did she forbid you to tell me
what she had whispered to you:"
mo. but
But what, Annc?"
aBut she snecrcd bit as she sug-
gested that probably was planning to
tell you or Pat"
Inviting you TO make things inter
csting for her by telling us" jim
suggested.
"Nc, it's not that, and you know
it," ! protested.
"What is il, them
~The thing you used to object to, :"
| brought out slowly. you used TO
call me Mrs. Fix-it. You didn't like
1t when | made myself responsible for
every one IN our world. I'm begin
ming to think it was a pernicious
habit, and one / might as we'll cure
here and now"
you've made too much Of this to
stop now. {" Jim cried angrily. You
can't make such a to-do over confid-
ing my sisters activities to me and
then shut off the subject by saying
that you've decided on apology Of live
and-lct-live and<arc going to practice
it on Jeanne" go
-Why can't II" I asked. on the
verge of tears at this absurd argu-
fnent into which We were drifting
the first argument that had marred
our lives for some time. If Jeannie
tells me something she feels like con-
fiding to another woman. isn't it right
for mo 10 keep it to mysolf:"
Evidently not Jim said 'dryly.
Come on. Anne, spill it! What is
Jeanie pulling? She's nuts about
Perry. isn't She? Well-whst now
You seem to have your mind all
made up in advance. | said evasivcly.
Evidently you are determined that
Jcanie is-'up to something wrong.
Can't it be that she is just doing
some harmless think like taking les
sons in painting or teaching Mrs.
Cruikshank tatting or something like
tnnt?- ...- ii
Can the bunk" Jim shifted.
"Want 10 play double dummy soil
taire?" 1 asked. ..
1T do mott" Jim exclaimed impa-
ticntly. Il want to know. whats
gotten into you: You're as nervous
and jumpy- as all out doors and as
bristly. as n cactus"
I had brought this upon myself.
for, as Jim was speaking, Kitty
Firkin jumped up clawcd ut the chif-
fon Of the pretty now hostess dress
1 had made myself As, she lcaped
into my lap, l put out p hand to-
caress her, but vhcn my fingers met
the rent she had made in the thin
material, instinct made me push her
off the dress she was cndangerins.
Then as she meowcd a protest.
reached down and set her on the table
with little admonitory tap TO tell
her she had been naughty.
Il do-secm TO be nervous" I said.
Some reflex. Of which had no
advance warning, made me stcrnly
conscious that Arlcttc Nallcau had a.
kitten just like my rare smoky, puff
ball Persian. And the jealousy | had
striven so hard to conquer in the aft
ernoon surgcd up furiously. | didn't
trust myself to mention the thing that
was now on my mind-for half of me
knew it was petty and unworthy aud
even disgusting. And so with quick
desperation. / said:
"Jennie is sitting for her portrait.
"What?" asked Jim, raising one
brow oddly. "Jcanie is sitting for her
portrait. To whom"
"You know" ] rcproachcd. "Go
Nick Perry. Every day. 1t worries
me. She's so intense. And she's
growing so interested / don't like il.
And the portrait is birthday present
for Pat ID .F
expected storm. TRADE. criticism.
after | had jcrkcd out my staccato
sentences / would have given worlds
to yank them back again. And then
Jim flung back bis head and burst
ont into chortlcs Of laughter. could
hardly believe my ears. Why was he
laughing? Why laughing instead OF
raging?
Ito Be Continued.)