San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1925-09-13
The Married Life Of
Helen and Warren
BY MABEL HERBERT URNER.-
An Ambiguous Note
THEY were still at the dinner
L table when Anna brought in


"From Mrs. Gilson," laying it
by Helen's plate.
at must be that moth atomizer
she borrowed. No, bottle" feel
ing it.
"Hooch?" suggested Warren hope
fully, dispatching his caramel Gus
tard.
But the paper unwrapped reveal
ed Bohemian glass decanter.
"The one she bought the other
day!" puzzled Helen. "Why, I
don't understand" opening the note.
"'Dear Mrs. Curtis:
"'Here is the old decanter you so
admired. 1 told you how / picked it
up at that absurd price. j bought
it for our sideboard but today, my
birthday, Alice sent me a pair of old
Waterford decanters. So am Won
dering if you wouldn't like to have
this? 1t really belangs with all
your lovely old things.
chastity,
GRACE L. GIBSON
"Why, dear, would you think
she'd do that? just because l adj
mired ito take il for granted I'll
buy ito
"What'd she pay for it," Warren
threw down his napkin.
Il think twelve dollars. Yes, it's
marked on the bottom. / said it was
cheap-but / didn't mean it"
Huh, 1 can hear you ravin' over
it-tellin' her what a bargain it
was, She thinks she's doin' you
a favor lettin' you have it,"
Its a nice old decanter, of
course, but the shoppers Clipped
and we have three. I'd rather spend
that much for something else. But
the way she's put it-what can I
Bay?"
THAT'S your funeral" lighting a
cigar. Maybe you'll quit spoutin'
superlatives after this"
Come on. dear, she wants to
clear the table," touching the bell.
In the library, Warren settled
with his papers, Helen brooded re-
sentfully over Mrs. Gilson's dubious
kindness.
Dear. I'm NOT going to buy
it," after the fourth reading of the
note. "But how shall / tell her?
Write her? Or had / better take it
back"
FINDS. 1T DIFFICULT.
Warren's grunt was unenlighten-
ing.
mo, I'll just write a note" de-
cisiyely, turning to the desk.
But the note was most difficult.
Several sheets Of monogrammed
paper went into the waste basket.
Dear, listen-will this do?
"'Dcar Mrs. Gibson,
It's a lovely old dccanter and
very reasonable. But as we
have three, we really do not
need another. But it was nice
of you to think of me.
Perhaps you can return it
or exchange it for something
else. Thank you so much for
letting me have a chance at it."
A disinterested shrug from War
rem.
Dear, do tell me how that
sounds! She's very nice-I don't
want to offend her."
Sounds pretty raw to mel"
"Then what SHALL / writer
"a check for twelve plunks-
that's the easiest way out. Keep
the darn thing, You can give it
away if you don't like it."
Il do like it-but don't like the
way she's trying to shift it on to
me. You think I'd better not send
the note? Maybe l ought TO run
up and see her. You. can always
say things better than you can
write them"
Rewrapping the bottle in the It's
sue paper, Helen rehearsed several
opening speeches. But they were as
difficult as the note.
Dear. don't you want to come
up with me? You like Mr.. GiIson--
and they were down here last"
Now, you don't drag me in on
this! !" filling his pipe.
mo. of course not. l wouldn't
want you to say anything-but it'll
be easier with you there. It'll seem
ike a friendly call.
"You can wriggle out Of your own
scrapes. You're long on alibis. But
I'd rather cough up the twelve than
have any hard feelings with people
in the house."
But, dear. it's an imposition to
send me note like that The high
handed way she puts it. No, I'm go
ing to return il :"
"Well, hold on" adjusting the
reading lamp. "'fore you go get me
the magazine with that Inheritance
Tax article"
TAKES DECANTER BACK
Dear, why not ask them down for
bridgeP rummaging through the
magazines. Here it is! Then /
could tell her casually
NO, you don't! You're always
so blamed circuitous. I'd loosen IN