San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1925-08-29
The Making Of
a Husband
Ann Lasle's N eO
Phase of Jim and
Anne's Marital
Adventure
BY, ANN Isle
Chapter 81.
BY ANN Isle

quiet day for us. 1t was the first
Christmas since our marriage when
We had not been surrounded by our
family and had not INDUCED in gay
festivities and tree to carry our
presents and symbolic our goodwill.
Jim's gift to me was a wonderful
string of rich amethyst beads inter-
spersed with crystal, and a vanity
case of rich violet enamel set with
glistening marcasites. | had fine
time preening with my new pretties
and seeing Jim's delight in the gold
and platinum cigarette case ! had
purchased for him.
There was a festive excitement in
opening the box from the West which
brought gifts from Neal and Mary and
Burtly Tompkins. All our friends re-
membercd us, but il seemed odd to
have no other visitors than Arlette
calling for May and bringing us n
balsam pillow of her own making and
a shy air of excitement over the new
clothes she was proudly wearing.
Arlette's shy delight and pride were
my reward for a second day OF shop
ping, and when she and May left tho
child stood in the doorway singing a
Christmas carol which brought tears
to our eyes.
But when we were alone j found
myself waiting excitedly and impa-
tiently for something to happen. II
seemed odd that / should not be abso-
lutely contented with Jim and his
love, but / found myself wondering
when he would get bored with the
quiet aud peace of our house and
want some excitement"
"Whon's dinnerF Jim asked sud-
denly, looking up from the Christmas
cards be was going over for the third
time. "And how come you didn't
keep May here to get it?"
"She and Arlette were asked to
dine with Zeke Schmidt and his sister
Nand the five children" / said. "And
Nyen IL ] had the heart to make May
wtnsk all day Christmas my match
making. tendencies would urge me to
send her off to show Zeke her new
finery."
Jim laughed. Then he said sud-
denly:
you'd expect jeanne to bury the
Ratchet on Christmas day. Did you
think Of inviting her and Pat TO dine
with us?"
"Did you think of letting me serve
0lnucT TOT IOuT. dohSu go
not willing to tell Jim that ] had In.
vitcd jeanne to dine with us and tnaV
she had replied coldly:
i've told you 1 can't reconcile my
self 70 social events with Jim. Some
day may be able to overlook his ac-
tons, But not yet. It's all too recent
and too fresh and too terrible, Anne.
Great then was my amazement
when Nicholas Perry arrived at 1
O'Clock with festive bunch OF Christ.
mas roses of rich Jacqueminot red and
an air as jovial as his flowers. .
merry Christmas, and many OF
them Z" he cried, handing me the roses
and presenting Jim with what turned
out to be a charming book-plate of his
own designing. 1--WE just been nego-
tiating for a gay Christmas dinner
served at 5 in Mrs. Cruikshank's best
STYLE. I've engaged the services OF
our neighbors and STATIONS, and Bert
Stratton says that II l lay the tables
and carve the bird, he'll pass the plates
and wash the dishes. So I'm looking
for you to do the rest of the buttllng,
Harrison. How about it,"
what happens to the bird you have
in the oven, Amer" asked Jim.
want me to contribute my turkey
70 your party, Mr.. PerryT Iaskcd ex-
citedly. you're so impromptu that an
extra eight pounds Of turkey may come
in handy"
Bring It along" acquiesced Mr..
Perry. N"I1l scour the neighborhood
for A few more folks who can either
keen their turkeys for tomorrow or
- al, Ia, n saaoTd DaaQI a a
Say, what's the matter with my asking
Mrs. Dalton and her husbandT
II wouldn't'-I began, but jim cut
in abruptly:
"You mean my sister, Jeanie? Do
you know her husband well enough to
ask him to drop in at neighborhood
party?'
ii don't know him at ALL" ac-
knowledged Mr.. Perry simply. But
your sister and / are real friends.
We've such a lot Of things in common.
We really are quite pals by now"
Jim's face took on look OF Harri-
son reserve.
"They won't come" he said eoldly.
IN try and see," Nicholas Perry
said carelessly. Bring your turkey
and fixings and come over at 3 or so
to help prepare"
Then he raced off, intent on con-
tinuing the arrangements for his i'm
promptu and informal part. But jim
sat silent for a long time after he had
gone, scowling thoughtfully and think
ing intently.
"Don't worry, dear" / said, going
over and smoothing his hair tenderly.
"Jeanic won't come. You won't have
the embarrassment Of meeting her."
I'm not so sure any one can with
stand Perry" Jim said oddly.
"Pat won't come. They have other
plans. surely"
IF Pat is wise man he'll bust EN-
wide open and come look Perry over"
said Jim. IL would II | were in his
boots--and I'm game to take what
ever comes In order to be on deck
when"
-yvhen what?' / asked.
when Jeanne pulls her grande dame
stuff meeting her ignoble brother IN
good society. Say, / wonder IL Perry
will tin her off we're to be there :
Some dramatics! You wanted Christ.
mas excitement. Now you're going TO
have It,"
But suddenly found that / was a
little afraid Of the excitement / had
craved. Jeanie has refused over and
over again to meet Jim. Will Nicho.
las Perry's invitation mean so much
90 her that she win endure a meeting
with Jim rather than refuse himi
And how will Jeanie carry off the