New Britain herald., 1925-05-12
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them. I throw them away. .. l hate darned stockings"
 Mother Gregory set her lips firm ly.
 I've always said," she remarked, rolling a pair of socks into @ neat ball, that a lazy wife could throw more money into the rag bag and the garbage can than her husband could earn working night and day"
 I'm no worse than the rest of the women I know" Gloria defend- ed herself.
 Then you know the wrong kind of women you fapper wives aren't real wivesl" replied Mother Gregory. She picked up the Bible that lay on the wicker table beside her. She opened it, and put on her glasses.
 Let mo read you something" she said. Listen to this. Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband doth trust her. She will do him good and not evil =. She seeketh wool and flax and worketh willingly with her hands"
 Gloria laughed.
 That's the bunk -. that old stuff. Times have changed since the Bible was written" she said.
 That's where you're wrong, Glory. Times haven't changed. They're just the same as they were in the days of King Solomon" Mother Gregory went on, "and 1t looks to me as If a virtuous woman is just as hard to find these days as she was thousands of years ago. |. Where are you going all dressed up, and covered with that nasty perfume you use?"
 Gloria began 10 feel that in some uncanny way Mother Gregory knew that she was going out to telephone Stanley Wayburn to meet her.
 'Is 1t tan darning cotton yon wanted?" she eyaded. Like this?" She bent to pick up little piece that lay on the rug at Mother Greg ory's feet.
 Suddenly she felt Mother Greg ory's hands on her shoulders. She looked up at her. The older wom- ans eyes were bright with tears.
 My dear" she said, "I talk to you this way only because I want this marriage Of yours and Dicks 10 be a success. Let Hs try to be friends. you and l."
 Gloria found herself facing the most surprising fact in human ex- perience . .. the kindliness of a person you believe 10 be thorough ly unkind!
 She couldn't find 8 word 10 say Finally she rose to her feet. and put the scrap of darnlng cotton into her purse. She went slowly out Of the house into the sunny street.
 She telephoned Stan from the store on Main street, where she hOh&hb 1ElC Aal ltlllS tpltOli,
 "Zowie. but it's good to see you again." he said when she met him. Didn't you come in your automo- bile?"
 Gloria shook her head. Her eyes shone with welcome. NO. I'm dying to walk, If you don't mind little hike" she said. I've been penned up in the house ever since l saw you last. Dick 8 had pneumonia, but he's better now, guess he'll be all right if his heart holds out" "Is that so? Sorry to hear he's been sick" Stan answered indlffer- entity as they swung along.
 Then his tone changed.
 That explains why ] haven't heard from you for so long," he said, Now tell me why. under heaven. did you suddenly get up and beat it that day you came to see me at the hotel? l never was so surprised in my life. What made you do n?'
 Gloria blushed uncomfortably.
 "Oh. l hate to tell you" she an swcred in a low tone. Tt was be- cause of all those women's pictures in your room! I'm 50 jealous of every woman you've ever cared about. And I hated to think was just one of them. I made up my mind that day that I'd never have a thing to do with you again. 1 Wayburn laughed. Then he turned slightly and tipped his hat ! to someone who passed. ! That was your friend. Mrs. Wing .. the dizzy blond l met at youI party" he said.
 'Is that sol" Gloria exclaimed "T suppose by tomorrow she'll have 1t all over town that I'm in love with Stanley Wayburn,, the we'll known actor"
 Stan grinned. Are you?" ht asked.
 T wish I knew. One day l hate you and the next day I can wait to see you" the girl confessed "Rw I think about you most of th' time. If that's being in love ] sep pose l am"
 Gloria walked along. deep il thought.
 She wondered what 1t was sh' felt for Dick. l. was true that lf' with him was not exciting. Anc vet, she had said a prayer Of thank fuInoss the night he had passed hi pneumonia crisis.
 She had been filled ith sorrow that night, at the thought that Dicl might die and leave her.
 But now. that he was better, sh was almost indifferent, again. . . What ailed her, anyway. Glori wondered, Why didn't she kno' , her own mind?
 When she had married Dick sh : had been almost happy with hin
 But a bottomless pit had opene 7 between them, with the return c
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