The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1925-10-05
New and Amazing Serial Describes One
Mans Long But Losing Battle
for Freedom

MEILDRED'S indisposition, con-
Ul tinued. She wasn't exactly Ill,
vet failed to perform even the
slightest household duties-nor
could. I interest her in anything
away from the house. She dropped
more and more daily, like a cut
flower. Her slump worried me,
yet was unable to fully sympa-
thize with her. I had learned that
she disliked homework ana sew
ing.
Sells Advertising idea
Then one evening, after I had
spent an entire day washing and
drying accumulated clothes, MIL
dred sprinkled and rolled them,
and. said she would iron next
morning. Several times had
tried to master the art of ironing,
but had always made a fizzle
Of it.
That next morning I went to
town as usual, and met an old
friend who was promoting a newly
invented fruit-drying contEivance.
/ sold him on the idea of an ad-
vertising campaign, with direct
hy-mail literature as the chief line
OF appeal to a. selected list of
prospects. His concern didn't have
q great deal of capital, and I
agreed to accept a salary OF $50
q week for four weeks, by which
time I hoped to have the cam
paign thoroughly organized and
In motion.
OF course, I was delighted,
and went to work with my usual
intensity, forgetting nearly every
thing else. Three or four morn
ings later when I went to my
dresser drawer for q clean hand
kerchief there was none there. /
asked Mildred where she had put
them. She was still in bed where
had served breakfast to her, and
my question seemed to bring her
out of sort Of trance.
Forgot to Iron
well, declarew she ex-
claimed. Those clothes you
Washed-I forgot to iFon them!
knew there was something on
my mind these last three or four
days.
She Jumped up. slipped on a
wrapper and moccasins, and we
went downstairs, where she ran
qnickly to the kitchen and drew
out a clothes basket from I'M
der the two stationary tubs.
Hastily she unroIled the top gar
nent and inspected 1t. Then she
sat down on the nearest chair,
dejectedly The garment was
1plotched- with mildew, green and
unpleasant to look at. un-
rolled another piece-it was In
like condition. reached for q
third, roll.
Never mind-it's no use-donst
Haunt it at mer she cried. It
was stupid of me" Her voice
quavered.
mo, I should have remem-
bered. should have reminded
vol" said, as coT1solingly as I
could. At first had been
tuning. but the tears in her
voice had made me quickly SYM
pathetic for her. Perhaps It
would have been better had I be-
come angry and berated her. She
told me that herself, long after
wards.
"I'n buy some handkerchiefs
In town." I said. It's nearly
train time, and I must be going"
She was still sitting disconsolate-
~. her hands caught between her
knees. I had to tip up her chin
to kiss her. I got half way to
the door-and stopped. hated
TO leave her alone in that mood.
Donnie, fastened in his high
chair, was cooling, but she didn't
seem to know he was there.
You'll probably have to have
some new things. Mildred, after
that" I said, nodding in the
general direction Of the ruined
clothing. I'm wait over a train.
You get ready and put in a day
"a town, shopping. 1t will do
you good. Well have lunch to-