The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1926-10-05

high. A dollar doesn't buy anything
any more. 1 want my children to
be clean and well bred. But that
takes time and money. How much
time can | devote to them when I
spend every minute doing work a
servant could do? How many new
clothes do you suppose this baby
had? None, except what was given
to her. I can't stand it, that's ALL"
The despair in her voice sounded
like a knell to the listening young
girl
IF marriage is like this believe me
I'll stay out Of it," Sonia shuddered.
Come on upstairs and lie down. I'll
do the ironing for you and battle
he baby"
Tears rushed again to vera's swol-
len eyes.
ooh will you, honey? I'm SO sick
l can't see."
Leaning on Sonia's strong arm
she climbed upstairs and fell into her
bed. Her thin face, sharpened with
work and worry, was etched against
the white pillow.
"You don't know what it means
to me, Sonia, to be able to lie
down.
Shut your eyes and go to sleep.
I won't do more than drown this
poor kid"
Sonia's sympathy was as awk-
ward as a boys. Her heart ached
for Vera, but she abhorred sent
ment, particularly between women.
She bathed the baby, gingerly. al
most afraid to touch the tender skin.
1t reused no maternal instinct in her.
Instead she was wishing she could
be Paul Warmers wife for about one
hour. Wouldn't she tell him a thing
or two.
1.-THE dirty dog" muttered Sonia,
twisting cotton in the baby's button
hole nose. Walking out the door
like that. Leaving Vera to worry
over it all alone"
Vera wasn't bad looking, either,
She could have had lots of good
times if Paul hadn't insisted on get
llnS married.
Later when the baby was asleep
in her buggy and Sonia was bang
ing the iron up and down the iron
. ing board, she heard the front door
open. Paul came softly down the
hall.
Whats the idea?" she asked
coldly.
He seemed embarrassed to find
her there.
, Il came home for something.
What's the matter with Vera?"
you ought to know"
Shamed color rose in Paul's cheeks.
II know. I acted like the devil
last night. l didn't see how in the
world we were going to manage
with four kids"
n should think if Vera can stand
it you ought to be able to bear up"
Sonia responded cruelty.
But he seemed in no mood for re-
taliation now.
Il know. L ought to be kicked"
When he had gone upstairs Sonia
found she had left the iron stand.
ing on his shirt.
And I don't give a damn" she
said vic1ously. Il hope Vera just
lays him low"
She listened but there was no
sign OF conflict from the room up
stairs. After awhile Paul came
down and went away again. The
two older children came in begging
for bread and butter. And before
thes ironing was finished it was time
for lunch
Sonia pushed the hair from her
perspiring forehead and sighed.
Think of working like this every
day in the week for years."
Through the kitchen window she
could see Toms mother pulling
weeds in her garden. She had
disreputable hat tapping about her
ears and old kid gloves on her hands.
wouldn't she die if She knew
Tom had offered to buy nae a dia-
mond? I'd like to take him up on
that just to see her squirm. Her
precious Tommy boy engaged to
Sonia Marsh!'
But the thought of Don Stillwater's
promise to write his uncle shone
in her mind like a lamp. Every
thing would be all right is she could
only get to San Francisco.
She boiled potatoes for the chill.
dren's lunch and made pitcher of
iced tea for Vera, with thin pimento
sandwiches. Poor Vera had looked
so miserable, so unutterably tragic!
Sonia fed the children and put them
in bed for their maps before she
went upstairs Then with the tea
and sandwiches on an old copper
tray, she knocked at her sisters
door.
She was surprised to find Vera
relaxed and smiling. Her cheeks
were family flushed.
BLESS your heart, Sonia This is
awfully sweet of you"
She sat up to take the tray and
Sonia sat down beside her. Every
muscle in her body ached.
Paul came back" confided Vera,
between bites, Gust to tell me how
sorry he was. He said he walked
. the street for hours last night wor-
rying about me and wondering how
we'd manage"
1T was a dandy way to show his
sympathy" Sonia remarked, Jelly.
"Oh,. Sonia, you don't understand.
I, Wait until you're married, darling"
II wasn't SO dumb that I couldn't
see how you looked this morning.
Things haven't changed any since
then that l can notice."
But they have, dear. That's just