The broad ax. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1895-19??, 1926-07-03
Who Likes to Be
Shelved?
BY EUDORA r. RICHARDSON
(copyright-l

DC SO DAu III bealeS IhIner WcrU
not already a permanent boarder at
his sons house. Mrs. Simpson would
be just one more in the way.
At dinner that night Mrs. Simpson
studied her daughters father-in-law
from across the flowers and shaded
candles. Doctor Miller was an unob-
trusive enough person perhaps five
years her senior. After dinner he
smoked one cigar with Beale and then
rose to 60.
II must be reading now" he said
with the trace of shadow across his
face.
Don't hurry, father" Louise urged
cordially. its a foolish notion you
have that young people want to be
alone every evening"
Doctor Miller patted Louise's shout
der. 81 remember, my dear, that I
was once young" he said.
For awhile Mrs. Simpson sat In
brown study. Doctor Miller was per-
fectly right. If she and Elmer had
had some deadly old in-laws sitting
around during those first days, she
would have thought herself abused, in
deed. Louise and Beale had q right
to their romantic season alone.
Tonight must unpack," she said,
rising.
AS she lifted her clothes from trunk
to closet and tried to give the pretty
guest-room a homelike appearance,
Mrs. Simpson blinked now and then
to keep back a rebellious tear. Then
she faced her reflection In the mirror
She was not old. There were no wrin-
kles In her smooth face; she wasn't
thin and shriveled or fat and pudgy.
There was no earthly reason why she
should not find something useful to
do. Perhaps Louise would assign her
some household tasks.
The next day, however, dissipated
her hopes. Two servants did all the
work about Louise's house.
Now, sit right down, mother, and
make yourself comfortable" Louise
admonished as she hurried or to
bridge luncheon.
Mrs. Simpson tried to sit. She ala
it poorly. She read until the words
blurred before her eyes. Then she
just stared out of the window, feeling
rather envious Of all the people in the
world who had work to do. Louise
was busy and happy; Beale was In an
eternal rush; Doctor Miller still had
Office hours and calls to make.
There was the sound Of key being
turned in the latch of the front door.
and Doctor Miller entered, bringing
with him a gust Of wind from the
street He came into the living room
rubbing his hands and looking the pic
ture of good cheer. As he saw Mira
Simpson, his face grew serious.
"Ah, you've been alone all day." he
guessed. Louise is very popular. At
tractive girl-your daughter"
"Yes," Mrs. Simpson smiled.
LET me bring you some Of the
books that make my evenings less des-
olate. find that old people must read
a great deal, Mrs. Simpson"
Doctor Miller trotted upstairs with
a buoyancy that belied his age. He
was a distinguished looking gentle
man, Mrs. Simpson decided. Louise
had not done badly when she mar
ried into the Miller family. Soon Doc
tor Miller returned with a book, and
Mrs. Simpson bore it Off to her room.
That night and the next day she
read with real zest. Then late in the
afternoon she smoothed her wavy hair,
put a bit of powder on her nose and
went down to await the return Of Doc
tor Miller. There were several points
in the story that she would really en-
Joy talking over with some one.
So the weeks passed-Doctor Miller
supplying the reading matter and the
chats at twilight, and Mrs. Simpson
sewing a little, but reading much
Strangely, COrnelia Simpson told her
self, she was not altogether unhappy
1t was funny, too, that the very per-
son she had dreaded was making life
with Beale and Louise endurable.
AT last there came night when the
daughter and son-in-law were dining
out Mrs. Simpson sat at the head
of the table, and Doctor Miller at the
foot. 1t was a coy little dinner.
Don't you want coffee with your
dinner instead of afterwardsT' Cor
nella Simpson asked. Most men Like
1t better that way"
"Yes," Doctor Miller replied, "and
can't we have the vegetables left on
the table, so that the butler won't
have to be standing aroundr
After dinner Cornelia Simpson and
Doctor Miller gravitated naturally to
ward the living room
II guess we're not intruding to
night" Doctor Miller suggested.
"Oh. the children are very kind
Mrs. Simpson defended
"That isn't 1t, but who likes to BE-
shelved? You preside over a home
beautifully, Cornelia Simpson. Don't
you think you could try 1t again with
an old man who would bring you
books and not bother your"
aNo,. she said, shaking her head
with real emphasis. 81 could moi
stand not to be bothered"
The mans face, which had momen
tarily clouded, cleared again. He wa
a deal handsomer than his SON. Cor.
nelia Simpson thought.
agreed" he smiled, taking In his
the smooth white hands that lay n
the woman's lap. Louise viii never