Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-12
THE EVENING STORY

L 90, IOmS voice gave the impression
of logged sullenness. IT earn the
money, and have right to do what I
choose with it."
''Oh, if that is the way you feel
about it," tragits,Iy.
You are making II hard for me to
come home at all. Hattie" Tom re-
joined savagely. and the door slammed
behind him as he dashed down the front
stairs three steps at a time. Then came
the sound of the little runabout car get
ting under way, and he was gone.
Dear, dear" lamented Mrs. Harvey
for the second time, suffering vicari-
ously with the foolish young pair. II
know just how she feels. She is too
young TO have good sense. And he is
too young to make allowances for her.
The habit of quarreling is growing on
them. 1t will ruin their lives" She
stood for an irresolute moment in deep
meditation. IF I knew them better I
might venture" she thought. Then
casting timidity on the winds, she went
out on the long balcony in front of both
the apartments and tapped on her
neighbours screen door. Receiving no
response to repeated tapping. she entered
the room. The bed was still down. and
upon it lay Mrs. Tom Hayes in
crumpled heap. sobbing her heart out.
"Oh, my dear! my dear!" soothed
Mrs. Harvey. smoothing the pretty bob
bed yellow hair. She had feared resent
ment. but Hattie Hayes was too wretch
ed to resent anything Her attitude ex-
pressed the deepest detection.
Il wish 1 were dead! I wish I were
dead!" she sobbed again and again. IT
the outer room the untouched breakfast
remained on the table. The coffee was
boiling over on the gas stove Mrs. Har-
vey poured out cup and carried it to
the bedside. Here, dear. drink this"
she coaxed. And then tell me all about
1t. There's always way out of trou-
BILE. Do not sob SO bitterly. You have
no trouble that cannot be cured"
Tom is angry with me-" cried Hattie.
He will not come home all day" But
she sat up and drank the coffee.
Il hope you will not think me in
trusive,' observed Mrs. Harvey, II could
not help overhearing a part of your
conversation. When your husband went
out I felt that simply had to make the
attempt to speak to you, even if you
should shut the door in my face"
You heard us!" cried Hattie, deeply
mortified.
yes" answered Mrs. Harvey, signing
YEARLY. Il have heard you. not once
but many times. 1t has brought home
to me all my own sorrow and bitter re-
greet, my selfshness and my folly. If
you will let me tell you, dear, what I
have never told to a human being be-
fore, 1t may make you realize the value
OF the real things of life and the folly
OF running your happiness for the sake
Tell me-" breathed Hattie, and said
no more.
Il was 20 when married John Har-
VGV-2 CnnCaIacc fv1 ,,ot,
because some one called me pretty. An
only child and spoiled; spoiled even by
John In our counting days. I expected
MIN to keep on spelling me after we
were married. He did for few months
and then the spelling stopped. I can
not help thinking it was unreasonable
OF him to expect me to change all at
once, and that was where he was to
blame. He did not know that all my
tantrums were meant to make him keep
on petting and humoring me. All nv
nagging and fault-finding were to keep
MIN always thinking he was in the
wrong"
Il understand" said Hattie, blushing
painfully.
We'll, We quarreled and made it up.
quarreled and made it up; quarreled
and made 1t up until the day when we
quarreled and never made it up, had
worn out Johns patience at last, I told
him that I hated him. The great war
had just started. John enlisted ir a
Canadian regiment and was overseas
before l knew anything about it."
OH cried Hattie in distress. "Oh!
OH"
He never came back" continued
Mrs. Harvey duly. HE had left every-
thing we owned in my name, and he
sent me part of his pay all through
the war. He was never reported as
either dead or missing. I do not know
what became of him. That is an"
Very likely he would have gone any,
way. with our own Army" Hattie tried
to console her.
II We had never quarreled there
would have been no bitterness. That
Is my punishment. drove him to it.p
There was long silence. Then
What can do?" whispered Hattie.
DO not think of yourself" advised
Mrs. Harvey earnestly Think cnly of
making your husband happy. It will
pay in the end"
Tom won't be home till late" said
Hattie disconsolately. II always go to
bed and let him forage for himself aft
er We have had a quarrel"
Stay up tonight. and have an espe-
cially nice supper for him." begged
Mrs. Harvey. Ignore the unpleasant-
ness. Above all things, do not sulk. Be
cheerful no matter how you may feel.
Men hate the mournful in real life"
she kissed the young wife and returned
to her own apartment.
Contrary to Hattie's expectation, Toni
came home at the usual hour. He
brust into the living room with I'M
pulsive speech. "Oh. Hattie. forgive
me this time!" he besought her. IT
should not have said what. did. You
have a right to everything I earn" He
broke off suddenly Have you got
company?" he asked. staring at the lit
tie table, with its pretty china and
ton in the center. Something smells
good" shifting the appetizing odors
coming from the kitchen.
mo, mol" cried Hattie. flinging her.
self into his arms. only ourselves.
Oh, Tom. I am never going to be hate
ful to you again. You watch and see
If I don't keep my temper better after
this. You have right to do what you
like with your earnings. So there.
They made up this time for keeps.
Hattie had learned her lesson. She be-
came more sensible and Tom developed
more tolerance.
The following day Hattie went to see
Mrs. Harvey. to thank her for her kind
ness and her advice. You are my best
friend" she declared affectionately. 1T
seems queer. too, for Toms best man
friend Is Mr.. Harvey. j. T. Harvey
his name is
Mrs. Harvey began to tremble.
He lost his right arm in France"
went on Hattie. unheeding. Tom got
job for him with the company. Some
light clerical work, for he is not strong.
Tom asked him if he had no friends.
None that care what becomes Of
me- he answered. 1t seems so pitiful"