Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-08-02
A Dream Crystallized.

Nettie had changed a good deal since
her marriage. Ed sometimes wondered
whether or not he would have urged her
to marry him, while he still had his
way to make, if he had realized that
she would not continue to be the good
pal she had been at first. There was no
great fault in her mode of life, she kept
his home beautifully and was not e3-
traragant. but-and the but was a
grave one to a sensitive man like Ed
Snithers-stle had grown unreasonable.
Now that Ed made good living they
could have enjoyed many pleasures and
comforts had Nettie done her part. but
she didn't. She very frequently mourned
and fused because they lived so quiet
life and implied that the blame lay with
Ed He did like to sit down with his
paper after dinner, for he had Scant
leisure during the day, but he was not
unsociabe by any means. If he suggest
ed, any pleasant night after dinner, that
they drop in on some of their neighborS
Nettie invariably retorted that she was
too tired out with her houSework CT
that she was not suitably dressed. II ne
said he would like to have any of his
folks dine with them she always
mollrned over the extra work involved,
After a while Ed grew tired of the
situation and spoke to her plainly. You
don't want TO 60 out and you don't want
tn STAY home" he said Grossly; you
know YOU have to do one or the other.
There's a good show on at the movie
tonight. Put on your coat and we'll go;
probably you stay in the house tco
much"
Nettie unable to think of suitable
retort, had taken refuge, as she did fire.
ouentlv. in a fit of weeping. and Ed. UNI
able TO endure the unpleasant sniffllng
sounds and not feeling in the mood to
comfort her, slammed out OF the house
and remained away until bedtime. He
was still angry when he entered the
bedroom. but the sight of her tear
stained face on the pillow softened him.
Her heavy blond hair lay III hralas
about her face, and as he stared Gown a
half-sob escaped from her little plna
mouth.
She sure is unhappy" thought the
puzzled man. shes going to lose her
looks and become old before her time II
she goes about with that despondent
expression. OF course, have my busl-
ness to interest me. Perhaps some klnd
of q surprise would cheer her up ana
get her out of the rut."
Far into the night he planned. and
next morning his thin. plain face was
alight with anticipatory interest. Even
Nettie reused herself to wonder at the
mysterious gayety that lurked about his
mouth. but he refused to tell his
thoughts.
All you have to do is to dress up
and look pretty" he leased. and you
never know what may happen"
The morning of their wedding ami
versary Nettie got up feeling out OF
sorts. She wanted something and she
didn't know what it was. Everything
seems so drab and monotonous," she
complained. II wish something star
ting would happen-something wonder
ful-the way it does in books"
Ed, eating his breakfast with one eye
on his watch, grinned aftaoly: Ism
it wonderful to think that we've been
married for nine years ana that we re
both we'll and happy" He caugn'
her somber eye and paused. "At least
YOU ought to be happy" he added, pu'
out of temper by her unresponslve race
you have everything you want ana
husband to work for you"
Nettie's blond head lifted mutinously
1T seem to feel 1ack-I DON'T
but her husband, enraged by mel
eillv' yspid manner, seized his hat arle
departed in silence.
BY night he had forgotten the cpl.
code of the morning. His mldnlghl
schene to please Nettie was now ready
How pleased and delighted she woule
be at his thoughtfulness. All the way
home he preened himself on ms READY
mind. and he was smiling when NJ
opened the front door with his Key
Nettie had washed her hair and sim.
DIV braided it without bothering to cur
it. She felt tired and planned to go te
bed and read.
Ed saw there was something wrong
with her appearance. but could not de.
eide where the trouble lay. why dom
you put on pretty frock?" he sug'
rested. Some one might drop IN.
/ GAS we never go anywhere no one L
| apt to drop in," she said duly and van
ished into her bedroom.
"I'll bet a cookie she Is dolli1g up II
her best" he thought fatuously ant
= shufied Rayly. toward the front door u