Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-02-15
On the Same Salary.

r T was so beautiful in Sue Biddles
~ eyes that she could not leave 1t
long enough to go to the kitchen
Il where unwashed breakfast dishes
i and other tasks called her. 1t
was only an old-faShioned chest of
drawers which she had picked up for
q song and Cal had rubbed down and
lstained and polished until 1t was rich
and smooth and glossy as mahogany
should be to look its best. Computed
in mere dollars it had cost little, but
computed in work and appreciation, 1t
had cost almost as much as 1T was
actually worth and that was good
deal.
There was the sound of an opening
door. a gay "hoo-oo!" and Sues next
door neighbor, Helen Chandler. entered.
why, you're all dressed upl" Sue
exclaimed, making a flashing survey OF
Helen's appearance. Strapped shoes,
silk stockings and a dark silk frock
gave Helen a distinctly social air.
I'm not dressed up at all. This
old dress happens to be fit for MOTH
ing but the ragbag, but thought Ia
get a bit more wear out OF 1t by using
It around the house. AS for my feet-
Helen sank into chair and thrust
her feet up before herr never let my
feet go the way some do. 1t RUNS
your arches to wear old shoes.
Sue. flushing, promptly tucked her
shabby brown oxfordS as far out OF
sight as possible. Helen's feet looked
charming. AS for the dress-it might
be old now, but it had been brand
new lust q little while before.
what do you think Of our acqul-
sition?" she asked.
Helen looked at the chest of drawers
careleSsly.
"Old. isn't it? I hate old things.
I'd rather have new any day. Have
you seen that parlor suite in Whit
takers front window? It's the swell
est thing I think-black and lavender.
, I told George that I'd jump into the
brook if he didn't get 1t for me, but
he said, nothing doing. He's simply
GOT to have q new suit of clothes.
Since he Joined that swell club he's
getting too stuck on himself for any
thing. And, of course, I have to have
! things to make me presentable with
such a stylish husband. I got me a
new crepe-some class to it, I'll tell
the world. But the price-I nearly
tainted away when she said $65."
'T'm making" Sue paused. She
would be ashamed to bring out that
wolfe picked up on the bargain coun-
ter and carefully designed by herself.
She had a knack of sewing, but, OF
course she could never hope to make
a frock that would look like Helen'S
SOS crepe.
Suddenly Sue felt little depressed.
The Chambers seemed to get such a
lot more out of life than she and Cal
did. They went everywhere, they own
ed a car, they were in with gay,
stimulative, fashionable crowd. And
George was pretty sure of promo
ton that would mean increased sal
airy. AT the present moment ne ana
Cal were drawing the same amount.
Yet Cal insisted on conservation. They
had a budget which they adhered to
strictly. Every week so much went
into the savings bank. Sometimes Sue
would have relaxed, but Cal never.
eff you come out only one penny
ahead you're a capitalist; If you come
out one penny behind you're spend
thrift" was his favorite quotation.
Helen sat there the whole morning.
She told about a luncheon she had
been to yesterday and of a motor trip
on Sunday with the BassettS, when
George had to stand treat at the Ar
lington for chicken and shortcake. And
they were going to party on Friday
night. 1t sounded gay and careless
and delightful to Sue, who had been
obSessed by the humble problem of
cooking a shank bone in new way
so as to disguise the fact that 1t was
shank bore. An extravaganza OF as
paragus had reduced her allowance
materially.
lone thing more" Helen said as
she arose to got is lunch time,
isn't it? But I'm only going to open
a can or two-we are talking about
moving There's house next to Mrs.
Bassett's which will be empty the first
of the month George viii surely have
his raise by that time, and, although
the price is steep, I think we can
manage it. It's really the most fash
ionable neighborhood in this section
of town"
Sue had nothing to say She went
TO the kitchen and bent over the pot