Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-10-24
Modern Paradise Regained.

1t wasn't much of a quarrel-just a
few bitter words strung together in
angry haste; all about the bedroom
walls.
"Only forty dollars for such lovely
paper; and it's impossible the way 1t
Isl"
Forty dollars is too much; you're
paying for the mans reputation,
But any paper hanger would charge
twenty-five"
We'll, was brought up to realize
that fifteen dollars was worth saving!"
That was the beginning. AS Ralph
Brown, husband, closed the door, his
ears were assaulted with this last Par
THAN shot:
IF you are too stingy to support me
in decency I'll go home!"
The poison of the thing got into his
system. He never used to wrangle with
any one. Since his marriage. g. year
ago, there had been too much Of it;
maybe, after all, fifteen dollars was a
small concession, but it was the prin-
ciple of the thing! Somehow, the alibi
seemed family familiar and time worn.
Barbara and he had different stand
ards where money was concerned. She
wanted the best, or nothing. He would
compromise by enjoying next-best! The
word "stingy'' in her ringing tones,
heckled him through his mornings
work. He worried through till lunch
time. A bowl of delicious soup, cool.
refreshing salad perfectly served at his
favorite restaurant, swept away the cob
webs. He would telephone Babs and
tell her to order the paper. He would
demonstrate that he wasn't "stingy."
Whereupon, putting at his good cigar.
he began to enumerate all the lovely
things he had done for her; small
car all her own; q coy home-true 1t
was in rather lonely suburb, but
buildings we're going up all about them.
He reached for the telephone and then
remembered that Barbara was due at a
luncheon and bridge at /. He thought
for moment of calling her from the
luncheon. but decided against 1t, and
went back to the Office with his peace
of mind almost restored.
A client detained him and 1t was late
when he got away. AS he looked at his
watch and realized that 1t was too late
gagement ring, which had been left for
cleaning, he was annoyed. He had
wanted things smooth tonight.
When he reached home the house was
unlighted. He left the car In front and
entered with his latch-key. Silence.
Switching on the lights, he made his
way to the kitchen. order prevailed.
At this time of day he was accustomed
to the interesting clutter Of meal in
the making, to Barbara's slender figure
enveloped in cretonne over her pretty
dress, her bright head bent over some
honely task, and to the sweet freshness
of her kiss as she lifted her lips to his.
She was always home before him.
To kitchen felt Observation-Disclosures
down and a cold arrangement Of uten-
sils-everytting in its place. Ralph had
slight chill He called her name
loudly, standing at The foot OF the
stairs. Silence. Then, like an evil flash.
came her Parthian shot and its con-
"Nonsense!" he exploded to the blank,
listening walls. He went into the living
room and tried to read. Impossible: "A
possible accident to her car flashed
through his mind. No-he would have
heard before this. She would be COM
ing any minute now.
Seven thirty. Eight o'clock. Casting
aside his pride, he went to the telephone
and called her nearest friend. -
Selma, this is Ralph. What time did
Barbara leave the bridge party today"
"Whv. Raiph. I'VE been trying to get
her all afternoon. She wasn't there
Ralph hung up the receiver with ter
rible gonenesS in the pit Of his stomach.
He went UP to their bedroom. Every
thing was flung about; dresser drawers
stood open, her jewel case was empty;
an open suitcase lay on the floor as
though it had been flung there.
Barbara had gone; her folks lived
upstate-she had probably gone home.
He couldn't telephone them-his pride
forbade. He must let her go. He sank
into a chintz-covered chair and buried
his face in one of her handmade pill
lows. Life without her unrolled before
him like a distorted film. He finally
arose and restored the room to such
order as his clumsy masculine methods
and nervous fingers would allow. She
must. have been In terrific hurry 70
get away, once she had decided to go.
Probably rushed to get a train-or may.
be she had driven all the way. He would