Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1929-07-26


people stirring between them shut out
the rest of the conversation.
George sat digesting his status In
the society Of climbers. He had built
his shop on the side of large lot
which he owned, planning to put up
modest home On the other half.
Rita, however, had been so expensive
a proposition as tc prevent the carry
Ing out of the plan. The shop was
far out and so far she had succeeded
In coaXing him to rent an apartment
nearer the city. 1t kept her In touch
with important people and he could
just as well take the car to work, she
had explained. He had given In weak
ly at first, thinking that he could save
the money to build, but her clothes
had cost great deal, reading in
wealthy houses necessitated many
changes and she hated sewing. In
fact, their life was given over to her
art. ITO the Interpretation of the
beautiful" he told himself grimly as
he placed her handsome evening cape
over her shoulders as she had shown
him how to do.
She was very silent on the way
home. Once inside the uncared-for
flat she sat down and began pulling
out her hairpins. She had an odd look
on her face. George, Mrs. Tremaine
made suggestion tonight. She said
she had done great deal for me-"
George. getting a drink of water at
the sink, turned and stared at this.
81 thought 1t had been the other
way around" went on Rita doubtful
ly, "but she said that she thought It
about time ! showed a disposition to
reciprocate. She wants you to do
over the llbrary-that is, put In new
black oak panels and drop beams
in"
'T haven't applied for any work."
interrupted George. ~ have more now
than I can do"
Rita's white hands twisted together
painfully. "Why, she doesn't mean to
make an estimate and be paid. She
wishes II done as a token Of"
"The beautiful, dare say, Rita, this
is the last straw. have weakly hest
tated because wanted you to be hap
by, but as you said yourself tonight,
Life Is what we make 1t; each day
should be filled with beauty Now,
propose to run things hereafter. There
Is no beauty In this dusty untidy
house. You are going to throw away
your limp volumes Of scarlet leather
and bilious green's, put away your
ridiculous silk dresses and wear good,
sensible ginghams or whatever women
wear to work In. We are going to
have real breakfasts and you are 60
Ing to be neat"
Rlta's eye had begun to flash and
now she rose so that her eyes were
nearly level. George, have you been
dreaming, or what is it?'
"Just woke up!" he snapped, thank
full she hadn't cried; that was what
he had dreaded. mo more slckly
poetry for you. What has It gained
for you except snubs? Who cares any
thing about you except that you fur
nlsh free entertainment? And now
this Tremalne woman tries to fool you
into giving her a tOken"--he stamped
his foot as he spoke and there was
prompt knocking on the radiator be-
low; Hat dwelers respond Instantly
to noise. "That's another thing. You
haven't helped me any so far, but I'm
going to see to 1t that you stop being
drag. | shall start the cottage at
once and the day It's finished we move
In. No more paying rent and carfare
when I have ground paid for and
ready. If you are too proud to live
next door to carpenter shop.
why" He stopped, longing to give
In and eat his words as he saw her
astounded face. She was his wife and
he loved her, but yet: life seems to
me an awful muddle," he thought
drearlly; Rita could be so fine-ln
fact she u.s." he finished Loyalty and
turned to her. She looked so slight
and fralI that he could not lay down
the law any further; perhaps she
would compromise
Rita had been running her hand abb
sently over the dusty windowsills. She
was very white but there were no
signs Of tears. George" she said
clearly, IL never noticed before how
tall you were, you look splendid. Why
didn't you tell me you didn't care for
my readings? | liked to be praised
and guess thought you would care
more for me II other people thought
me talented, but tonight when Mrs.
Tremalne spoke of some return do you
know | began to. as you say. wake
up? Poetry Is all very well, but after
all, ones husband" She seemed to
be searching for words as she exam.
Ined her dusty finger and the man
listening experienced great thrOb OF
thankfulness. "This fiat doesn't look
as It should, think 1t will be a dis
tlnct relief to move and start fresh
and have no foolish pretenses."
"Then you won't feel badly" he
knew he was weak, but he wanted to
make sure.
All the enthusiasm that she had
poured into her readings seemed to
have been DETECTED into this new idea
that OF making home life pleasant.
Rita wasn't stupid-she just hadn't
thought. II wonder II It's too late to
look over those plans you have for
the cottage? ! think I can promise
you a different looking place tomOr-
row night" Her face told him that
she had changed her Interpretation
of life.