Smyrna times., 1931-09-09
WEEKLY SOCIETY STORY FOR
EVENING ROUND THE LAMP
READING TO WHILE AWAY
TIME AFTER DAYS CHORES
"Crying Baby Changed Mary's
Mind an Interesting Short Story
Written by Ruby Gruber

MARY HAYNES sat before the
1fI large mirror of her dressing
table. Quickly, she daubed the
heavy cold cream over her pretty
face Her big blue eyes roamed
from her reflected self to the little
gold clock. Five minutes-she must
hurry. Her fingers flew as she
wiped away the greasy cream.
Miss Haynes, five minutes-can
for Miss Haynes" came a voice
from the other side of the door.
She turned to the shining black
face of Marie, her maid.
"Ah, Marie-I am so bothered!
Why can't people leave me alone?
l haven't a moment to myself-peo-
ple-people- old fools
with their flowers. and gifts, invi-
tations to teas, parties, societies,
and clubs. Oh, how | hate it all !"
Poor Mr. Bob Howard has been
waiting for an hour in the other
room. He wants to see YOU" Marie
rolled her eyes knowingly, a smile
on her broad features.
l will see him after the perform
ance. l must listen to him! / shall
be glad when he is in Europe"
Mary Haynes put her hands to her
head.
'Will that baby ever stop cry
ing? Show people with children
should be barred from the stage,
especially when they must bring
the crying infants right under ones
nose"
Gould l go in, and see what's
ailing the child? The mother is
just kid herself, and probably
don't know how to attend to it."
The maid spoke.
Il don't care what you do, but
don't bring it in here. If you must
fool around with a crying baby,
stay in their dressing room with
it," Mary Haynes regally left the
room.
Haughtily, she entered the stage,
and sang the song which 50 pleased
the audience. The myriad white
faces before her were wreathed in
smiles, hands were meeting in
thundrous applause. With a gra-
cious smile, she obIigingly sang an
other favorite, and as she stretched
her white arms forward, and light
~ kissed her finger-tips to her
loyal audience, she really felt her
heart 20 olt to them.
At last the velvet curtain closed
before her, and the orchestra
struck up the opening number of
the next act.
Slowly, she walked toward her
dressing room. Bob Howard would
be waiting. She was beginning to
fear this persistent young man.
Which would be the best way to
handle the situation, she asked her
self, as she neared the door.
Naughty Indifference? Or pal-to-pal
talk, reasoning and trying to show
him just what a career meant to
her? Or just a cc-d NO" to all
Of his pleas? Undecided. she opened
the door
Hello, Bob" she smiled, and,
strOlling over to tile mirror, wiped
the heavy lipstick from her mouth.
Mary, | am leaving the United
States" Bob Howard put a hand
gently On her slim shoulder.
Now listen, Mary, | love you,
have always loved you, and l guess
| always will You loved me, too.
until YOU became famousl 1t has
turned your head" He paused,
then hung bis head, abashed at his
Outburst.
"And suppose it has? l have
right to live the life ! want"
You can't tell me you like all
this yapping. and fuss they make
over you." Bob Howard finished de-
family. "A woman's place is at
home with her husbandr He
realized he sounded old-fashioned
the instant he had spoken, but
with small boy sullenness he
faced her
Bob. you are positively Vic
torian, making a statement like
that am surprised at you-that
settles the question for all time
/ could never marry anyone who
had ideas like that believe
hate you. Bob Howard"
Mary always say the wrong
thing. | mean this" Bob How
ard tried to explain. "You are so
small, so sweet, so-like you be-
longed in a home, instead of chas-
ing around over the country. day
here, and a day there"
I'VE will let the matter drop,
Bob. You run along to Europe. 1
will chase around as you term it. I
You may find a girl in Europe who
may be the kind of a wife you de-
sire"
The door opened quickly. The f
maid dashed across the room. In I
her arms lay the baby. 1t was not
crying now, only lying motionless. /
with closed eyes.
Miss Mary. take her, she's had I
a bad spell, sort of tainted awayl (
Mr. Bob. will you run and get a
doctor? want to get some water .
heated and hunt up some milk"
The frightened maid tenderly laid T
the bundle of baby in the staring
singers arms. Bob was already
out of the room. The maid dashed
out in her search for milk.
Morv Havpac cot dou-p ~ +Lo