The Coolidge examiner., 1934-03-16
FIRST JOB
81
Dv X. ri. WILKINSON
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Il wlsb the greater part OF the
blame.
Jocelyn was one % that kind OF
girls who never show when they
are hurt or depressed or feeling
T badly.
She could. for example. SIT 10 a
dentists chair and Jet the dentist
dril away oD a sensitive tooth. and
never once menuon that the pain
was terrific
II never occurred 10 her to com
plain or seek sympathy from others
or indulge 10 self pity.
She wasn't made that way.
She was the sort % person who
invites condolences. who is al inter.
esied listener.
She was. In fact. an understand
lns soul and wholly lovable.
But because Of this peculiar trait
in her makeup. II couldn't be said
that Bruce was wholly to blame.
Bruce had 90 way ~ knowing
that he was hurting Jocelyn
And he would have laughed bad
anyone else suggested such n thing
For Jpceiyn acted exactly tho same
when she and Bruce were married
The FIRST year and the second year
were perfect
Bruce was thoughtful and kind
aud very much In love wlth his at.
trartiyc young wife.
And his regard FOR her increa ased.
II anything. during the third and
fourth years.
But after all. a young man who
Is especially ambitious and extreme
" interested in bis work. and has
been married for four years. can't
be expected TO be Rs thoughtful as
bis wlfs would Ike to have him.
II began about the middle of the
third year.
Little things
Bruce forgetting sometimes 20
kiss his wife when he came home
az night. dropping into a chair and
removing his shoes and apparently
thinking os nothing else bui the re
Def from a hard days work.
Forgetting 20 take OF bis hat
sometimes when be met her on the
street
Forgetting to remark on new
dress she'd put on especially for
him for the tirst time
Referring occasionally 10 other
women and how smart they looked.
AZ frsi Iocelyn didn't mind.
She found excuses FOR him.
But after q whlle she began 10
notice. and noticing hurt
shed think about Il during the
day: alone AL day long witb moth
ms much 60 do but think og Bruce
and look forward 10 his hnmecom-
ing.
1t hurt when ihc hour of the
homecoming arrived ard BE- forgot
10 kiss her.
She began 10 brood aud the hurt
was more poignant
Il wasn't shoily Rruce's fault. be
cause Bruce didu't knos.
II be had known It might have
been different
lie might have tried 20 be a llI
tie more thoughtful and attentive.
but Jocelyn waS Always the same.
Always smiling. Always eager 20
/ listen TO his talk about his work. al
WAYS thoughtful aud sympathetic
and kind
I Never complaining. never dndlng
/ fault or letting him know she was
I hurt and that her heart vas aching.
Neser letting him see the longing
In his eyes. or feel the pounding of
Z her heart
And SO things drlfied along. and
I Jocelyn became more miserable and
unhappy brooded more and fell 10
1 wondering and schenIing and think
( Ing up ways TO win him back with
out letting him know he'd hurt her.
Those first four years were profit
able ones for Bruce.
lie was brilliant young man
and a plugger.
lie kept his nose 10 the grind
stone. and prospered In a mild sort
OF way with prospects OF a greater
prosperity In the future.
They moved three times. each time
into a larger and infinitely more
elaborate home.
Bruce was able 10 give his wife
about everything she could possibly
want: clothes and n maid and a car
to run around In and a liberal
amount of spending money with
/ which TO entertain her friends and
Z DO interesting things.
Everything TO make her happy.
Everything. he thought. because
he knew that the things he was Civ
I ing her were the things that most
women wanted that served 10 fulfil
I the ambitions OF their lives.
Bruce begrudged her nothing. was
glad he could do these things %
/ make her happy.