The Washington times., 1937-11-10

Anne surveyed the bright scene
wistfully. She and Dennis had col,
lected about them nothing but
bright and joyous things. Bit by
bit. For a year they had saved
and economical to get the gay'
blue Chinese rug for the living
room.
She could hear him now, splash
ing about in the shower. Denny
usually sang in the shower. To-
day there was no sound except
the rather grim splashing.
Anne's chin lifted a degree or
two before she seated herself at
the table. After all, she was COM
mitting no crime. She thought
fully poured cup of coffee.
Denny came in few moments
later, struggling into his coat. His
stern, young face drawn and nag
gard. and there was no answering
smile in his eyes as he sat down.
Silently Anne passed him toast.
OLD ARGUMENT
81 know we have been over
all this a hundred times before,
Denny" she said at last. But g.
please, dear, won't you try TO see
my side of it?" ,
1--WE could 60 over it a hundred
times again, Anne and still get
the same answer. don't want my
wife to work. That is all.
"It's a modern world, so I can't
forbid it.. but. I'll never feel
like a man again if you go out
of that door this morning.
"Anne. " he murmured. Il
know. my darling that I can't
give you half the things you want
and it almost drives me crazy.
But I am almost certain to get
a raise by the first, and then we
can relax a bit. Surely you can
wait that long,"
:. Denny" she said shortly. Il
don't want to be cruel. but
but the fact is L haven't had a
new winter coat since we were
married.
"I simply can't squeeze another
season out of it. If I was propos-
ing to go to some factory, might
be able to see your point. Dents
is a long way from being a fac
tory, and you know it,"
He got up and walked to the
window. For what seemed an
eternity he stood staring down at
the street below When he finally
turned to face her, his eyes were
expressionleSS.
Looks like you win" he said
slowly. IT =. I haven't any
comeback about the coat. I'm
sorry, Anne"
-" DEATH BLOW
Denny" she called. Mustn't
let him go like this. Anne knew
too well that her crude remark
about the coat would be death
blow to him.
He was so intense in his pride.
She sank down and buried her
head on the table.
Nevertheless, five minutes later
She was on a bus bound for Dents.
Somehow she would make him un-
derstand.
II want my wife waiting for me
when I get home at night" he
had always boasted. IT don't want
one Of these delicatessen brides
who dash in six minutes before
the old man gets home with ween-
les and potato salad" Anne
sighed.
A languid blond greeted her in
the dress department at Dents.
She was trembling and i'll at ease,
but nobody seemed much i'm
pressed.
And if she had imagined that
she was to start strutting about
in imported evening frocks and
mink coats. she was gravely mis-
taken. For quite some time she
did nothing.
About l o'clock a plump little
man hustled into the room and
stood looking her over for a mo-
rnent as though she were a prize
heifer.
- Get up and walk across the
room" he ordered coldly. Anne
obliged. The pluI p man seemed
lost in thought which. judging
from his expression, was none too
agreeable.
Posture all wrong, of course"
he said finally. mot quite tall
enough. d" He yawned. We'll
...go and tell Miss Davis in the
Misses to give you the works. And
If you don't click. remember
didn't hire you"
The rest of the day was spent
In getting "the works" Being
nothing more or less than a long,
weary walk. Back and forth.
Mincing and CT pering. Sometimes
with book on her head.
Again with the music from a
small victrola. There were other
girls receiving the came treatment,
SO Anne didn't feel too conspicu-
Gus.
BY 4 o'clock her head was split
ting, and every bone was protest
ing out loud. At five Miss Davis
wearily dismissed them.
BE here at nine sharp tomor-
row" she said testify. And please
don't forget what I have tried to
teach you!" Anne's brain was
registering exactly nothing.
AMPLE TIME
., There was plenty of time to stop
at the market and get a good,
thick steak. At least Denny
wouldn't be able to call her a deli.