The Washington times., 1938-01-20

out"
The Harlan cousins, grandSonS
of the Harlan whose picture looked
down from the wall, asked queS-
tions. The man talking was from
a distant city. He as well as the
man under discussion had been in
college with the Harlans.
1T all depends upon the woman,
I should say" spoke David Harlan.
IF you ask me, it depends on
the man." put in his cousin.
In Jim's case" said the visitor,
"it really wasn't his fault-the
failure or the subsequent action of
his wife. He had been considera-
tion itself for her-ShoWered her
with everything"
Bernard Harlan flashed a quick
look at his cousin, as he quickly
turned away.
BIGGEST MISTAKE
1.-THE biggest mistake a man
can make" he said, sis to spoil a
woman"
The man from the distant city
left. Bernard, twirling pen, con-
tinued on the theme.
IF we were to fail tomorrow,
Helena would be prepared. I've
always held out to her disaster as
q possibility, and we've lived on so
disciplined scale that reduced
circumstances would be no insur-
mountable hardship"
Il know" commented David
dryly. you've all thought I
spoiled Dorothy. The Harlan
policy back to our grandfather'S
day has never been one of gen.
erosity to wives.
According to you all, I've
babied Dorothy, heaped her with
gifts, smothered her to the point
of helplessness. Well, if she left
me tomorrow, I'd at least have
had these ten years"
Your policy isn't sound, tell
you. Look at jim. All he gets
for his generosity, when the crash
comes, is a note on the table"
Dorothy iS--Dorothy. She isn't
like any other woman that ever
was" He picked up the photo
graph in a silver frame. Merry
eyes smiled up at him. His own
softened.
Every man thinks that about
his wife-at least some time dur
ing their association. think that
about Helena, too, only differ
emily"
Everything I ever did for Dor
othy has given me as much pleas
ure as it did her-more."
II know, but-trips to Europe
furS, jewels, her own cars, serv.
ants-you've given her more than
q woman has a right to expect
except from men in the very top
brackets financially. Suppose any
thing happened to you"
81 carry heavy insurance"
II don't mean that. A crash like
Jim'S, say. What do you think
Dorothy would do?"
'"The prospect doesn't interest
me-"
But 1t should-for your own
satisfaction, if nothing more"
II know what you're trying to
say" David told him. you all
thought that because Dorothy was
poor girl when I married her,
the sudden access of wealth would
go to her head. Well, it never
has"
How would you know about
that? You've never lost it. Jim
thought his wife appreciated him,
too, as well as his possessions.
NOTE is SHOCK
poor Jim," said Dave, that
note must have shocked him"
Tell you what" Bernard's eye
cleaned with the light of specu-
lation, 1--WE proposition to make
to you. Let's send message-the
same one-to Dorothy and Helena.
Lets say We'll be late getting
home. We didn't want to tele-
phone the reason, so we're send
ing the notes. We're in conference
and the conference means-bank-
ruptcy.
I'VE kept it from them till the
last, hoping it could be averted.
Everything is lost-they must be
brave"
"I wouldn't think of it." from
David.
why not? After all, it's only
an experiment. We could time
ourselves to arrive at home short
while after the notes. That way
there wouldn't be much suspense.
Come on, stand to lose as well
as you. Maybe we'll botll be agree
ably surprised. There couldn't be
any harm. We could explain"
II wouldn't subject Dorothy to
such subterfuge."
Tell her later why you did it.
If the result is what you think
it will be, you'll be doubly secure
from now on. If it isn't, what does
it matter?"
The note went to the two wives
by special messenger.
An important client came in
just then and forbade the men
following the notes as quickly as
they had hoped.
When the client left, David
reached for the telephone. I'll
have to call Dorothy at once" he
said. THAT damned notell have
her frightened"
Dorothy wasn't in.
Drop by at the house with me
and see how Helena's taking it.
Bernard said, a swagger in his