Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1939-01-28

bed when you wished to and to get up
in the morning at any old time. One
night Editha, out of sheer willfulneSs
went to bed at a quarter to nine and
only got up the next morning at noon.
Then she could order just the food
that she cared for and have it brought
in, If she chose. on a tray. For years
and years Editha at home had only
I eaten what Herbert liked and never
what she liked.
| Very soon after marrying her he had
! apparently come to the conclusion that
she had no personality, and that he
had by mistake linked himself with a
nobody. In consequence he had never
attempted to bring her out but had
set himself to efface her as much as
possible. She must go through life as
his shadow, though, unlike his real
shadow, not always with him.
Finding herself unable, or not al
lowed, to help Herbert in any way ex-
cept as a patient, and generally I'M
appreciated, housekeeper, Editha had
had tirnid desire to strike out in some
humble way-not conspicuous Of course
for herself Ever since she could re-
member she had had a desire to
write" She had even written a few
little things in a college magazine.
Finding time hanging heavy on her
hands she had, in secret. written a
story. Unfortunately she had left It
lying about" and Herbert had come
on 1t.
what on earth is this rubbish2" he
had said, casting q contemptrous eve
over its typewriter pages. Who did
this?"
II did" said Editha. reddening.
What on earth for?"
Zines"
Don't be silly. dearl"
And he threw 1t into the wastepaper |
basket.
That little episode may stand as the
history Of Editha's life with Herbert.
Metaphorically he threw her into
the wastepaper basket and there. again 1
metaphorically, she remained during |
the whole Of her married life. In con-
sequence Editha was very little con-
sidered by those whom they knew.
Herbert thought her negligible and so
did most OF his friends.
In consequence Of this widely ac-
cepted opinion that Mrs. Bonstock was
; little nobody, and that it was very
strange such a delightful man as DR..
Bonstock should have married her,
5ditha's widowhood was not solaced
DIV the warm attentions Of a multitude
0f friends. On the contrary she
dropped out" If indeed she had ever
1ropped in.
At first she was so entertained by
Ter new freedom that she did not
mind the solitude Of her life and the
ack Of largeness and luxury that had
'een (partially) hers Herbert had liked
,entaltty, except In connection with
lis wife, and Importance. Therefore
ffR hnfgCa had hnnVa ~ /
run" in an important way and he
lad entertained genially in it.
There was nothing important about
5dithas tiny upper part and she in
ended to do" with only one servant,
nd cook who lived In the basement
nd did" for two or three sets Of
eople.
For while then Editha got along
lot too badly, and was at any rate
ar happier than she had managed to
e with Herbert. But as the novelty Of
he freedom wore off she began TO feel
ather forlorn and In need Of some
ccupation other than being Herbert's
isconsolate widow.
7 must find something to dol" she
hid to herself. ~And it must be some
hing that thoroughly like. Now what
Mould like best to do?"
And suddenly she seemed to see be-
ne her waStepaper basket, and q
rye, competent hand flinging some
ling into It, and TO hear q sonorous
ice saying, Don't be silly, dearl"
All That was It'll WritingI Shed be
lly. Shed be as silly as she possibly
,uld. No one was there to stop her.
ned buy manuscript paper, a box Of
lief pens, roll Of biotting paper, a
9 bottle Of Stevens ink, a copy Of
oget'g Thesaurus. and shed start be-