Evening star., 1940-12-30

good for nothing bum walks out and
leaves this girl to get by however
she can-and she still believes he's
all right. And I think my marriage
is a difficult mess!
He recalled Wis remark the eve
ming after she'd heard his conversa-
ton with Mrs. Smith: I'm afraid
I've made a serious mistake in my
choice of a husband"
OF all the things that had been
said that night this ranked most.
Here he'd done everything he could
to salvage something from the wreck
their marriage had turned out to be,
and she credited herself with max
ing a mistake. He'd fallen under a
terrific debt burden because of her
father and made no complaint-yet
she talked of making a mistake
Here was a girl who really had
made a mistake. Mrs. Smith had
picked a man that didn't even try
to face the battle before him. Her
husband turned and ran away from
trouble-and she not only kept faith
in him, but retained her love for
him as we'll.
Well. il didn't matter much now
He had his work and that work
was beginning to be his keenest
interest in life. He found himself
coming to love these poor people
who needed help, and he felt real
pride that he was able TO help them.
His practice was growing and there
was deep thrill in that. 1t meant
that the people who had come at
first had gone away satisfied and
had spoken highly of him to their
friends. There still wasn't much
money coming in. but there was an
increasing amount almost every
week He was paying off his debts
and some day, when they were all
cleared away, he'd tell vi that a
divorce was the next thing in order
And he knew that she'd stay with
him until those debts were paid.
Practice Picks Up.
IF my practice keeps up at this
rate" he told vi that night. I'll be
able to clear up our debts in six
months"
That's wonderful, Gale. I'll be
awfully glad when they're taken
care Of"
I'm sure you will, Gale thought
bitterly. Then you will be free.
Then your moral obligation 10 stay
with me will be past. Then you
can stand on your pride and tell
me that Mrs. Smith is too much for
you to bear
And the thought made him so
deSolate and sick inside that ne went
and mixed himself a drink He
didn't know why it should. II was
just that thinking bitter things
about vi was revolving She seemed
so void of bitterness herself. She
seemed to try TO be honest and
fortnight. Only in this thing Of
Mrs. Smith had she acted unrea-
sonably. In other things she was
wonderful. But in that case she
was petty and jealous and small
and suspicious.
Il picked out your Christmas
present today, Gale vi said. break
ing into his thoughts as he stood
in the kitchen mixing the drink.
III bet you can't guess what it is. y
l. faI L11onl n h
face and he stood there stirring the
drink until the foam ran over the
rim of the glass. Gosh" he said
at last, I'D forgotten all about
Christmas. Only a couple of weeks
away, isn't it?"
A Gift for vi.
Less than that. And did YOU see
the invitations for Brenda and
Doug's wedding? They've moved
the date up. It's going to be the
Saturday after New Year. And
got two calls today inviting us to
parties for them during the holi-
days"
Gale returned to the living room
and sat down. How would it be if
1 gave you money for dress. in
stead of a regular Christmas pres
ent?"
vi sat up excitedly, her dark eyes
flashing. "Oh, Gale! That would
be wonderful! But can you-afford
it?"
Gale clenched his jaws and
nodded Yes, my dear"
vi was relaxed then. slumped
down in the chair with her hands
clasped in her lap and dreamy
light in her eyes. I'll be able to
get discount at the shop, and oh,
they have the most stunning black
gown, with little auxiliary jacket
of the sheerest-"
"Uh-huh?" Gale said, nodding
automatically as he picked up the
book he'd been reading.
vi looked up in surprise, then
laughed. We'll, you'll love it any
way" she said.
Christmas Gifts.
A few days before Christmas Gale
gave vi $75 dollars in cash. He'd
sent a note to each of the people
he owed money from the wedding
and explained that it would be i'm
possible to meet the payments that
week, and he was sure, because Of
his faithfulness up to then, that they
would not protest. And he was
right. Two of them took the trou-
BILE, in fact, to reply, saying that
they knew who it was around
Christmas.
And on Christmas eve he made
his regular call on Mrs. Smith He'd
completely forgotten about bringing
her anything and he felt deeply
distressed when he saw the tiny
sprig of holly hanging on her apart