Detroit evening times., 1943-08-29

this that he had his New York attorney draw
the agreement, That she neV signed It, that
she didn't know whether he had or not, and
that when she asked him about it later he
told her he had left it with woman in New
York, along with his will.
That advancing years (Stephen is in his
sos Harriet her 30'sl had not impaired the
-petehey-ef his -ppeeiHg- -if4Aieeted- not only
by her willingness TO live with him on such an
uncertain basis but, even more strongly, by
the fact that in doing so she forfeited the S7eo
monthly ahmony she was receiving, as single
woman. from Mr.. French.
stephen celebrated the reunion by announc-
ing that he was going TO join the Coast Guard
However Harriet told the court, his first
attempt did not turn out happily. After vol
unteering his services as an expert sailor. she
said, he was put to a simple test which he
hunked by running his boat on a sandbank.
However. he remeded the poor impression
created by this incident, she added, by pur-
chasing a $4,000 luxury yacht at bargain
rates; so equipped he had little trouble win
ming a berth with the exclusive Coast Guard
Reserve in Florida.
They took an apartment overlooking the
Miami River, within walking distance Of his
job, and Harriet began her unhappy career as
a Navy wife.
stephen. she dcposed. allowed her $500 for
housekeeping expenses 500 month as pin
money. That seemed like plenty at first but
he was very unyiclding about it and the first
thing she knew she was deeply in debt to him
For instance. she says he told her TO hire
painters to redo their apartment, then when
the painters presented bill for $500, refused
TO pay it, denying that he had ever okayed
their hire. So Harriet declared. she had to
pay the painters out Of her allowance. After
which, dampncss scepcd through the walls and
she had to repaint the whole place herself
Stephen dismissed their part-time maid.
she says. thereby forcing all the housework
on her. and as though that were not enough
commandeered her meat coupons and wouldn't
let her have any OF the steak he bought with
them.
Also, she asserted whenever it looked az
though she might have a chance TO catch up
on her household expenses. he would inveigle
her into game of gin rummy, at which she
was consistently unucky. and soon she would
find herself more deeply in the hole than ever
Trying TO figure out a way 20 become
solvent again, she bethought herself of some
OF the outside work Stephen had been having
her do. For example, she had helped him re-
paint his yacht. had installed new windows
and latches on the vessel with her own hands
AS such chores did not seem to come under
the head Of legitimate wifely duties, she haz-
arded the suggestion that he pay her for them
He wouldn't have 20 do it in cash. she added
hastily but by reducing the sums deducted
each month from her allowance
But stephen, she says spurned the idea
proClaiming that no husband ever pays his
wife for the work she does for him.
on this issue they separated though not
for keeps -Four hmes,-HaFriet- declares, she
left him and four times let him persuade her 10
come back only TO have the old chickering's
over money start up once more.
At last. in an effort TO get things straight
ened out she induced him to accompany her
20 a Christian Science practitioner, a Mrs
Larkin. When Mrs Larkin advised 4 more
orthodox marriage ceremony Stephen is al
legged TO have baked on the ground that hers
was only lay opinion; he wanted an expert
legal one.
In dismissing his wfes separation suit. the
Florida court refrained from passing explicitly
on the legal soundncss Of the contract" mar
riage, so II is not unlikely that further law
suits Will follow.
Either that. or Harriet and Stephen will
vindicate the predictions OF close students Of
their on-again-otf-aEain marriage and rcunite
again. perhaps soeWnizinC the occasion with a
Hottentot ceremony dhis time.
THE AMERICAN WEEKLY :