a PRIL 10, 1920

The Woman Who ' Loved and Earned

ov us: lulu.» A Modern ltory of Home n! luolnolc

CHAPTER. 94 UP T0 GERRY

' hen Mary snapped that short ' tence lit me. it fairly took my alh. She had hinted evei since -. grew to know Robert that he uld be happier with n home of own. She had implied at vari- ". times that she thought perhaps would be best for me to think ut living differently. But never she come out in such startling

I hion. ' ‘ n‘t go back?" I repeated aft-

er, "Why. Marv!"

es, I mean just what I say. 't go back! "See here, Gerry dith. haven't you proved in ‘ three weeks that if you gave i fihort a home and then, instead fl‘f0f'klng until you were so tired couldn't think. You helped him h? " uld in the end give you more’!

l‘ P ups not more money for a few

yflfl, hut more of the other things thqjworth-while things as Gardner ‘onili them k "But Mary! , ‘flake it or leave it, Gerry, but ' miildvice is good. Then there's er thing. I hate to make you 1 _-bad. to worry you but you p got to take Marlon Hovey " her cooking into conslde n-llOll.

.» rt is more than a little daffy

about her, ~ It wouldn't take many moire of her dinners, and her sym- ' y thrown in to season them, ske hinr belong to her. I s you realize things were / got ng pretty bad for you becnuse ' arion. But so far, no harm's Marion is a good girl. She v 't d) anything wrong. But _ rt's a man, and if you don't f on to him in the right way, , ~ find some way to get Marion. He'll make you divorce him or Qoniethlng so he can marry her." ‘tflut Mary-J’ _

- ‘fl know I don't express myself flroll. Gerry, but l guess you tumble to pay meaning all right. f you 16in Robert Meredith and want to - ipohd the rest of your life with him stay with him now. Take a llyttle flat—-you can live on what he . on -—nnywsy you won't starve on it. And give him a chance to "show w at he can do now that you hztvs lo him started. Then you can help hini. There's them windows to keep changing, and lots of things he will bring to you new

that you've started."’ ' " ‘Madame will be furious if I de- llfr. I told her I would come

ell you lied law's lady, Gerry. -. while it may be wrong to lie ally, if you make that one goo.‘ will be the, best thing you ever in your life. Ain't I seen the in Robert's eyes when we was v up at Billy, Wood's or June phy's and ain't I seen how jeal- he was of those two husband's nuse they had their own homes? y , Gerry, I couldn't have stood l not as long as you have, know-

‘ how he fclt and all." A But. I never thought he cared f: cry niuch~nnywuy not nniil nlply. When we talked it over he _| ays agreed with .me that I hud h, Ulater keep on until he ‘earned inure, and we had saved toward n mos home." -'_'.\Nhlch would you rather have, Qorry? A husband who is happy lovea you, and a simple home, husband who spends his time fli another woman while you are its, ' ing to have a home that when I ‘get it ain't no real home. but k a nice house that has made _ old before your time and lost

your husband " _ ou talk awfully queer. Mary, a girl who has nlwnys worked." I k ain't saying anything about working. If you had some men you ht go right. on selling hats till , I dlod. and they wouldn't care. v Dob has always wanted n home ' dfflflmod of it before he married _~ho told me so one day when fwent to see him when he was i l _V . lie said he uscd to plllli just. I v everything would be. Then he ' - rice you, the girl he loves, and o up go his dreams in smoke,

a a M I G wasn't veryhacl, but it pre-

ented work. and he had to 1 cal it quickly. Ho didmritlu

QR "678 m ua-u-uingsqmw

The antiseptic action pro-

‘ vented infection and the

‘l, Gentle heniin of Menthol-

‘ utum helped t o cut to heal promptly. _

HO wont back to work

enthololum Io a good hing to

. "9 h-ndy ior"littls ll whom. "IIIII. nervous headache, etc.

"veer. . an, Inch! . v ‘Iilllbllsfillc. IJ. you.

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"Tu L"!!! Nona [or Llilll llll"

EXBESSIVE Ailllllll

ilgemlzottom of most

KIMIIIIIS

for Indigestion afford Icon-i "ll Illa Prompt reiieffrom the, distress of acid-dyspepsia, mo: av soul-fa sown: ' minus or soorrs mum

and down you set him in Mrs. Lane's boarding house. Oh, Gerry, have a heart! =Doi Try it a year-—- then if it don't work. and you haven't cut-Marlon Hovey out, why go to seling hats again and let her have Bob.’ ' '

"You queer girl. But —— well, I'll think about it, ‘Mary. I feel bet- terfor talking with you. Thank for coming."

"Thank me after you have tried my recipe! dt will work, I know."

Then she left lme without trying to exact apromise. as I feared she might.

INDECISION

CHAPTER 95

I did think over what Mary had said. I trlcd to look at it from every nn-gle. And I tried to put my personal feelings out of the ques- tion—my feelings as regarded earn- ing money, m-y independence. and my love of good clothes. The hard- est of all to battle was the loss of independence. It isn't easy for a girl who has always had her own pay envelope to give it up—~even for love. '

I bud earned my living so long before I married Robert, I had been accustomed to my own mon- ey lo- do with it as I pleased, how could I endure to ask him for what I needed?

Each time this thought came, I felt sure I could not give up my posi- tion, thnt I absolutely could not be dependent. upon anyone, even Ro- bert. I recalled all the stories I had heard or read of women who had to ask their husbands for every cent they spent; and how it was given grudgingly often, or an ao- counting required. '

"That would be awful!" I said to myself. "Think of saying to Ro- bert I want u dollar for this or that. It. would be unbearable.

I did not think that Robert would ask me whalt I had done with mon. ey he might give me, but we would have so little I wouldn't feel I could take it without telling him what I needed it for. _

If anyone thinks I had an easy problem, I wish -I might put them in the sumo position. I bad earned mor than Robert. to had no best tancy in indulging myself occasion- nliy in little extravagences that would be out of the question if I stopped working. Not that I bought useless things, but nice powders and perfumes, a bit of real lace for a collar, silk stockings, and so forth. Then -I was fond of the theater and had always‘ paid for the tickets without saying anyth- ing'to Robert. If I gave up my position at the shop I would also have to give up all these things. I hall now bu-t a week to decide.

As may be imagined, in my un- decided mood, the days seemed fairly to fly past. Each night I would say to myself. "I must de- cide tomorrow—l will!" and each night I would still be uncertain.

Mary and Gardner came up after dinner and spent one evening. but Mary did not refer to our talk in any way, even when we were alone. I thought it strange, yet was glad she didn't. It was my problem now. She had told me all she thought might help me. I know, however, she was thinking of it I caught her several times looking at me in a peculiar manner. then glancing qulckLv away when she thought_I had noticed.

“What's all this Mary tolls me. Robert, about your bringing Burch and Company up to date?" Gardner asked.

“Oh, they wcrc so old fogie they couldn't do business. I just made n suggestion or two. Really, Gerry has done all that has been done."

"Bully for you Gerry! A wife who holps hcr husband make good is worth ltnving." I knew by Gardn- er's tone that. Mary had told him something of my work with Robert, null that he realized we would both be more comfortable if he pretend- ed ignorance.

"Of course I am worth having.

. Gardner Kenyon! I am surprised

that you over had any doubts on this subject."

"That's right, Gerry, givn it to him. I used to be a bit jealous of you, Gardner. Gerry sang your praises too loudly to suit me. But l'll forgive you seeing you ure go- ing to marry Mary," Robert said in a joking tone, but making me flush a little. It never had entered my bend that he was, or would be jeal- lous of Gardner. But I remem~ bored I used to praise him, call him clever and so forth.

"You people will be quarrolling if I don't lake Gardner away," Mary sold, "and you must rememb- er I nm a poor working girl, and need my sleep."

Just before she said she whispered: _

"Madame said today you would be back next week."

"Did she?"

"Yen. Are you coming back Ger‘ ry’! All the girls will be glad tosee you," her tone was very queer.

"I'm not thinking of the girls Mary. I nm thinking of Robertq and myself." .

"Then you haven't decided?"

“N03.

"Come along, Mary! I thought you were in n hurry." Gardner tool; her ajrm and hurried her sway.

OIRRY MAKES UP HER MIND CHAPTER D6

goodnight

The next day was Friday. Msdmno expected me back Mon- dnv. I wu utterly miserable. I

onnl-l - l myself at nothing. but ' ronnlr-l or Hind tits tiny flat, talk-

ing out loud, going over everything I could think ofpfor and against the giving up of my position.

Finally I could stanll the nerv- ous strain no Ionger, and put on my hat and coat. I would go out and take a long walk. Perhaps I could think better in the open. more easily make up my mind.

I walked until I was tired. Then without having come to any con- clusion, I went down to the store. I had promised Robert I would come down and help him with the windows. Borne new goods had come in, and he was gglng to re- dress the wlndows for Saturday.

"l bud begun to‘ think you had thrown me down." he said, smiling at rue.

"No I took along walk this after- noon, und didn't allow quite time enough to get here promptly."

We had scarcely commenced to _

work when the telephone rang.

"Answer it, Gerry, will you?‘ Robert was on a step ladder get- ting out some goods we wanted.

“Has Mr. Meredith gone yet?" It was a woman's voice—Mnrion Hovey's I felt sure. _

"Some one to speak to you, Ro- bcrt."

"Ask them to hold the phone a moment. I don't want to climb up here again."

"I did so, and the voice sweetly acquiesced. Then Robert went to the phone. . -

"fi-Ijnllol-oh. lVIaltlon!—No, not tonight-too bad—-can't be helped. No-Mrs. Meredith is here. We are going to the motion picture show when w.) get through here and have our dinner. She is helping mo — yes, trim the windows. Sorry-no —I'm afraid not—if I can-won't promise—good night."

“My, I thought she never would stop talking," he exclaimed in n tone that made me feel like patt'ng him on the back. _

"What did silo want " I asked as carelessly as I could.

"Wanted me to come up to din- ner. Then naked me to come up to-morrow night. Must think I haven't anything to do." This time I could have shouted for joy.

I said uo more about Mnrion, but put my mind upon the work, and in less than on hour we had finish- ed. Thon we had sonie dinner at a very good place near the store, and afterwards went to the movies. We were just in time for the 9 o'clock show.

It was lnte when we home, almost 12. _

"Want. some supper, Robert?" I

“Do L" I

"Really are you hungry?"

"Yes, und we won't have these cozy supars much longer," n shad- ow crossing his face.

“Why yes we will——thnt is if you can earn enough to buy them."

I had not knowingly decided I would not go back. The shadow on his face, the way iic had talked to Marion, the thought that she still was a menace to me, calling him at the store—msy all havehad their effect o.n mo. But Robert was no more stirprisccl than I. He turned pnle, willie I felt as if every bit of blood in my body had rushed to my face.

“What do you mean, Gerry?"

“Just what. I said, dear. I shall not go back to Madame Leets on Monday. That ls, unless you send me." -

"1 send you-J’

"Yes. Unless you are nfruid to try running things alone." It was hnrd even to imply he nccdod my money that. wo might Iiuo.

"And you'will try to got along on whnt I make?"

..Ycs_.. .

"Oh, Gerry! I-—"

"Robert, let's be renl sensible about it. I am going to find n little flat. I um going to keep house for you. You are going to tnke care of me. I believe you have a chance for advancement with Burch. and I also believe you will know how to make the most of your oppor- tunity."

"And I am to have a real home at last? Not even Mary's, but one of our very own, yours and urine. Gerry!"

For tho second time since I had the tears from his eyes. But this time he smiled so hsppiiythrough them, that. my own eyes misted. He hnd cured more than I realized.

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HOME HUNTING

. CHAPTER 97.

It was almost morning before] either of us slept. I would almost lose myself and Robert would sud-l denly speak of some plan to Pllfih things at the store, or voice [some of his delight at my decision. Phcn wide awake again, I would wonder how we were to manage; if we could possibly live on what ho earned; and also if I should regret having acted so on impulse.

What had made me do it?

I asked myself that question over and over. I knew I had not made up my mind when I went to the store to help Robert. Neither had I decided when we reached home. The words had come of their own volition. I must now, in fairness to Robert, stand by what I had sai- until he proved himself incapable. I must at least give hlnru trial.

If any woman who reads this story of my struggle to do what was right, any business woman, thinks it was easy for me, now that the die was cast, to think of the loss of my salary with equanimity, they never have builded them- selves a responsible position. cal-l- ing for fair if not generous remu.. aeration, and then given it up be- cause of an ideal-the ideal belong- ing to the mnn they loved.

in my thoughts I did not minim- ize what I had done in the least. I knew my own worth in the busi- ness world; I knew Robert's limi- tatlons—or thought I did. It was my love [or Robert, my four of los- ing him that had actuated lne —- nothiug else.

I had no relish for the position of. poor man's wife minus my pay on- velope, I cured nothing for domes-

i

ticity. although I did ml -'\i~ "re the housekeeping as I he . 5. ‘ <1. I would. What had trouble» . t m in since we had lived In It.‘ ' at, had not been the work-it had been the lack of enough to do to‘ keep mo busy.

I had been accustomed for years to working from 9 until 6 or 6 o'clock; during these hours I had scarcely an idle moment. But two hours at most had taken care of the flat. I had already begun to feel restless, ennuied with my own company, wistful for tho busy days at the shop.

No apartment we could afford would require much more time. i couldn't read all these hours away. Tile future looked rather unattrac- tive, save when -I thought of the look on Robert's face when he un- derstood that I meant I would trust him to tnke care of me. The mem- ory of that look was all that stood between me and regret for my im- petuous action—impetuous even though I had been considering it for weeks.

“Going flat-Iiunting today?" Re- bcrt-asketi in the morning. Ho hatl once more told me how happy he was, had taken me in his arms and solemnly declared he would make good.

"Don't go too far away Irom the store, dear," he said. "Add cnrfzlrc to the rent. I need the walk if I am going to keep tit." Already he was planning to be ‘lit’ so he might succeed.

Ihunted two entire days before I found anything we could afford. Then I found a tiny four-room flut up two flights of stairs, in a respectable neighborhood -— al- though too far east to be at all fashionable as to either people or prices. The agent promised to paint all the woodwork white for mo. to stain tho floors, and repapcr the living room. I made it mental vow to paper the dining and bed- room myself rather than live with that. ugly sprnwly’ patterned stuil’ that made the small rooms even smaller. I knew we could not 0f- fortl to have it done.

In a week we movedln, and Mary once more took possession of her Lures and Pentitos. Mrs. Lane seemed sorry to have us leave her boarding house, but after expres- sing her sorrow, added:

“Mr. Meredith will like house- keeping. »I know he wasn't happy hoarding."

“What makes you think so " I was frankly curious.

“Whywjust tho way he noted. He's the kind that wants ills own home. That kind ain't never hap- py boarding." Her explanation told me nothing, yet Lunderstooo. She had seen his unhappiness and had iudged its cause.

I lltlfl willfully blinded myself to hoth. '

READV son COMPANY csarrsn o2.

Until we were settled -I hadntn moment to think or regret whntl

knew she would be, furious at my desertion. She hall offered me a substantial increase if I would re- consider and come back to her. l had refused, and I had also failed to mention it to Robert. It might. discourage him if lie knew 0f' the offer.

I had drawn what little money I had saved to furnish our new flat. We really looked very nice when it was in order. 1p-

“You'd make n home out of s. packing box, Gerry. Anyone with such good taste can do so much with such a littile money." I hnd told him what I had spent.

I had bought only the simplest things. but substantial. I had mods dainty itiuslin and cretonne cur- tains, bcd covers, and so forth. The few things we had when in the boarding house helped-tho chair Mary had given us, my lovely lamp. cushions and so forth, which had not been extravagance-i when [was earnin , but which I would not have the circumstances.