anaheim-gazette 1926-06-24

Mr. and Mrs. Sallie being the Confessions of a new wife by Gladys Baker Illustrated by Paul Robinson Copyright 1925 by Publishers Autocaster Service Curtiss Goes—But Sallie Stays Home There was seldom a day that Curtiss and I were alone, for, at least once during each twenty-four hours, Letitia Evans managed to be there. She would drive by usually late in the afternoon and often stayed for dinner, the one meal where we had any chance for conversation, as our breakfasts were brief affairs when Curtiss read the morning paper without saying a word. All summer through Letitia had remained in town, giving the excuse that her interior decorating business kept her steadily Why was it, I wondered, that men admired the very things in other women that they disapproved of most in sisters, and wives of their own? on the job, but I had another idea about her reason for refusing to accompany her parents abroad. She was especially nice to me and was constantly demonstrating her affection in her shallow, superficial way. All the time, however, it was easy to see that Curtiss was uppermost in her mind. One afternoon she came by, as usual, and this time she brought an arm full of hot-house flowers for me. It was the maid's afternoon off and I had just finished preparing the evening meal. My face was flushed and I had not had time to change my bungalow apron for a frock before Curtiss also arrived. In spite of myself I seemed to be always on the alert for some sign of his interest in this girl and, as he stood in the doorway, I noticed how his eyes swept towards her and then rested with open approval on her face. She was wearing an exquisite frock of cecru lace and a picture hat of transparent braid that was exactly the cool, green color of the sea. The roses, still in her arms, made a splash of color against her lovely gown and completed a picture that was, indeed, most pleasing to see. I realized that the contrast in our appearances at that moment would have been apparent to the most casual observer, and so I excused myself on the plea of having to get dressed. Letitia and Curtiss made their way to the side verandah and I could hear echoes of their laughter even on the other side of the house. I tried to analyze my feelings as I sat before the mirror combing out my hair, which, because Curtiss had requested it, I had allowed to grow long. Why was it, I wondered, that men admired the very things in other women that they disapproved of most in sisters and wives of their own? Curtiss had declared on all occasions before he met Letitia, that he intensely disliked bobbed hair. He had likewise persuaded me to give up cigarettes and he squirmed every time I took a cocktail—even before a dinner or at a dance. We had also had many quarrels about the question of rouge and to keep him pleased, I had compromised by using it so sparingly that it could not be detected even in the strongest light. And yet, while all of his pet abominations were flaunted in his face in the person of Letitia Evans, she undoubtedly had found favor in his eyes. Before I had married him, I had been more or less of a similar type, for I, too, had belonged to the modern school, yet—for love of Curtiss—I had consciously disciplined my desires and, outwardly at WITH SERVICE COURTESY GAS the Indispensable Servant of your Home! For healthful heat, for instant economical cooking, for a constant hot water supply or for innumerable uses in your home throughout the year, gas service meets every requirement. You can do it better with Gas! Southern Counties Gas Company District Manager least, a complete metamorphosis had taken place. Apparently I had made myself over in a more conservative mould. The result was that he now seemed to take me as a matter of course and bestowed much attention on this frivolous young girl. I tried to reassure myself by remembering Mrs. Wright's philosophical wisdom for the moment, while I really furnished his background for the real things of life. At the same time it was hard to become accustomed to his indifference when Letitia was about and I had too much pride to mention the subject to him lest he think I was jealous of the girl. The situation was most difficult and was daily becoming worse. I returned to the porch and Letitia had gone. The fragrance of "Christmas Night" still hovered in the air. Now, I would at least have Curtiss for one nice, quiet evening alone and I sat down beside him, prepared for an intimate little talk. He replied in monosyllables, and while I was relating some of the events of the day, he absent-mindedly walked to the edge of the porch and, securing the evening paper, opened it and began to read. It was all done good naturedly and I knew that no offense had been meant, for whatever else he was, Curtiss was never intentionally rude, yet it took a supreme effort for me not to snatch the paper from his hands. In order to control myself I got up and went inside. When I had finished setting the table he came in and, walking over to where I stood, he kissed me affectionately and pinched my cheek. Once more my heart began to sing, and I was about to dismiss his former conduct from my mind when he spoke again. "Oh, I say Sallie," he began, "I forgot to tell you that we're going for a moonlight picnic tonight. Out on the mountain. Tish says she'll guarantee a moon." "But honey, why didn't you tell me sooner?" I complained, "everything's ready now and we'll have to have dinner here." "Not on your life! It's too hot in this house to breathe. Tish and I just made it up a little while ago. She's gone to get another couple and we'll go—just the five of us—most informally, you know," he explained. "I don't see what difference it makes to you where we eat. We'll just dump all the things in a basket and go where it's cool." "But it's not that kind of a dinner," I said, "for instance, if you had just told me sooner I wouldn't have prepared this kind of meal. I've cooked a delicious steak, and tiny new potatoes in cream and fresh asparagus and things that won't possibly do for a picnic lunch. Don't you see?" "No, I don't. You're always gumming the parade. All you think about lately is food. Why I'd rather go out and have a lark on the mountain in the moonlight and take along a loaf of bread and a piece of cheese." He flung himself out of the door. It was not fair of him to say that I was absorbed in food, for it did not interest me in the least. The only reason I had refused to go to a bridge party and spent the last few hours in a hot kitchen was on his account, and I had prepared the things of which I knew he was especially fond. It was all Letitia's fault! What difference did it make to her, just so she got Curtiss away? I stood still for a moment regarding the little table that I had set with so much pride. It had not been easy to cook a good, substantial meal, for although I had studied domestic science at school, it had taught me little more than how to make candies of various sorts. Then suddenly I made up my mind. They could go to the picnic, if they cared to, but I would remain at home. They had not taken me into their plans, so I would not be placed in the position of merely trailing along. I found Curtiss and pleaded a headache. I saw his unsympathetic frown and before he could reply, I urged him to go on without me and have a good time. "You aren't怕 cause I said what too hot to stick a lot of heavy fruit." "Certainly not smile." At the same time Curtiss had all eggs and sandwiches sort, which he food." What a make in a man! We were on this was dark when Charleston united that the men it was indeed its world floating lair sky. She had evidenced couple, and I lay the car. The rest and Curtiss would "All ready," she are out there with Clover Clubs' aid their impromptu intoxicated with moon!" Her whole manner was delight. Curtiss stood "Salle isn't good." "Why not?" hardly possible NOW THERE ARE 100,000 OF US SINCE January first 19,731 E consumers have become ners in the business, making of 100,000 stockholders. Expressions of confidence su this from the public we serve us feel more than repaid for th servative policies and careful agement which have safeguard this from the public we serve us feel more than repaid for the servative policies and careful agement which have safeguard every dollar invested with us the company came into exist thirty years ago. SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA EDISON COMPANY Truly it may be said "OWNED BY THOSE IT "You aren't peeved are you, just because I said what I did about it being too hot to stick around home and eat a lot of heavy food?" "Certainly not!" I replied, forcing a smile. At the same time I remembered how Curtiss had always ridiculed deviled eggs and sandwiches and things of that sort, which he designated at "rabbit food." What a difference a girl could make in a man's attitude! We were on the porch again and it was dark when Leittia arrived. She Charleston up the walk, and I noticed that the moon had begun to rise. It was indeed itself a large and golden world floating lazily in the soft purple sky. She had evidently corraled another couple, and I heard them talking in the car. The man was driving. She and Curtiss would sit in the seat behind. "Already," she cried. "Eva and Bill are out there with a Thermos bottle of 'Clover Clubs' as their contribution to their impromptu affair, but I'm already intoxicated with that perfectly adorable moon!" Her voice was excited and her whole manner was one of expectancy and delight. Curtiss stood with hat in hand. "Sallie isn't going," he said. "Why not?" she asked, and it was hardly possible for her to hide the singing joy she felt over this piece of news. "She says she has a headache, but I really think she's kinder peeved because she cooked a steak and a whole lot of things that she can't take along." "Ye Gods! Don't mention food on a night like this! Really, Sallie, old dear, you're getting too unromantic for words." And laughing gaily, they were gone (To be continued next week.) EMBARRASSING THE NEWLYWEDS Doris' mother was entertaining a young couple just returned from their honeymoon. Doris, feeling neglected, sat a little apart, reciting nursery rhymes in a loud voice to attract attention to herself. Little notice was taken of her until the conversation slackened a bit, then she was heard reciting, "Needles and pins, needles and pins, when a man marries—" she hesitated striving to recall the remainder of the couple. Suddenly her brow cleared. "When a man marries the cradle will rock," she finished triumphantly, and she wondered why she was sent out of the room. Riverside requires all dogs to be muzzled or on chain. RE ARE 000 US st 19,731 Edison become partmaking a total ers. idence such as we serve make paid for the cond careful manve safeguarded with us since we serve make paid for the cond careful manve safeguarded d with us since into existence CALIFORNIA COMPANY be said: DOSE IT SERVES"