Evening Republican, Volume 23, Number 16, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 January 1920 — A PARTY FOR JIM [ARTICLE]

A PARTY FOR JIM

By MATTIE A. RAMSAY.

(©. l#2o, by McClure Newspaper Syndicate.) He had been chuckling to himself all day. For that morning he had leased an Apartment and had a big stirprise for Dorothy. TJiey had been married in May, upon his return from France, and on account of the house shortage, they had been obliged to live in a room and take their meals out. He was in the gayest of spirits. Dorothy, who, under the circumstances, had retained her position, .was home ahead of him. She was combing her hair. He bent over to kiss her and demolished her coiffure. She laughed and kissed his cheek and began combing again. Then with a boyish eagerness he told her of the apartment, how his sister had heard of it, how happy they -would be. And what a stroke of wisdom that had been when they had bought their furniture at the reduced summer rates. All day his thoughts had evoked such cosy pictures, and he had spoken with such enthusiasm that at first he wasn’t conscious of Dorothy's lack of spontaneous approvat =^ His cheerine?s vanished. He subjected her to a sharp scrutiny. “It sounds nice,” she returned smiling; “and we can talk about it after dinner. Come; I’m fapiished.” Her tone had been a trifle careless and noncommittal. Still, he told himself that he must not be too exacting. He admitted that it was rather highhanded of him to have taken the whole responsibility. He should have consulted her. Going back from the restaurant. he apologized, but the atmosphere did not clear, “Let’s have it all straight out, Dorothy,’’ he said quietly, once more in their room. He fixed his eyes upon her with an appeal that—stirred—her. —She knew, of his longing for a home; and with what gusto he talked of the fine housewarming they would have, if they only had a little flat. Two years ago, when he and his brother had gone across, his home had been broken upx — That she was not as keen about a home as Jim had never dawned upon Dorothy. But now that she was facing such a possibility, she was alarmed at her disinterestedness. Though she was sorry to disappoint him, she must speak the truth; though she smiled as she talked, he was aware of the sadness that tinged her reply. She didn’t want to give up her position. Today she had a raise of $5; now $35 a week. And she didn’t have the strength nor the inclination, after working all day, to putter around the house at night. Living was too high to give up $35. How could they meet expenses on S4O a week? “You silly boy,” she said softly, “you have no idea what clothes cost today.” She opened a box and displayed a new suit. “That cost me $100.” Jim flushed red. Her money; not his, he thought. And so all his beautiful dreams Collapsed. The reference to her raise and to his meager salary hurt him. She knew nothing of his scheming to earn extra and of his fine figuring; for he could show in black and white that if cost very little more to have a little flat. As the days went by, he felt lonely and depressed to an extent that Dorothy didn’t realize.—_ They never referred to that subject again. Jim grew sensitive about money. He never told her of his raise. One day Dorothy renewed her proposal of some time previous, which Jim had indignantly repudiated, that she be allowed to pay her share, and it was accepted with such alacrity that Dorothy was startled. Even Jim was surprised at himself. November came. One evening Dorothy went over to see her friend Jennie, who noticed at once a troubled, wistful look in Dorothy’s face. Perhaps she was beginning to realize that she was losing something worth far more than $35. Tears filled Dorothy’s eyes. Then she confessed that she had been househunting and was thoroughly disheartened. She wanted to begin where she and Jim had started, when they used to talk over all. the happenings of the day, Now they were almost strangers. Jennie had been begged to help and she did. Through her were located four rooms in modem apartments. Dorothy was jubilant. With gratitude, she assented and acted upon Jennie’s suggestion that she take Jim’s mother and Bister into her confidence, sor ’Jennie was anxious to see that breach spanned. The next week Dorothy worked hard and late. Everything was in its place. Jennffe thought she had never seen such a homelike apartment. She loved the look of the rooms, the good taste, and especially the living room, in the soft glow of that handsome lamp. It was three nights later, and Jim, as he supposed, with Bill, his brother, J were coming to make a call. - Dorothy was radiant and sweet. She knew that nothing mattered so long as Jim loved her and they were together. Jennie joined his mother and sister In the kitchen, who were rejoicing over the attractive party which had been prepared. They thrilled when the bell rang and the door opened. A moment’s silence. Then they heard Jim saying in the dearest voice, “Dorry, Dorry!" Then Bill came in. closing the kitchen door, grinning, and they all grinned T "y Anyway, BIT wanted to see that turkey. . ■ . -. ,/V '