Motion Picture Classic (Jan-Dec 1916)

r. Hugh Ellis listened outside his wife’s door. It was odd that she should have rushed up to her own room the moment her guests were gone, when she knew that he w a s expeeting her to return to t h e drawing-room. Dr. Ellis rapped lightly. “Norma,” he softly called. Norma did not re ply, but her husband caught a distinct sound b i n g within. He no longer, but, turning entered the bedroom, his handsome and intelligent face plainly betraying his concern. Dr. Ellis loved his wife more than anything else in the world — he cherished her. At the sound of her sobs the protective instinct of the male was awakened and roused within him to such a pitch that his voice shook as he sprang into the room, calling out, “Norma, what is it, girl? What is the matter ? ’ ’ Norma lay stretched face downward upon the counterpane of her bed. Her shoulders heaved and shook in a passion of grief and vexation. At the sound of his voice she sobbed only the harder, like a hurt child questioned as to its woe. Seating himself on the bed and throwing a protecting arm across her shoulders, Dr. Ellis forced her face toward him and, looking into the tear-dimmed eyes, once more demanded to know the cause of her grief. For a moment she clung to him and her sobs slowly ceased. Placing her hands on either side of his face, she looked long and steadily at her husband. “Hugh.” she said at last, “you do love me, dont you ? ’ ’ “Love you? Of course I love you— love you more and better than all the world beside. Has any one questioned it?” An explanation of her peculiar behavior suddenly suggested itself. Doctors were always the victims of a certain amount of slander. He re n o w had present wife ’svisirived that His tone grew those women been tors first ar afternoon, stern. “What have saying to you?” “Nothing,” said Norma, “nothing, at least, about you. But I was wondering, if you loved me, how you could continue to humiliate me.” ‘ ‘ I humiliate you ? ’ ’ There was outraged innocence in his voice now. It was one thing to stand ready to defend his wife against an outsider; it was another to be called upon to protect her against himself. “In what manner have I humiliated vou, my dear?” “By refusing to give me money,” said Norma, accusingly. ‘ When have I refused to give you money? I am sure I have never' refused to give you money when you asked for it.” “No,” she admitted, “but you have refused to give it to me until I asked for it. Today when my friends called they were selling tickets to a benefit performance at the Domino Theater. I agreed to take one, but when I came to pay for it, I had no money. I had to give it back and plead an engagement. You heard me say it as you came in.” “Well, well,” laughed the doctor, thrusting his hand in his pocket and bringing out his pocketbook, “is that all that is troubling you ? Here is the money. Why didn’t you ask me for it then ?” “You were busy at the time, and when you came in I eouldn ’t b ring myself to beg for money before them like a child — or a beggar ! ’ ’ Her lips were trembling ominously again, but she took a firm hold on her emotions and continued. “Why dont you ever give me any money of my own? Every time I want anything I have to run to you and ask you for it. I have no more independence than little Roy. Surely you might give your wife more freedom than you give your child ! Dont you trust me?” Dr. Ellis stiffened. “Certainly I trust you, my dear, but I dont believe in leaving business matters to women. Household accounts are just as much business as my office accounts. I am the one who makes the money, and I will be the one to dispense it. I have never refused you a reasonable request, and I am happy to say you have never made an unreasonable one, until you began asking for an independent bank account. That I must refuse you. I dont believe in it.” “But I’m not asking for an independent account — I’m simply asking for a joint account. Every check I make will show in the check-book. You will know exactly how the money is spent. I am in charge of the house ; why shouldn’t I pay the bills? I cannot get what I want from merchants when they know I do not pay the bills. 1 cannot get respectful service from the servants. The person who runs the household ought to be able to handle the household accounts.” ‘ ‘ Nonsense, my dear, ’ ’ answered her husband. “If your servants are disrespectful, discharge them. If merchants do not please you, change your merchants. I dont object to that. I cant have the whole family dipping into the bank account. When I run it, I know where we stand. If every one takes a hand in it, I know nothing. Leave that to me.” He rose, with an air of finality which indicated that, so far as he was concerned, the discussion was at an end. Norma was not so easily to be put off. “If you cant see the injustice of it. ( Seventeen )