The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1900-12-28

MIS- right one nau iohb obo e''S
Helen the head OF the table. She COW
eted it, and Harvey was pleased to see
her there, and she herself cared moth
ing for petty distinctions.
The conversation moved on pleasant
ly, il a trine haltingly, and presently
Gladys announced her intention OF In
viting Mr.. and Mrs. Barr and one OF
two other friends to dinner.
II had thought of next Tuesday, Har-
vey, II you and Helen are disengaged
for that evening"" she said.
I'VE are, us far as I know" he an
swered, glancins at his wife.
Helen did not respond. She was dis
pleased that Mrs. Atherton should con-
template entertaining company at all,
and doubly so that she had addressed
her question to Harvey instead of to
herself. and went on eating her dinner
in her usual deliberate way. She had
fine appetite, and took excellent caro-
of her digestion, as wise young wom-
an should.
Then we'll say Tuesday evening"
said Gladys, all unconscious OF what
was passing in Helen's mind. and mis-
taking her silence for acquiescence,
she regarded the matter as settled.
1t was not until the very day OF the
dinner that she discovered her error.
BY this time she and Harvey were on
their old terms again, the GOODNESS be-
tween them apparently forgotten.
Helen's manner never relaxed; she had
her own grievances and resented them
in her own way. Gladys, however,
gave no evidence that she observed
anything amiss.
81 am sure you will like Mrs. Barr,
Helen" she said at breakfast on Tues
day, hoping to draw the younger
woman into conversation, for her per-
sistent lack of interest in any talk in
which she was not directly included
was irksome. "She is a girl after your
own style-an excellent daughter, now
a capable wife. l hope you will be-
come friends"
THANK you," said Helen, in wintry
tones. Il am not believer in married
women's friendships. My husband ana
my child suffice for me. A woman's
home should be her kingdom"
She glanced at Harvey for the ap-
proving smile with which he always
applauded her borrowed phrases, as
though every word were nugget OF
wisdom fresh from the mine, and add
ed trifle less deliberately:
81 dislike strangers, and care moth
ing for social pleasures, so l can not
truthfully say am sorry | shall not
meet Mrs. Barr this evening"
What do you mean, Nell? Have you
forgotten she is to come here to din
ner?"
mo; but you and 1 are to dine at
fathers. l promised him ten days
ago."
Helen spoke calmly, though her color
flickered as she encountered Harveys
astonished stare Gladys, too, looked
surprised.
my dear girl" Harvey burst out,
"why in the world did you not tell the
| mater SO Wucu ohO Webo ihonANo 49,
rangements for her dinner?"
Because she did not consult me. she
addressed you, and took it for granted
l had no engagements. l never oHer
unsolicited information"
Gladys saw an ominous look in Har-
vey's eyes, and rose hastily She had
no desire to witness matrimonial
squabble.
ut is not of the least consequence,
Harvey. l should like Helen to meet
Mrs. Barr, who has a great deal OF
social influence, but there will be
plenty of opportunities for her to do
so in the future, as | intend to open
the house to my friends again. | have
been living too quietly of late" She
looked full at Helen, and there was
touch of defiance in the manner OF
both. do not give, this little misun-
derstanding a thought. | shall not;
for it isn't worth it.
She had left the room before the last
word was uttered, and ran lightly
down the piazza steps to the garden.
What a woman!" she thought.
What hard, narrow, revengeful, sui
len womanl Poor Harvey! l hope he
may continue blind to the end. 1t is
his only chance for happiness"
She need not have been concerned
for Harvey. Already Helen, her arms
about his neck, her voice broken with
emotion, was making her cause good;
and although he could not see exactly
where Gladys had erred, he was soon
convinced that his wife had been wan
tonly insulted, and was grievously hurt
in consequence. Nothing could have
been further from the truth than
either conviction; but gazing into Sc
ductive eyes, tear drenched, pressing
warm, red lips quivering with sobs'
few men are wise enough to discrim-
mate between the Christening dews oil
sorrow and the bitter waters of spite
or envy.
Gladys dinner was a success. She felt
Helen's absence to be a relief. IL
seemed pleasant to have the house to
herself again, and to sit at the head
| of her own table. She threw on hel