The Minneapolis journal., 1901-12-18
One TRIP
B.yHIARIE ALICE PHILLIPS.

Bess rose also.
Where are you going, FRANKIE
''To the club he calmly answered
For a moment she gasped with astonish-
ment. Then pain, anger and wounded vani-
ty chased in quick succession over her mo-
bile face.
Our first evening together" she managel
to say, and, he still held his hat and
looked steadily at her, Has the club grown
so dear to you-that you can't give it up-one
EVENING""
"One has time to become attached to any
thing attractive in eight months" he said
especially if It represents ones boyhood
friends and companionship. The boys at the
club have been very good to me, and l have
come to depend on them. l would choose
them in preference to scenery any time,
think" he commented, with strained smile
All color and brightness had fed from her
face, and as she stood in the freight. her
white evening gown clinging about her, she
looked almost pathetic.
would like to know-the worst, Frank
Is it-any other %oman?"
NO." he said; II have never loved but
one woman, and when l found it was all a
mistake | suffered great deal more than you
VIII ever know. But 1t is all over now. she
didn't love me, and l have learned 70 do
without her"
pause. I'VE are on an equal footing now.
Bess' And he stroked the gray hair on his
temples without looking at her. 1T is not as
much happiness as-as the other way, but
there is not so much pain
Bess had lost all power of speech and was
staring at him with eyes almost set in their
horror. But he mistook the cause
/ Don't bother your head, Bess, about what
the world will say. 1t need never know.
! You bear my name, you are the mistress Of
my home and you are free to enjoy your
pleasures just as you see fit. You are vel
! come to all 1 have"
Except your love"
you had that, too, once How long ago
has 1t been, Bess? 1t seems years. Good
| night" he said as she made no answer THE
! old servants are here and you will be per
fecuy safe"
/ Still she said nothing, and he went out
| closing the vestibule door quietly after him
/ Bess recovered sufficiently to reach the wia-
| dow in time to see him move down the lighted
/ street toward the club.
'Oh, my God"' she moaned. What have
done? Have been dreaming all these
months?"
She was awake now. with ten thousand
| accusing deamons contending for the mastery
I of her soul.
Two months later Mrs. Raine was ushered
! unceremoniously into Mrs Ryals boudoir and
found a grave faced young woman bending
over the smoldering fire.
Oh my dear l am so fortunate to find
you at home!" was her CHEEKY greeting. Il
| am in the greatest hurry but I do so want
you to join my party to the Yellowstone Park
tomorrow. It'll lie such a glorious trip. I
telephoned Mr.. Ryals, and the dear, sweet
! man said he left it entirely with you. Really.
my dear, you are~to be congratulated Why,
/ Bess''-
Her hostess had risen and now stood facing
her, grayish pallor spreading over her face.
Don't speak to me of travelingl l hate
the word-the thought of boats and cars and
hotels! l want to be left alone-alone"
Frank Ryals was mounting the steps CT
his club when an imperous feminine voice
stayed his steps 1t was Mrs Raine and her
ordinarily gushing manner had entirely dis
appeared.
My dear boy, you don't want to stay al
the club this afternoon You really ought tC
run right up to the house. There's certainly
something wrong with Bess. She's been
treating me to a genuine case Of Mysteries
Imagine Bess in hystericsi And she won't go
to California with US. Oh, she's altogether
unreasonable! l left her in tears. You must
have the Doctor"
Yes, I'll phone for him at once Mr.
Ryals' voice and manner were calm per
functory. He raised his hat and mounted
two more steps. Then he paused irresolutely
Mrs Raines was half way up the block A
man addressed him lightly and entered the
door, and still Ryals stood undecided 4
strange light playing in his moody eyes.
''She won't go to California. I left her in
tears"
Tears for what? For him, after all,
Suddenly he turned on his heel and plunged
down the steps. A handsom was drawn up
at the curb The driver knew him well and
touched his hat inteTrogatively.
'Home!" exclaimed RyaIs, and then as the
handsom rumbled over the asphalt he mur-
INJURED in softer tones, "Home."