The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-07-17
Given HOmeODathicTrea


But, Aunt Susan, you don't really
mean that you have told her?''
Indeed, have! 1 don't intend that
any niece of mine shall behave like a
blind little fool if 1 can help it; and,
what's more. I'll tell John himself just
what 1 think of him if Gwen doesn't
do something to stop this outrageous
Irritation" Miss Susan Trowbridge
gave d vigorous little jerk TO her bon
net strings that. in a way, suggested
the end to which she would like to
bring John Griffiths.
Poor GWenn' commented her sister.
'Of course she ought to know about it
suppose that she really is so blindIy
in love with her husband that she can'r
even see that he is flirting with another
girl / wonder how she will take it2s s
In the meantime the subject OF this
wonder was sitting at her own little
writing desk, running her fingers
through her prettily ruffied hair ana
considering what she would do about
it all. She knew very we'll that her
husband. to whom she had been mar
ried only year and a half, was flirting
with Marian Holsted, and that societ.
was gossiping about it. She realized
that she must do something. and quick
/ ~. Presently she smiled and wrote this
nota
Dear Miss Holsted-Won't you dine
with us tonight and go to the theatery
Hoping that your evening is free, I am.
A messenger boy took the note and
brought an answer:
/ Dear Mrs. Griffiths-It's so good of
you and Mr.. Grifiths to want me. and
/ III be delighted to be with you Al~
ways yours, Marian Holsted.''
At the insertion of Johns name in
this note. Mrs. Griffith's straight eye
brows described little arcs
I've asked Miss Holsted to dine with
US and go to hear 'Nethersole' i" she ex-
planned to her husband. "It'n be nice to
have her; don't you think sop &
Why. of course, If you like her,
dearie,'' he said. after a suspicious
glance at his wife. Il didn't know she
was one of your chums. though"
MOP" The tone was neither an af-
firmation nor a denial. and Gwendolen
turned to her dressing table and began
to arrange her hair. shes awfully
/ clever, isn't she. John?"
Yes, I believe she is so considered
/ he replied, in tone that conveyed lack
of interest and knowledge.
Gwendolen was now adding the finish
ing combs and pins to her yellow locks.
Il think Marian Holsteds hair is the
prettiest I've ever seen love that blue
black hair; don't you, John?''
I don't believe I've ever noticed
Marian Holsteds hair particularly re-
piled John. She could see his tell tale
expression in the mirror.
Marian Holsted was exceptionally
pretty, gay. clever and witty. She was
a flirt by instinct and training. She
.
sure of herself. She was now trying her
hand on married men. John Griffiths be-
I ing the fourth or fifth in the series.
/ When pretty Mrs. Griffiths sent her the
dinner and theater invitation, Marian
Holsted really felt sorry for the foolish
little wife.
During dinner and in the theater Crit
fiths was forced to devote all his atten-
ton to the guest. He didn't mind at
ALL on their way home Gwendolen
pleaded WEAKNESS, and asked to be driven
home first, apologizing to Miss Holsted
for having Mr.. Griffiths drive her home
alone.
! The next day when John came home
to luncheon he found Miss Holsted in
stalled in his wife's little morning
room.
Now. there are times and seasons for
all things. even hirtations, and Johns
only thought on seeing the dark-haired
beauty was one of annoyance that
Gwendolen did not appreciate the one
little hour they could have together in
the middle of the day enough to keep
it sacred to themselves. His greeting
was most cordial, however, and neither
the wife. who knew all the intimate
infections of his voice, nor the girl who
was studying them,s detected aught save
pleasure in the unexpected meeting.
Miss Holsted wants US to come up
this evening to see some photograp hs
her brother has just sent home from
Manila said GwendOlen sweetly. II
| told her we'd be very glad to 60 You
would, wouldn't you, dear?"
Just then John didn't care a rap. but
when evening came he was glad enough
to see Marian and to continue the plaS
that has for its puppets fragile little
hearts of clay.
The following day, at Gwendolen's
led them to church, lunched with them
drove in the park in the afternoon
During the following week she dined
with them twice, went to the theater
/ 81 <.F -
an auction sale of a dead artists draw
ings, and three times she 1unched with
them. John began to look forward with
intense eagerness to Saturday, on which
day he and his wife had arranged to
start on a four days trip up the sound
in their yacht.
Just by ourselves, John" Gwendo-
len had said, when they had made the
plans, but that had been some two
| weeks before.
I've got a beautiful surprise for you,
dear" Gwendolen began, addressing her
husband Marian is going with rs
up the sound tomorrow
Never in all his life had John seen
four longer days than those that fol-
lowed. His wife insisted in early break
fasts and midnight suppers So the
days seemed interninable She devoted
herself to Major Cotton. and made her
husband give all his time to Miss Hol-
sted The poor man was kept on the
jump half of the time.
During all this time Mrs Griffths was
apparently absolutely happy. Miss HoI-
sted played her part gaily and cleverIy TO
the bitter end although the yachting trip
had not been many hours old before she
had commenced to see through Mrs. Grit
fths' little scheme and to realize its
probable success. She was forced to ac-
| knowledge that her hostess was a much
oieverer woman than she had given her
credit for being.
She knows how much of a good thing
is too much" she said. Champaign
from morning till night will weary any
man. and she IS giving her husband
quarts of it,. Miss HolSted showed her
self clever woman She realized when
she was beaten.
On the night after their return from
the trip Gwendolen was talking il all over
with him.
1T really was awfully pleasant wasn't
it. dear p" she concluded. Il believe IN
telephone and ask Marian to come to