The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1906-12-06
Her Luminous Hour,
BY NELLIE cRAvEY elLLMong

care for him seemed to have flung
him into the depths of gloom, He had
hurried home with tickets for the
opera. meaning to give Juliet her
seni,annual outing, by way Of sQuar
ing accounts with his conscience. And
when he found her gene quick feel
ing of resentment began to manifest
itself in the duh flush that rose to his
cheeks the ugly flash OF his eyes and
the tight, thin lips,
Maynard forgot to remember at this
1uncture that his evenings ut home
wore few and far between, his atteu.
lions to his wife fewer and farther
and that both had gradually acquired
the custom OF finding their own sep.
arate pleasures. or diversions.
For some timo he stood with his
elbow on the mantel shelf. staring at
the Hoor with angry, intent eyes.
Presently he drew forth the tickets
and contemplated them srImly for an
instant; then his face changed. bright
encd. and n ripple of silent laughter
passed over it
He changed his dress hurriedly,
called cab. and inside half an hour
was bowling rapidly over the glcam-
ing asphalt.
Mrs. Chisholm was ut homo, yes,
and would be delighted to accompany
him to tho opera, despite the infor-
mality.
After the performance Maynard re-
turned home moodier than ever. In
the note his wife had left him Juliet
had mentioned supper ut Sherry'u:
she would probably not arrive for an
hour yet. He settled himself as de.
Jectedly-and as comfortably--as pos
| sible before the fireplace to await her.
| return.
Soon there was swift rush. then
| the sudden cessation of wheels: the
| gate clicked us the car chugged OFF,
and Mrs. Maynard came lightly into
| the room, the swish of her long,
| graceful evening gown making subtle
music about her. A charming pink
/ was in her checks; her eyes sparkled
from the keen. frosty air and her hair
cleaned exquis:tely golden high
| above the black ruff that encircled her
| neck
Maynard stared at her critically for
! moment as she came up to where
he sat and began drawing OF her long
| black gloves. She was decidedly
pretty woman; no one could fail to OBJ
serve that. She glanced at her hus-
band, pleased-cnquiring 1t had been
a long time since he had sat up for
her-since he had been home to sit
| up for her.
1T was glorious!" she said, break
ing the silence. You ought to have
been there, Eugene" She remem-
bercd his quondam penchant for grand
opera and wond cred IL the cares OF
the old tastes.
Maynard shrugged.
Perhaps it was your fault that I
was not" he replied.
Juliet questioned him with little
startled glance. MY fault?" she re-
| peated. puzzled.
Il rushed through my work and hur-
ricd home to take you and-well, you
see how it was" He spoke in hurt
voice, gazing past her grimly.
"Oh. Genet"
| There was a brief, almost painful
pause. Then:
why, If you'd only told me-" Her
tone betrayed genuine regret, but her
eyes shonc joyfully. 1t was the first
| time in many months that he had
given her any outward thought!
Maynard hesitated. drew a long
breath-and plunged.
What's the use of trying to keep
!
known all along that you'd lost inter-
est in me-
Mrs. Maynard threw off her ruff
and stood staring at him in wordless
surprise. Then she laughed, bit hys-
terically, and sat down beside him.
You silly boy she said. trcmu-
lousy. what travesty."
oh" he returned, disagreeably,
you think so, do you? Well, l must
| say that women are impossible crea-
tures-that is all
"EuSene!" she broke out a swift
flush of indignation coloring her
cheeks. you are cruelty unjust. You
| know you have no right to talk in this
way to me-"
Maynard moved restlessly Some
thing in her voice made him vince.
] but he replied calmly:
"Oh. it's all right. suppose A man
is a fool. probably, to expect his wife
to stay at home waiting for him when
there are SO many more agreeable
| things in the world; he has no right,
! perhaps"
Mrs. Maynard was silent. her eyes
| filling with quick tears under tie
sting of his sarcasm. But after a
! while she soetened and a new light
! flashed over her face.
Dear" she said, wistfully. I'm