The Press., 1906-02-07

SnOuIQ lose some OF It's tone IN Sucn
constant association as ours / have
been thinking that maybe it would be
better not to see each other quite SO
often. 1 couldn't bear to see that you
were growing tired of me-
Her infinite variety" he began to
quote, but she interrupted him with a
lift Of the kimono clad arm that set his
thoughts adrift again. I'VE must con-
slider the subject seriously, dear" she
said softly and plaintively. Suppose
we plan deliberately to keep new to
each other by taking some of our
pleasures away from each other"
Goodness, Betty" he exclaimed. II
thought we were married in order to
enjoy ourselves together"
1--WE did, but see how people get
after few years: The Thomases,
now, for instance-how different they
are! And yet l am old enough to re-
member that they were perfectly self
ish together at first. There are the
Ripleys too. They are congenial and
apparently the best Of friends, but
Mrs. Ripley doesn't seem to mind at
all that her husband spends the greater
part of his time away from her. 1t Is
only that dread such a phase in our
life"
He looked at her in surprise. Who
would have thought her capable of
such serious consideration Of a life
problem-thfs pretty creature of sun
shine and smiles? Just then a thought
popped into his mind. Suppose she
were already getting tired = just a
little bored with him! It would be
Hike her to contrive some tactful way
Of telling him. And then Betty had been
belle; there had been a score of fell
lows dancing attendance upon her,
even up to the very day of the we'd
ding. Perhaps she was feeling dull,
and no wonder, with such poor stick
as he as her only companion, even if
she did love him as she professed. He
pondered few moments, making a
great sacrifice, while trivially engaged
in slipping his fragrant breakfast cof-
fee. When he spoke his tone was
cheerful.
well. Betty darling" he remarked,
shat had not occurred to me until you
spoke, but you are right. There is
danger of OVERRIDING the devoted, and
we mustn't get tired Of each other-we
just must not! have not been to the
club-not since the wedding / will go
there to dinner this evening, and you
must accept one Of your numerous in
vitations. You have Dolly to go with
you, and will send carriage to be at
your disposal for the evening"
Yes" acquiesced Betty in a small
voice, keeping her eyes upon her plate
She had not expected her ideas to be
adopted with so little protest, and it
was not cheering to find herself so
correct IN her forethought.
He looked at her sharply for a mo-
ment. then came over to her side Of the
table and kissed her goodby most af-
fectionately. She longed to tell him
that it would seem like a month for
him to be gone until late that evening
before she should see him again, but
no-if he was already feeling the pull
Of the silken chain that bound them to-
gether she must not let him know that
she was aware of it. She sprang mer-
rily up, went with him to the door,
chattering about this and that, as
though her every thought was not of
the evening that was going to be so
lonely without him. When he turned
back at the corner for q last look the
wave of her small hand was positively
hilarious
The day crept by. At first her i'm
pulse was to remain quietly at home
for the evening. but he was going to
the club. and she must not be behind
him in carrying out the plan.
She accepted Mrs. Ripley's invitation
to hear Nordica with her. In the after
noon she dressed and went to tea.
wasted some hours over a visit to her
dressmaker and when evening finally
came she arrayed herself for the sac
rifice. 1t was no fun at all to fluff out
her golden hair when there was no one
there but Dolly to remark upon the eff
feet, and then Dolly was painfully mat
ter OF fact She would wear the violet
silk with the yellow lace cascades, even
IL there was nobody there to tell her 1t
pretty woman wore. It was a sort Of
solemn satisfaction to be making her
self lovely without the encouragement
OF an admirer sitting over In that big
chair, his knee over the arm and cigar
In his mouth, but at the mental picture
she smothered an irrelevant sob. Dolly
looked at her acutely.
"T-believe am about to take cold"
faltered the little mistress mendacious-
~. "My-my throat feels SO queer"
When she entered the box and threw
her great white cloak in a luxurious
heap in the chair behind her, Mrs. Rip |
ley glanced over her with look Of de- |
cided approval.
You were never prettier, Betty"
she whispered, land then 1t Is so SEN
sible of you not to be foolish about hav-
ing Tom Ellis dangling after you every |
where you CO."
THAT Ia what we agreed only this !