Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1907-03-21
Her Luminous Hour,
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e@s'ss ~hAHNi tt'fhts W way vi NQudf
ing accounts with his conscience. Ant
when he found her gone quick feel
Ing OF resentment began To manifest
itself In the dull flush that rose 10 hi,
cheeks the ugly fash OF his eyes ant
the tight. thin lips.
Maynard forgot TO remember at this
Juncture that his evenings at home
were few and far between, his atten
tons 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 time he stood with his
elbow ON the mantel shelf. staring al
the hoor with angry. intent eyes
Presently he drew forth the tickets
and contemplated them grImly for an
instant: then his face changed, bright
ened. and ripple OF silent laughter
passed over II.
He changed his dress hurriedly
called a cab. and inside half an hour
was bowling rapidly over the CLEAN
ing asphalt.
Mrs. Chisholm was at home. yes
and would be delighted TO accompany
him to the 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 at Sherrys:
she would probably not arrive for an
hour yet. He settled himself as de.
jectedly-and as oomfortably-as pos
sible before the fireplace to await her
return.
Soon there was swift rush. then
the sudden cessation of wheels; the
gate clicked as the car chugged OF.
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 cheeks; her eyes sparkled
from the keen. frosty air and her hair
cleaned exquisitely golden high
above the black run that encircled her
neck.
Maynard stared at her critically for
a 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-enquiring; 1t had been
a long time since he had sat up for
her-since he had been home 10 sit
up for her.
1T was glorious." she said, break
ing the silence. You ought to have
been there. Eugene" She remem-
bered his quondam penchant for grand
opera and wondered IL the cares OF
business had completely absorbed all
the old tastes.
Maynard shrugged.
Perhaps II was your fault that l
was not" he replied.
Juliet questioned him with a little
startled glance. my fault?' she re-
peated, puzzled.
Il rushed through my work and hur-
ried home to take you and-well, you
see how 1t was" He spoke In a hurt
voice. gazing past her grimly.
"Oh. Gene!"
There was a brief. almost painful
pause. Then:
why, IL you'd only told me-" Her
tone betrayed genuine regret, but her
eyes shone joyfully. 1t was the first
time In many months that he had
given her any outward thought.
Maynard hesitated, drew q long
breath--and plunged,
whats the use of trying to keep
up the farce he said. sharply. I've
known all along that you'd lost inter-
est in me-"
Mrs. Maynard threw on 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, tremu-
lously, what a travesty!"
Ou, ne TttuiuSus uiSoSiSSoyys
You think so, do you? Well, ! must
say that women are impossible crea-
tures-that is ALL
"Eugene!" she broke out, swift
flush Of indignation coloring her
cheeks, you are cruelty unjust. You
know you have no right to talk in this
way to mel"
Maynard moved restlessly. Some
thing in her voice made him vince,
but he replied calmly:
"Oh, it's all right, suppose. A man
is 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 the
sting of his sarcasm. But after a
while she softened and new light
flashed over her face.
Dear she said, wistfully I'm
sorry. wouldn't wound you for the
world. You know that, do you not?
would wait for you for always, in