Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1908-09-25


her strength, and with head proudly
erect and shoulders militantly braced
back she entered the parlor.
Joslin came forward eagerly.
at was good Of you to see me-" he
cried -" was afraid, from what your
mother said, that you were too III to
receive any one."
81 had q headache" she explained
listlessly. keeping the table between
them that he might not kiss her. Prob
ably he had kissed hat other girl.
Its too bad about the poor head"
cried Vance. 81 wanted you to come
to dinner with me. We will go to the
Trocadero and have just the best we
can find. or well go to the Alhambra
IL you prefer that. The music is bet
ter there, but the cooking is not as
good"
For a moment Nell could only stare
dumbly. lie wanted to take her to the
Trocadero, where he had taken that
woman for lunch. The thought was
impossible. Probably his conscience
smote him and he wanted to compro-
mise with 1t.
T don't think that / care to go to
the T~rocadero," she said, adding mean
ingiy: "I was there this afternoon for
lunch I met some OF the girls, and
they insisted upon my going with
them"
+Then we'll go to the Alhambra," he
offered What time did you have
lunch?"
"About 2 o'clock" answered Nell,
watching his face closely for signs Of
confusion. Instead be merely gave a
whistle of surprise.
IT was there about then" be declnr-
ed In mild a~stonishment
T know you WERE" admitted Nell.
1T saw you"
II don't blame you for not speak
Ing" he said, with a short laugh. But
why didn't you send the waiter for
mel I would have come over to your
table,"
"It seemed a pity to disturb you"
retorted Nell. You two seemed 90
much interested in each other that l
did not like to interrupt. You told me
on the telephone that It was a bust
ness engagement"
But that was not the engagement"
explained Vance. you see, l was to
lunch with old Mr.. Bingham to talk
about that infringement case. / was
on the car on my way to get him, and
a blockade brought US to a halt. l got
of to walk. as l was late, and Bing-
hams Office was only a couple Of
blocks away, and I ran right straight
into this girl"
"She didn't know me at first, but /
told her who l was, and she accepted
my invitation to go to lunch, so l
slipped In and excused myself to Bing-
ham and took her over to the Troc. |
knew that she would appreciate the
chance to show Off all her finery In a
place like that, and l guessed right
She was tlckled to death"
you seemed well pleased yourself"
suggested Nell maliciously.
"Why notT' asked Vance. '"That was
Sadie Webster, the girl who could
and did-tell me all about that Myths
case. Well win that now. and 1t
means that we Hive In our owrr-frcAaee
instead of In a fat That's why l want
you to come out and celebrate"
"T1l get my hat n a minute" prom
ised Nell. Then she paused as the re-
membrance of that letter she had writ
ten came back to her. "Ill go on one
condition." she added.
"On any condition." promised Vance
laughingly. You have but to name It."
you mustn't read a letter | sent you
this afternoon" she stipulated. while
her cheeks grew crimson. "You must
throw 1t away unread"
Jealous" he asked c%uriously. "Was
that the headache. Nell? Couldn't you
trust me, dearT"
81 wasn't exactly Jealous" sobbed
Nell, seeking the refuge of his shoul-
der to hide her flushed face, "but |
could see that she didn't know you,
and a man In the seat In front said 1t
was a Irritation. and-and l was so
miserable"
Gently Vance raised the tear stained
face to his own.
tits a lesson that comes to every
wife, dear" he said softly. 'She has
to learn that she must trust her hus-
band, yer though appearances are
against him. I'm glad. sweetheart, that
1t was no worse. Now get the hat and
We'll celebrate the meeting with Sadie
If the poor head is we'll enough"
Nell threw her arms about his neck
and kissed him.
"Vance," she said penitently, you
are just the best headache cure that
aver was"