The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-07-27
TIE EVENING STORY
Aunt Adra's Apology.
(By Lillian Lee.)
1mie, Aunt Adra's come"

Aunt Adra's Apology.
(By Lillian Lee.)
Jimmie, Aunt Adra's come"
Little Mrs. Boxley's voice was dull
and lifeless.
II don't think that she likes me-"
was the additional remark, which ex-
planned the depression.
my dear child, she must! She is
the only member Of my family with
money. and I was her favorite neph-
ed. If she does not approve of my
marriage. it's all on. But she's got
to like you, Dolly" he added fondly.
How could anyone help liking your"
But she has done nothing except
woman. "I 'phoned Bess for an ex-
ira ticket for the concert tomorrow.
and when told Aunt Adra that we
were going. she just said 'uh-hu' like
that"
She'll say you're the best little
through" declared Jimmie. as he put
his arm about her shoulders, and went
In to welcome Aunt Adra.
Jimmie was genuinely fond of his
maiden aunt, even II she did call him
James Sometimes he wished that he
did not have Expectations" from her
so that he might insist upon her call
ing him Jimmie.
1t was the first time since his mar
riage that he had seen her. He mar
ried Dolly because he could not help
1t. From the moment that he had set
eyes on her as she stepped on the
stage at a studio recital, Jimmie had
told himself that she was the one wo-
man in the world whom he wanted
for a wife. After that he was in the
hands Of Fate.
Two months later they were mar
vfad Eo hod ca
themselves down to address the we'd
ding invitations that Jimmie even
thought of asking Aunt Adra's per-
mission.
A long letter Of explanation had
gone with the invitation, and the re-
Spouse had been a plated berry spoon
and a promiset from the old lady to
pay them a visit.
Now she was none the less welcome
because she had come unannounced.
and there was real sincerity in Jim
mics greeting. Aunt Adra unbent
little as he came in, but as they went
out to dinner, Jimmie was conscious
of a certain air of disapproval which
bore down on his spirits.
For Jimmie was proud of the little
woman he had married and wanted
all the world to approve his choice:
indeed he could not understand how
one could do otherwise.
All through the evening this feeling
wet-blanketed their pleasure. For the
first time the little parlor seemed dis
tasteful to him; for the first time Dis
content was guest.
1t was not that Jimmie was discon-
tented with hts wife. 1t was the first
time that he was discontinued with his
home. The tiny parlor was no longer
the center OF Paradise and as Jimmie
kissed Mrs. Jimmie good night, he
whispered that the visit would not last
| Sfncn Aunt Adrq clearly
unhappy as themselves.
But the visit did endure far be-
yond the first week. 1t was we'll to-
ward the end of the first month that
Jimmie was startled by. the appear
ance of Aunt Adra at the office.
as there anything the matter with
Dolly?" he gasped. go
Aunt Adra shook her head.
"She is well, so far as I know" she
answered coldly. 81 want you to come
out and have lunch with me- That is
the purpose of my visit here
1t was the work Of a minute to ar
range with the managing clerk for
little additional time at lunch. and
Jimmie led the way to the quiet cafe
where he had often entertained his
aunt before.
Then they had been jolly little occa-
sions; now she sat grim-faced and 81
lent. while her nephew devoted him
self to his lunch. Not until the table
had been cleared and only the coffee
cups were left did she speak.
II have kept silent as long as I
could, James," she began. But this
morning something occurred that
| felt you should be informed of.
IT have tried to like your wife be-
cause she is your wife. I have with
| held criticism and have sought to in
dorse your choice even while the first
glimpse told me that you have been
roped in by a designing woman. Don't
say anything" she commanded hur-
riedly as Jimmie sought to make OBJ
| lection. 81 know what I am talking
about. There never was man who
| was a match for a woman.
Il made up my mind to overlook the
extravagant taste in dress that leads
| her to wear silks and satins. over
| looked the fact that you have piano
| that is Of a far more expensive make
than 1 could afford to purchase. She
| the piano was loaned her by the
maker
Then she made you put in a tele-
phone and her extravaganza about
concert tickets is something shocking
James, there are hundreds Of concert
programmes in her room and even
| tickets that she purchased and did not
use. They cost a dollar and two dol
| lars a piece.
"All that 1 could stand-though such
an extravagant woman never Will get
| a chance to waste my money as she
| has yours-but today I insisted on go
| ing down stairs after my mail, In spite
| of her protest, and there In the box
was a letter addressed to some one else.
Your wife blushed when I handed 1t
to her. but later / saw her reading it.
and later still heard her at the tele-
phone telling a Signor Marascreck that
she had his letter and would come
right down.
| James, that shameless woman is
meeting strange men-and you know
what those foreigners are-and she is
getting letters addressed to an alias.
II is Dorothy Chappelle. If you want
TO get q divorce, / will pay all ex-
| nanSes h,,t not a penny Of my money