The Democratic advocate., 1909-07-16
UNDER THE SURFACE
An Incident That Brought Con-
tent to a Dissatisfied Woman.
BY ROY RICHARDSON.


'T'm sorryewe're invited" observed
Mrs. Edmonds to her husband as they
dressed to go out. "We shant have a
good time"
'FWhyY' her husband inquired. u
always liked Ned
yes" responded Mrs. Edmonds. Il
like them both, but, VIII. try as hare
as may, they make me absurdly jeal-
GUS"
Mr.. Edmonds grew serious. 'Thc
old excuse, Grace. thought you had
outgrown that bad habit We've go.
SO much that they can never have.
There" he cried, pinchIng her cheek
'Let's put 1t aside. We have each 9TH
er, while you know they quarrel We
must have them here some evening
soon You can sing while juggle the
chatting dish Ned Constable never
could make decent rabbit. His wife
won't let him learn how"
Mrs. Edmonds sighed even at her
husbands picture Of a pleasant even.
ing at home. II shall depend upon
you," she said as they rang the Con-
stable doorbell, "to keep me contented
tonight. Will"
1t was quite an affair. Mr.. and Mrs
Constable, whatever they might be
when alone, we're a charming host and
hostess.
How well they do itr exclaimed
Mrs Edmonds to her husband as they
sat eating. Then, with a dangerous
tone in her voice, she said, Il wish.
oh, so much. that you and r.
There, there" Edmonds broke In
gently. Were not going to speak of
that, dearle BY Jover' he calculated
suddenly. II do believe there's old
Tom Goodwin over there all by him
self. You remember Tom, don't you,
Grace-the fellow who was too poor
to come TO our wedding and who said
he was sending forks instead OF buy.
ing railroad ticket7 haven't seer
him for months. He writes things,
believe Yor must meet him, good old
chap"
'Do you know" Goodwin remarked
a few moments later. seating himself
beside his new found friends, 81 al.
ways promised myself the pleasure of
meeting Mrs. Edmonds. And now.
and his genial face beamed with good
nature. 81 see how true II is that un-
expected pleasures are the keenest
Funny thing, Mrs. Edmonds, but /
didn't want 10 come here at ALL"
At this Edmonds smiled at his wife
Neither did we. Now we are glad
we did" he said But, Tom, why
haven't you called? You might have
found us before this in the directory"
"0h, yes" Tom reJoined. but you're
such dreadful swells ! didn't dare
You see" he explained while Mrs. Ed,
monds tried TO tell him how modest
they really were. I'm just beginning
When you just begin people don't like
you, and mostly you don't take TO
them. and so | have thought II best To-
keep away by myself until had done
something worth while"
Goodwin made himself very agree
able. and Mrs Edmonds liked him.
Her husband got deep In debate with
business acquaintance. and the two
men presently drlfted TO the other side
OF the room. so when the music began
in the conservatory Goodwin took Mrs
Edmonds upstairs.
IT'S awfully good 81 you, you
know" he said TO her as they seated
themselves next dense mass OF palms
In the ballroom, mot to insist on
dancing. but to talk to me. You're so
cheerful and seem so contented. VIII
is fortunate man, Mrs. Edmonds."
"How odd! | was discontented and
blue when came here tonight" she
said. ''all because l was--well, was
covetous."
Tom laughed.
eve all get that way at times.
fancy" he remarked. Look at those
De Puysters standing over there. the
richest people here. You wouldn't be
lieve II, but they are rldiculously jeal.
GUS Of the Four Hundred How the
-Four Hundred fare we never know.
but the De Puysters ape them as far
as they can. while some Of us are silly
enough to ape the DE Puysters. am
glad you are not one OF those"
Before Mrs. Edmonds could confess
that indeed she was one Of them there
came to her ear from behind the palms
by which they sat the sound of voices.
They both recognized the tones OF
fhafr hnaN nd ..
awkward position. but they could not
have escaped being seen from over
the palms.
Constable was evidently remonstrat
ing with his wife. "You can't mean to
pretend" he was saying, "to be keep
ing pace with the De Puysters. Oup
would think you were, to see us &C..
night. tell you, Anne, can't afforl
1t, and that's fat
THAT'S what you're always saying
can't afford this; can't pay for that 4"
cried Mrs. Constable. with considera
BILE heat. Why don't you go into
bankruptcy and be done with it2 You
never used to complain"
Eve would look well bankrupt.
wouldn't wcy" her spouse cut in. =
never used TO complain, as you say
because was getting rich fast thel
1t Is changed now. and I'm oftcn
pinched for money to the verge Is
desperation. I've told you so, Anne
While I've no objection to your en
.ertainIng and having a good time
there's limit TO our means. you know.
and where the devif the money for this
is coming from don't see"
"You never told mer' cried Mrs. Cor
stable. You merely said you were
worried And I'll tell you right now.
Nal Dan.t..tsIa H.. t..An..a