The Democratic advocate., 1909-07-09

WHAT ALINE
FOUND OUT.
The Great Change It Made In
Her Mode of Life.
BY BELLE MANIATEs.

i dlu kOAIk W MOih AHuAAA tOAABhtf
he remarked casually.
A faint flush stole to her cheeks.
For the first time in her three months
of married life her thoughts were cen
tered on her husband, Stephen Alden.
When her father committed suicide
because he had lost his fortune in
speculation Stephen had asked her to
marry him. Her wealth had hitherto
prevented his paying her any special
attention. One other refuge was avail
able. A distant cousin whom Aline's
father had once befriended and who
lived on farm offered her a home.
She accepted Stephen, and three
months after her fathers death they
were married. The home Stephen was
able to provide was very simple one,
and 1t had not been a very happy one.
Aline was In the listless state that sue
ceeds violent grief and alphabetically
allowed the house to be run at the will
Of a succession of slatternly servants.
Three nights before a break In their
monotonous life had resulted from
Stephens leaving the house at Z
o'clock and not returning until late
His excuse Of having to work would
have passed unnoticed tonight except
for the fact that she had been unable
to get him by telephone at the office
the night before even after repeated
calls.
At 10 o'clock she had gone TO bed.
An hour later she heard him come In
and go down the hall TO his room. His
behavior engrossed her thoughts en-
tirely throughout the following day.
The fact OF his spending his evenings
out did not disturb her, but she was at
a loss 70 fathom his motive in deceiv-
ing her. II assailed her conscience and
opened her eyes to the truth that she,
his wife. did not know him weA
enough to resent the deception nor TO
speak to him about the matter.
A newly awakened sense OF duty
and feeling that she ought at least
to assume the duty Of taking some
interest In his movements impelled her
to attempt TO discover where he was
spending his evenings. Therefore. as
he was again leaving after dinner, she
slipped out side entrance and fol.
lowed him at discreet distance. After
q walk Of nearly two miles she saw
him pause In front Of theater.
Poor stephenI" she thought His
evenings must have been dulll Ne
wonder he seeks recreation"
But he turned and went down the
side street. entering the theater by
the way of the stage door. As n solu
tion OF his conduct occurred to heI
she felt great heart wrench-ths
only thing she had felt sure Of was
taken from her. without knowing
that she valued 1t, she had had per.
feet confidence in his love for her.
Instantly she felt wild-almost an
insane-desire TO know what manner
Of woman had attracted him. IL was
a vaudeville theater. and she bought o
ticket, choosing a seat In an obscure
part Of the house.
At the end OF an hour she learned
what she had come to find out and
quietly stepped from the theater and
returned home. She spent an hour al
Stephens desk and then went to bed
She did not pass the night In sleep. but
laid out course Of action which she
began to follow at breakfast.
stephen" she said quietly, Il an
not-very well. You know l am moi
used TO staying In the city in ths
summer"
He looked up quickly. a flush on hi,
face.
II know you are not" he replied.
Cousin Lois has been anxious fol
me to pay her a visit ever since father
died, think will go to her today
'"The country air would do yot
good" be said slowly.
'The cooks going to leave today
You can stay here and get your meal
in the city. can't your"
"Yes; | can manage all right"
A month later, at the end of a lone
summer day. stephen approached home
weary and discouraged. He dreaded
TO unlock the door and go into the
stale, shutup atmosphere of the dus
coated, empty rooms. But when b,
had entered the living room he stood
still In amazement. The windows
were open and freshly curtained in
soft muslin. The room was in perfect
order. A bunch of fragrant old fash
toned flowers filed big bowl on th,
table. Wondering. he went on int
the dining room. The table was laid
with clean linen, shining glass. speck
less dishes and decorated by another
bunch of country flowers.
He heard light step in the kitchen
The door opened, and Aline, dressed
not I'm mourning, but In becoming
color. came in.
"oh. Stephen she cried, running
into his arms.
He held her close and quiet for q
moment When she lifted her face
for his kiss she put her hand ca
ressingly across his tired eyes.
"You haven't dined? | was sure yot
came home from the Office first 1t is
too hot for regular dinner, but
have prepared a cool little meal fol
u.s."
''But, tline. when did you come
Why didn't you LET ME known
Its a surprise" she laughed. "sli
down at the table while / bring the
things in"
He followed her into the kitchen.
How did you get cook so soonT
Il am the cook .siss the cook,
Stephen
Again she was In his arms. Then
he held her at arms length. She was
no longer pale and listless. Her face
was full Of life.
As soon as he had begun to eat the