The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1909-09-09
BY BELLE MANDATES.

ASe~SAAo SAES AEOu0O az
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 to fathom his motive in decefy-
ing her. It assailed her conscience and
opened her eyes to the truth that she,
his wife, did not know him we'll
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
a walk Of nearly two miles she saw
him pause in front Of a theater.
"Poor Stephen" she thought. "His
evenings must have been dull! No
wonder he seeks recreation"
But he turned and went down the
side street, entering the theater by
the way Of the stage door. AS a solu-
ton of his conduct occurred to her
she felt a great heart wrench-the
only thing she had felt sure of was
taken from her. Without knowing
that she valued it, 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. It was
a vaudeville theater, and she bought
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 at
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 am
not-very well. You know I am not
used to staying in the city in the
summer
BE looked up quickly, flush on his
face.
Il know you are not" he replied.
Cousin Lois has been anxious for
me to pay her visit ever since father
died. I think will go to her today"
"The country air would do you
good" he said slowly.
"The cooks going to leave today.
You can stay here and get your meals
in the city, can't you?"
Eyes; I can manage all right"
A month later, at the end Of long
summer day, Stephen approached home,
weary and discouraged. He dreaded
to unlock the. door and 60 into the
stale, shutup atmosphere Of the dust
coated, empty rooms. But when he
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 filled a big bowl on the
taDle. Wondering, he went on into
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 in mourning, but in becoming
color, came in
"Oh, Stephen she cried. running
into his arms
He held her close and quiet for a
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 Won
came home from the Office first. II is
too hot for a regular dinner, but
have prepared cool little meal for
u.s.
"But, Aline, when did you come?
Why didn't you let me know?''
cts a SURPRISE she laughed. .Sit
down at the table while I bring the
things in.''
He followed her into the kitchen.
"How did you get cook so soon?"