The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1909-04-14


ting down on the sofa beside her.
Because was with you"
"It's very good of you to say so.
Mr. Gray" she said politely. II hope
next year"
They'll all be different" I said
sourly. "All different and spoiled"
"Why, does old Moore say it'll be
wet?" she asked. dogearing the piece
of paper.
Its only New Years Eve, Gwen"
/ muttered. 1.-THE new resolutions
don't-don't start till tomorrow.
Lady Gwen shook her head. I'm
in earnest, Mr.. Gray"
"And nothing l can say will alter
you?"
Nothing" she said with an air Of
finality.
There was a long pause before l
propounded a conumdrum.
"Can woman flirt with her hus-
band?" / asked.
"Of course not, scoffed Lady Gwen
unguardedly.
II see, Gwen; I'll never so to the
Derby again."
"Why not?" she queried, staring
at me.
Nor Ascot, nor Henley; no, not
even the Academy" cried. you've
spoiled my life, Gwen"
81, Mr.. Gray?"
Eyes, you," l said, savagely. 81
was looking forward to another hap
py year. Then to-day, at its very
close-the happiest year in all my
life"
You're only twenty-eight," put in
Lady Gwen.
'I know" I cried, land l may live
to be ninety. Sixty-two more Derbys,
sixty-two more"
II can't make you an exception"
she said, laughing.
"If you've got heart you would"
I said, angrily. "No woman's got the
right to have a beastly whim-"
"Mr. Gray!"
$50 it is-a beastly whim. Just
because you're tired of me"
You're very unkind," she NUT
tered, frowning, "and you aren't try
ing to help one bit"
II am" / protested, "but two
blacks will never make white.
You're doing wrong, you're selfish"
"Please," she begged.
"No, l won't stop" cried, indig-
nantly. ''It's all your own fault.
You've brought it all upon yourself.
I haven't a spark of sympathy for
you. If you keep your resolution
you'll be unkind to me. Unkind!
What word! You'll be simply driv-
ing me to the deuce"
You're not helping me-" she cried
again.
"I am. I'm trying to think out a
way. Give me the paper, Gwen. In
the dim ages l read for the bar; I
might possibly be able to find some
way out of the impasse."
Gwen looked at me doubtfully.
Promise you won't laugh" she con-
ditioned, promise you = you won't
bring it up against me afterwards"
"Of course l won't" assured her.
I'm simply your counsel in this mat
ter"
Slowly she surrendered the scrap
of paper. l unrolled it.
"'Good resolutions 1t is headed"
read aloud. Number one, not to
fiirt any more with Bob Gwen!"
She blushed and dropped her eyes
to her lap.
Il told you I couldn't get out Of
it," she said in low voice.
For a moment l pondered. But,
Gwen!" l cried suddenly, "you-you
said you couldn't firt with hus-
band"
II know, but"
Don't you see, Bob would
would merge, as the lawyers say.
Your marriage to me would repeal
number one."
Gwen looked at me, smile on her
flushed cheeks and in her bright eyes.
Its the only way, Gwen" l told
her, exultingly.
"But-but then number one will
mean nothing" she faltered, dlmp-
ling.
1T WILL" I said sternly. ANY
iudge-and I'm the judge in future
would read that clause to mean
not to flirt at ALL"
would he?" she murmured.
I kissed her suddenly. BE very
careful, Gwen" said sternly. Num-
Der one has got to be kept"
Up to now / can safely say 1t has