The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1909-08-10
WHAT ALINE
FOUND OUT.
The Great Change It Made In
Her Mode of Life.
By BELLE MANIATEs-

= VI Tic uESL LlA11C LII ACA lila &C LAOASA1
of married life her thoughts were cen
tered on hef 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 a 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 it 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 20 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 deceiv
ing her. 1t assailed her conscience and
opened her eyes to the truth that she,
his wife, did not know him well
enough to resent the deception nor to
speak to him about the matter.
A newly awakened sense Of duty
and a 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 theater.
poor Stephen she thought. "His
evenings must have been dullI 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 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 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. 1t was
a vaudeville theater, and she bought
ticket, choosing seat in an obscure
part of the house.
At the end Of an hour she learned
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 l am not
used to staying in the city in the
summer"
He looked up quickly, flush on his
face.
81 know you are not" he replied.
cousin Lois has been anxious for
me to pay her visit ever since father
died. 1 think l will go to her today"
1.-THE country air would do you
good" he said slowly.
1.-The cooks going to leave today.
You can stay here and get your meals
in the city. can't your"
Eyes; l can manage all right
A month later, at the end Of a long
summer day Stephen approached home
weary and discouraged He dreade
to unlock the door and go 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 filed big bowl on the
table. 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.
ETe heard light step in the kitchen
The door opened, and Aline, dressed,
not In mourning, but in becoming
color, came in.
"Oh, stephenw 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 you
came home from the Office first. 1t is
too hot for a regular dinner, but l
have prepared a cool little meal for
u.s."
sBut, Aline, when did you conner
why didn't you let me known
"Tt's a surprise" she laughed. "Sit
down at the table while bring the
things in"
He followed her into the kitchen.
"How did you get cook so soonT
II am the cook! Kiss 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
palatable little meal he looked at her
IN amazement.
"How did you learn to do all this,
AlineT
'sThats another surprise. And there
are a great many more surprises
awaiting you, Stephen"
II am afraid" he said, that the
biggest surprise of all will be that this
is all a dreamw
"Stephenl But eat your dinner.
Then you shall hear them all. You VIII
not go out tonight, Stephen
He flushed guiltily.
'No, but l will have to telephone.
81 did that for YOU
"You! You-knew, AlineT'
She laughed, but would say no more.
not even when they were clearing the
table and he was helping her wash the
dishes. Then they went out on their
little porch.
Now tell me. When did you known
he demanded.
1.-THE third night you went out fol
lowed you"
"Aliner'
II knew you were not spending your
evenings at the office. 1t wasn't jeal-
ousy or curiosity, Stephen. But 1t
came to me that 1 was Of no help to