The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-09-08
"kola; Twenty-Three"
Ry MARTINI MccrLLoCH- WILLIAMS.


Copyright, 1910, by Associated Literary Press
My child, you sure?" Mrs Creston calculated
with a nervous lift of the brows.
Alice Moore. her daughter. six months married, sat
suddenly digging her fists baby fashion into much
woman but had wept and raved herself out Of all
comelness in the hour she had waited for her mother
Mrs Creston had answered a tempestuous summons.
expecting nothing more than the usual after-honey-
moon quarrel and had been stunned by demand to
! take her daughter home at
LAS be the phone" Alice said,
her voice breaking on every word To think Joe
was anybody young and pretty-but to slight me for
that hateful old thing"
You forgot you haven't told me-" Mrs Creston
coaxed,
Alice had sunk back among her pillows. From
'efn she said: she's Miss Smith-of all names
Joe knew her years it seems-and actually she
behaves as though he belonged TO her. He has made
me have her here-we, at first didn't mind--thouEh
never really liked her. STILL she plain, and
ever much older than he was-I couldn't well OBJ
meets good people there--the sort do get in
with. Her cook is artist said in fun meant
at me, laughing hard.
"Do--if you Then take Joe with a per
Il must that bold" Mrs. Creston interrupt
ed, brdling
! Her daughter went on: Joe laughed as much as
any of us-but he hasn't been quite the
since / told him, coming here / thought she was
I an old cat-and he said What a pity more women
aren't eatty.' But the day he brought a new
ring. and the day after took to the opera-so !
overlooked things until last Then had box
seats for the Savoy-and / simply couldn't lift my
head--you know what my headaches are-how l can't
bear anybody about l told Joe he go--and
he did--and took her-then to-day-I-I--'' she
broke off, shuddering strongly. her hands over her
| Well" Mrs. creston encouraged
Alice up again her hands to her forehead
You'll take me home, OF commemorative a
lawyer to see about separation III never agree to
a divorce-it would please them too we'll"
Alice! Can't you tell straight story?" Mrs. Cres-
/ ton asked sharply
/ Again Alice shuddered I'm coming to the worst
part" she said, dropping her hands This morning
she called over the phone-rathsr made her maid call
that In itself was suspicious When I answered /
/
to Ard the girl said; OH Mrs, Moore please
tell Mr.. Moore moment he comes home he is
wanted amidships-kola; twenty three. He'll under
stand-you won't forget?' Then. OF course. / asked
Who wants himf and the Just a fam
! lily friend But be send him--unless you do
hen lose great chance You see. they have
| What did you answer MIRA Crsston asked
Alice brdled. Il hung up the receiver with bang
she said beginning to beat tattoo the carpet
Her mother sighed. knitting her forehead. but af-
ter minute said "weu There's nothing for it but
| to wait and watch. AS sure as Joe Moore commits
himself fully, home you 1 wish, though. you
could wait few years-hes rising So you could ger
such splendid alimony"
| An hour later Joe. the culprit, ard tho ensnarng
Miss Smith stood considering generously three partic
ularly fine rugs Each was unique after its kind
together they We're the ptful wreck and remnant OF
poor gentlemans collection The collector in a
hospital ana would never leave 1t alive. Miss Smith
had somehow found out about him, and doing
her best to saive his pride He had friends willing
bury him. but he wanted to bury himself, well
a pay hospital charges.
/ The rugs, we'll sold. would do both-Joe. who had
a house embellish, wife pamper. could NOT
spend money to better purpose They had talked IL
over before Joe went west on flying trip. The pur-
chase was to be Kept a profound secret from Alice
until her birthday next month when the rugs would
be spread out to surprise and delight her She had
no discriminating rug knowledge. but was mighttly
impressed with the fact that to a
sort OF hallmark of artistic plenshng. Miss Smith
liked her negatively. albeit she had the woman
sense that Joe. her some time protege, had chosen
/ rather Ill.
keep the secret invioiate the cipher call
had been agreed Miss Smith thought she knew
women but 1t had not dawned upon her that Alice
would be Jealous, She had made the call urgent be-
cause another possible purchaser had appeared with
dealer at her elbow to prompt and stimulate bid
ding
Joe had got the message through his Office to which
ed the skiest of the caressngly saying rather
low:
ut feels like Allies hair" Then, blushing You
don't mind. Remember haven't seen her for three
whole days
mo. don't mind in the least; brdegrooms ought
to stay foolish year at least" Miss Smith SAID
picking up second rug. This Is mine," she went
on, Two are enough for you. I'd limit you one
! only I'm cramped for rug space"
I'm going to pay for the three" Joe said calmly
Please. maam. you take choice"
you fool Joe--in spite of being sensible !"
Miss Smith answered, laughing softly You can't
give me things now you are married-not though
did more than half bring you up.
why not?" Joe demanded "IH make three thou
sand out OF this western business and through
you"
"Aoe viii need It all--and In fact. my SON.
youth learn in time that all and more is the motto
of matrmony." Miss Smith interrupted
Joe her hurt look II don't believe task
ing pardon he said. stouty. 1T may be with
some wives-but Alicel Alice is generous as sun
shine"
II hope you are right-r-.here may be exceptions
Miss Smith said. waving him goodby they left tho
meeting place
When he out OF sight. she smiled-at first with,
merry malice. then somewhat sadly. A. she walked
on something haunted her--ths banging of the ~