The Jewish herald. (Houston, Tex.) 1908-1914, 1911-01-12
Third Year
A HOUSE OF CARDS.
(By Mrs. B. Lurie.)
CHAPTER TX.


"0n one preteXt or another which told her
TO give as an excuse to her mother, l made her
come to me at the office all of that week. /
avoided much possible conversation of q
lover-like nature. AS long l kept
trial ground, she seemed less uneasy and was
willing to talk quite freely. l gathered that
although her environment was not favorable to
the development of amiability, she had not al
lowed it to sour naturally sweet and re-
sponsive disposition She was paSsionately
fond of good books and when vexed the most
she tried to lose her worries in some classic.
Her knowledge of literature surprise to
me, as well as constant source of delight
The following Monday she failed to put
in an appearance. L wofuly disappointed.
l telephoned to her house, but my call received
no reply. surmised she wis not mt home Or
else she knew instinctively / ringing
did not answer. AT first, this made me angry.
Then | specialized that maybe some untoward
circumstance had arisen that made it impossible
to come, or even answer my call. l Thought
of telephoning to her MOTHER but hesitated to
do so for fear of arousing suspicion. So with
what patience could command, l waited till
\ the next morning. | knew she'd BIZ home at
an early hour The babies necesstated that.
So a little before nine, | called her up. When
she answered. knew at once she was expect
ing this
" Why didn't you come yesterday ! asked,
without further parey.
- thought it best to discontinue my visits,
Mr. Clemens. We seem TO be no nearer
understanding about Simon than we We're two
weeks ago. If there is anything further to be
done in the matter ms | know there must be,
please communicate with my mother. | will
see to II that your letters receive the attention
they require.
Her voice was harsh and constrained 1 was
very much startled.
For heavens sake, tell me what has oc-
CURED to change you so Suddenly Surely, |
have done nothing Don't you think l am en-
titled TO an explanation
i have no explanation to give. All l have
to say is that am very busy at home and
cannot take any more time to to your
office. You said mama could pay for Simon on
the installment plan, for which we are exceed
ingly grateful, but as for myself l just cannot
come
Il am not satisfied with this explanation
and If you do not come to me at noon, L will
be at your house this afternoon. L know there
is something wrong and you must tell me what
is the matter
MY threat carried. She answered with less
assurance: Please don't come. L will be at
your Office at noon
II knew she would keep her word.
When she came saw Immediately that
something was very wrong. With tender so,
licitude TO which she had become accustomed, i
hastened to inquire into the nature of the
trouble. At first she tried to evade answering
direct, but on being pressed she blurted out;
i have been to your house..
IF bomb had exploded at our feet, ]
could not have been more startled.
. TO my house, Bess WhenY' came from
me in undisguised astonishment.
Last Saturday, after | left here she an
swered, quietly enough.
Why did you do that2'
1 was seized with an uncomfortable desire
10 see what your family was like When ! go
there, was told by the maid who answered my
ring that II wished to see you ON business
had better call at the office. j thanked hei
and left. But not before had seen enough t.
make me feel lower than the lowest In
beautiful room off the hall was the lovees
lady had ever seen, and her stood
handsome boy. They are your wife and son
are they not7'
so completely taken by surprise was tina
could do no more than nod in the affirmative
She looked at me with eyes full of woe, a
she said huslily And with all that beautiful
life away from here withdrawing in tn
world to make your existence q yerltahle dream
of JOY you wish me TO understand that such a
has any attraction for, you. My God =
think what IA fool have let you make Of me
suppose you have, in your own way, toll
iewess ,yas nffording youg And she made Il,