Camas Prairie chronicle. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1901-1917, 1911-02-17
''Kola; Twenty
Three"
BY Martha McCulloch-W Williams

months married, sat up suddenly, dig
ging her fists baby fashion into much
swollen eyes. She was an uncom-
monty pretty young woman. but had
wept and raved herself out of all
comeliness in the hour she had wait
ed for her mother. Mrs. Creston had
answered a tempestuous summons.
expecting nothing more than the
usual afterhoneymoon quarrel, and
been stunned by demand to take
her daughter home at once.
"As sure as one can be over the
phone" Alice said, her voice break
ing on every word. ITO think Joe
should act SO! II wouldn't-mind-
SO much-if 1t was anybody young
and pretty-but to slight me for
that hateful old thing!"
"You forget you haven't told me-"
Mrs. Creston coaxed.
Alice had sunk back among her
pillows. From them she said: "She's
Miss Smith-of all names-Joe
knew her years ago 1t seems-and
actually, she behaves as though he
belonged to her. He has made me
have her here-well, at first didn't
mind-though / never really liked
her. Still, she was SO plain, and ever
so much older than he was-I couldn't
| well object. And she has a nice house
| of her own, and one meets good
people there-the sort I do want to
get in with. Her cook Is an artist
I said in fun, I meant to steal the
cook away-then Miss Smith came
back at me, laughing hard.
"Do-if you can. Then l can take
Joe with perfectly good con-
science"
II must say that was bold" Mrs.
Creston interrupted bridling.
| Her daughter went on: "Joe
laughed as much as any Of us-but
he hasn't been quite the same ever
since. 1 told him, coming here. I
thought she was an old cat-and he
said: What a pity more women
aren't catty' But the next day he
brought me new ring, and the day
after took me to the opera-so
overlooked things until last week.
Then we had box seats for the Savoy
and I simply couldn't lift my head
you know what may headaches are
how can't bear anybody about
me. told Joe he must go-and he
did-and took her-then today
/" She broke off, shuddering
strongly, her hands over her face.
| WE'LL" Mrs. Creston encouraged.
Alice sat up again, her hands to her
forehead. You'll take me home, of
se-and-and-hav lawyer to
see about separation. I'll never
agree to a divorce-it would please
them too we'll"
Alice! Can't you tell straight
story!" Mrs. Creston asked sharply.
Again Alice shuddered: I'm COM
ing to the worst part" she said drop
ping her hands. This morning she
called over the 'phone-rather made
her maid call-that in itself was sus-
picious. When I answered l could
hear her. indistinctly. prompting the
girl what to say. And the girl said:
oh! Mrs. Moore, please tell Mr..
Moore. the moment he comes home,
he is wanted amidships-kola; TWEEN
ty-three. He'll understand-you won't
forget? Then, of course, asked,
who wants him?' and the answer
was: Just family friend. But be
sure to send him-unless you do. he'll
lose a great chance You see they
nave an understanding-talk in cipher
as 1t WERE"
What did you answer" Mrs. Cres-
ton asked.
Alice bridled. II hung up the re-
oeiver with bang" she said, begin
ming to beat tottoo upon the carpet.
Her mother sighed, knitting her
forehead, but after a minute said:
well! There's nothing for 1t but to
wait and watch. AS sure as Joe
Moore commits himself fully, home
you come. I wish, though, you could
wait few years-he's rising so, you
could get such splendid alimony."
An hour later Joe. the culprit, and
the ensnaring Miss Smith stood
considering covetuously three partic-
uiarly fine rugs. Each was unique
after its hnd-together thye were
the pit1ful wreck and remnant of a
poor gentleman's collection. The col.
lector was In hospital, and would
never leave it alive. Miss Smith had
somehow found out about him. and
was doing her best to salve his pride.
He had friends willing to bury him.
but he wanted to bury himself, as well
as to pay hospital charges.
The rugs, well sold, would do both
Joe, who had a house to embellish.
wife to pamper, could not spend
money to better purpose. They had
talked 1t over before Joe went West
on flying trip. The purchase was
to be kept a profound secret from
Alice until her birthday, next month
when the rugs would be spread ont
to surprise and delight her. She had
no discriminating rug knowledge, but
was nightly impressed with the fact
that to own rare ones was a sort of
hallmark Of artistic plenishing. Miss
Smith liked her negatively, albeit she
had the usual woman sense that Joe
her some time protege, had chosen
rather ILL.,
1t was to keep the secret inviola+a