Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-12-17

"Well, 1 know one wife who won't be in the back
ground-not you would notice it," 1t was the Grss-
hoppers strdent voice, her vicious little laugh. he
group laughed with her.
sti,yvesant sighed Eyes She'll be right in the spot
light, just always. Poor old Wayne!'
poor Wayne, indeed! How does he stand it,"
Not muscle stirred in Berthine's slender body For
her life, she could not move.
X7HY doesn't he tone her DOWN."
w "Tone her down. The Pyramids fierce, hand
old profile reared, belgerent. As the Admirals
sister, the Pyramid discussed the affairs of his subor
dnates with royal candor. "Tone down prairie fire?
What that dear boy has to endured Did you hear her
dare Ensign Curtis to dance jig with her at the recep
ton tonight? An officer wife! She is equal to it, too
"You bet she isl She can tear off Apache rag to
beat the band" Thus Jimmy the reverent, under his
breath.
at is tragic. To see Wayne's career so blocked by
"My dear louisa The Admirals hard blue eyes
met his sisters granite gray "f you ladies
pursue this topic, will beg to be excused Come
on, Stuyvesant He graSped his aid and stamped
angrily away.
he Pyramid glared after them. "Oh, yer well!
But anything so fragrant
How she does push and electioneer for him. muir
INJURED the Mousetrap. "And he is quiet and chival
rous, and reserved"
at was misalliance from the start The Pyramid
Younger and of totally different stock Her parents
-ah-civilians her father. Southern Congress
Oh. well enough; but quite-er- impossible
Perfumes mouth grew dry. Her charming spend
thrift father her pretty worried mother who had
a cabfare dependable servant, but trailed real
lace and Paquin gowns to her last breath Yes they
had been impossible quite impossible!
poor boy! The modification is so cruel! He shows
Yes, the Mousetrap right: Wayne showed it!
Under Berhne dazed eyes scraps of recollection
sliding into hideous mosaic So Wayne suffering
for her! So Wayne had always suffered!
The voices f1ickered Every syllable drew blood.
But with the sunset gun the and Sauntered
down the beach,
Berthine sat moveless Her soft flesh might have
been marble
Finally she stumbled across the room. Shrinking,
she peered into her mirror.
You'd better try to think of something else She
spoke grimly to her ashen young image If there was
Just something else to think about"
However, there nothing else to think OF. And
every thought cut to the heart.
Then her shamed misery veered to anger that
stabbed deeper still. Why had Wayne kept silence?
Why had he not told her, gently that all her gay,
audacious diplomacy could bring him only humiliation?
a think" she spoke gravey to her mirror, Il think
for in good Yes, they shall have real reason
to pity WayneE
THREE hours later. Waynes heavy step pounded
along the hall. "Berthine! Ready, Dear? Sorry
I'm late: Why you sitting in the dark, my honey
Berthine pitched to her feet. The room bazed with
light. In that binding glare she seemed to leap from
the darkness, tall, swayng flame
The man started. "Berthine! What earth have
you been doing to YOURSELF"
Don't you like me in ths' danced the Carmagnoe
in it at the Ledyards ball, remember"
Berthine's cold hands frightened her gltterng
scarlet draperics She looked up at her husband His
big powerful body his heavy features his deep set eyes,
seemed to ebb and WAIVER through baclening mist
Like you in that spread of canvas? It's gorgeous!
But you look like the grand entry for Ringing Brothers
And you know don't like this, Dear. His big, gentle
hand touched her daring white shoulder. Il wanted
you in that little white dress"
and preferred this Berthine drew back, quiveIng
Wayne looked at her, a long minute. A heavy flush
burned to his hair. Berthlne | don't want to bully
you but please me, take off that gaudy unwomanly
dr1 S. lift is not like VOL Bertbine