Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1912-01-17

| hate this going TO week-ends. | like
TO choose my own dinner and COM
panion; and | abhor 6: milling at
| breakfast. And like extra-lonC
sheets. And | dislike babies without
hair and teeth. go about very little
I'm pig and unrepentant. II it were
not that | contracted, long ago. the
habit Of friendship for Pen | wouldn't
mix in this condemned affair. ..
But | think We have eliminated any
question of-er-two unpleasant posi-
bilities.' He got up. his suave, indif-
ferent self again, and took himself of
abruptly. And Horny believed that two
unpleasant possibilities tCere elimina-
ted until, at luncheon, Trudell came
up. allowed himself TO be induced to
make third, and, before the cheese
and barbecue. had allowed himself to
be badgered into going out with them
for the night-at last.
But Mrs. Bond-an unexpected
guest may upset something she has
on" He went through the usual
protests so genuinely that Horny was
moved 10 admiration. He kept his non
comnittal smile throughout Pens urg-
ings-he couldn't let himself be out
played by Trudell; but inwardly he
was divided between respect for Tru.
delis persistence in a friends cause
and desire TO punch his head for the
implied doubt Of Sue. AS 10 Sue her
self-she had but TO be herself, as al
ways.
Secure in that confidence. Horny dis
Gained to calculate the effect of the
evenings beginning on Trudeil; but
his own vision was sharpened 10 fresh
perception of the exquisite order of the
place. OF Sues gracious tact as hostess
OF the superlative excellence of her
dinner He went so far as 20 think
that Sues NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
was. in :ts way, as attractive as the
breath-quickening beauty OF Olivia.
They had another pair at dinner-Ihe
man well-set-up chap with a desir-
able laugh. and the woman a brisk.
clever body. both undeniably smart
and distinctly the right sort II was
merry dinner. IL Billy Trudell could
have improved on it in any way, he
was person TO be enyied. AfterWard
came others for bridge, and later still,
Olivia sang for them. When Olivia
sang her hearers had a way of forget
ting, for the time. the thorns OF exist
enCe. Pens mouth went back 10 it's
quieter curves as he listened aud Billy
Trudell looked through space 10 an old
dream. And Horny adored. Once.
only. did he remind Tru' of their morn
ing's conversatiOn-and it was by re
marking with his most disarming
smile: "Oh. | particularly noticed the
sheets. You'll find en- tucked in per
manently al foot-they come 10 your
ears and fold back half the length OF
the bed again. You'll lie glad 10 know
Yes. thanks Trudell was imper-
turbable. Il gave EN- look while
was dressing for dinner Quite all
right" Horny rclished the way the
man kept TO his purpose. despite him
self. but at that instant Sue came in
uno5trusively. Remsen Bond was
never handed around in the drawing
room; but his Girl-mother was forever
slipping away to see that all was well
with him, returning, as now. her face
as that OF one who has looked on a
vision divinely vOuchsafed Horny felt
himself suddenly and actively enraged
that she-wcaring that look-should
be subject 10 espionage with his con-
nivance; and there was an ominous
timbre in his tone when he spoke.
Whether or no the second 'unpleas-
ant possibility is eliminated TO your
he said, Il refuse, any
longer, to be a party To-"
Said Trudell in the same converse
tionSl monotone: Il honestly ask your
pardon for Huntington having
spoken the thought I would ask hers
il | might. | wish | might get away
-decently-now" And Horny told
exultanily. that no sane man
would have 10 see much of Sue to be
put properly on his knees.
Billy Trudell saw more. he went
TO his room TO get into a Longing
Jacket preparatory TO a comfortable
mans hour before bed. and. returning.
was stopped, at the turn OF the CORR
dor. by the coming in from the nur-
sery wing OF Penny and Sue Pens
arm was about her. they were speaking
softly: Trudell felt barred. on this
visit. al least. from Joining them in
the intimacy OF that moment.
You won't stay up very late. will
you, dear?" he heard her ask.
"No-one cigar" Pen promised. Be
fore Billy Trudell could retreat she
turned in her husbands hold, put up
her bare white arms, and drew his
head down.
"Dear'-her voice was a wistful ca
ss-"sometimes-if It we're not that
this is better for the babe-I could
wish that we we're back 10 the crampy
little apartment we began in, and I
servants about-and not
so many coming | had you more
here" Her bright head dropped to
Pens shoulder and he gathered her
,lose but said not a word. Trudell. |
ost to decency, waited and wondered |
It him.
'Amn't a silly" Sues half-laugh |
begged 10 be contradicted People |
amt always and forever live just to |
themselves. I know. But I don't seem |
% help, as I used. and we never have |
line to talk-how things are going: !
md you look so tired, dear Do | ask |
90 much OF you?'
You" Pen began. and though he |
'aid no more, the word was eloquent.
Sue spoke very softly after minute
Just this once tell me that make
Tou happy. Do II"