The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1913-12-05


sci came tramping up from the gate
1t quarter past seven. and stopped
Mlariously. to kick the snow on their
boots before entering the hall, Amy
Fleming had arisen to meet the sum
mons Of Life.
When Amy Fleming, CHASTITY, In her
pretty dinner dress, sought refuge In
the kitchen (the one spot where her
husband would not be apt to pursue
herr. and Sood listening to the voices
IT the two men going upstairs. Mary
Ann, the waitress, needed no tnforma
ton that there was something the
matter"
she looks like she was dead" she
told Jane.
Jane" her mistress said, II wish
you would open bottle OF cham
payne; one OF the pints. not one OF
the big bottles; and give-me--u
glass;" her voice was faint. Jane
obeyed hurriedly, and as the cork
popped one man upstairs called out
gaily to the other, "Hullo! has II be-
gun already"
Amy drank the wine and handed the
glass back to the anxious woman.
was feeling faint, Jane. | am all right
now, thank you. Oh. there's the door
bell!- III 20 into the library And
when the two rather early corners had
taken of their wraps and made their
way downstairs again they found their
hostess smiling whitley at them from
the hearthrug.
Then Thomas Fleming and his law
yer came downstairs, and there was
more Misunderstanding and congratuka'
tons, and II was not until he looked
at his wife. at dinner that Fleming
really saw her face: Its haggard pal
lor struck him dumb in the midst OF
some gay story TO the pretty neighDor
on his right. I'm afraid my wife 10
not WE'LL" he said. anxiously.
"Oh. it's the reaction. Mr.. FleminS.
Amy has been perfectly splendid: but
now, naturally, she feels the reaction
Somehow or other. with its gayety
and good fellowship. that dreadful
evening passed. When the friendly
folk streamed out into the starry win
ter night. there was some anxious
comment.
How badly she looked"
MY dear. can you wonder? Think
what she's been through"
But one woman. on her husbands
arm. murmured: You don't suppose
he COULD have-done anything?
Twelve good men and true have
said he didn't; your remark Is out OF
order"
When Fleming closed the door upon
The last lingering guest, he turned anx-
hously to his wife. Amy, l haven't
had q chance to speak to you! You
are worn out. Bates, look at her-she's
worn OUT"
Batos, lounging In the library door
way, agreed. Indeed she Is; Mrs.
Fleming. you ought not to have at
tempted q dinner party. believe
Ne all my fault. because | suggested
ITS your fault, because you got
ne or" Fleming said. jOcosely. The
iullness Of the first part OF the even
ing had quite disappeared; he was
rather flushed and inclined to laugh
buoyantly at everything: but his face
vas anxious when he looked at his
wife. Amy. you must 90 right
traight to bed"
II am going now" she said. Good
hight, Mr.. Bates. will copy that
boem for you---sometime," she ended
aintly.
Her husband put his arm about her
O help her upstairs. but she drew
way. mo; stay down and smoke
With MIR. Bates" Then, as he insisted
IN coming UP with her. she pushed
liz arm away. sharply. PLEASE
on't! My head aches. Please-go
way"
Thomas Fleming stood blankly upon
he stairs a moment, then went BACK
D Bates.
II never knew Amy so upset. ne
AID. stupidity.
"It's been q hard week for her.
ates explained, easily But Fleming
moked morosely; he was plainly re-
eyed when his guest said he tnougnt
3 would 60 to bed.
We'll take the eight-hfteen IN the
horning. Bates" he said, and Bates
awning, agreed.
Fleming went softly into his own
pom, and was half disappointed. half
slieved, to And his wife lying motion
be-, with closed eyes. "A good nights
eep will set her up" be thought. ten.
srly. Fleming himself had q good
lights sleep. That Amy's eyes Open
painfully to the dark, when the
ouse had sunk into silence. he did
Of know She seemed to be sleeping
bundly when he awoke the next
orning; and again he crept about
OF even daring to kiss her. lest shs
isht be disturbed. Just before. he
"a Bates made dash for the eight
teen, he told Jane to ask Mrs. Elem.
n TO call him up on the telephone
hen she came downstairs. 20 he
light know how she was.
A for Amy, when she heard the
ont door close behind the two hurry
u men. she got up YEARLY.
Now, rye got time to think" enc
lid. There was . certain relief In
DO consciousness Of silence and OF
me. She could think all day; she
build think until half'past six; how
ANY hours? Ten! Ten hours-in
hitch 70 take up q new. life. Ten
burp In which to become acquainted
ith her husband.
Il have never known him." she said
s6ly 70 herself Well, now she must
PART II.
ehs had some coffee and went down
the library. She told Jane that she
ould not see anyone, all day. i
I'VE I headache" she explained. And
han lane left her. she drew her lit