Evening star., 1914-08-15

pressing q shrewd. anxious expression.
'rn get him some milk right away. And
it is the luckiest thing. This very morn
ing bought some of those vanilla waters
he loves"
Couldn't Carter conner" her father In
serrupted briskly. az both the old people
accompanied her UP the broad. shiny
stairs and down the familiar hall to her
pleasant room.
No" she said briefly. Her mother shot
quick glance at her. "de-he was busy.
h, dear, his bonnet strings arc In q hard
hnot!'
untangle it. dearie. David. you run down
and get some pineapple ice."
Not for me-" Ethel interrupted from
the blue-nowered wash basin. Pm not
hugry."
calmly. taking of the baby's shoes.
But Ethel was silent when her father
had gone, and her mother did not force
her confidence. Dinner was eaten. the
gossip of the small town where Ethel had
lived till her marriage. and the bigger
events Of the city whore she had lived
since, were rehashed. Unconsciousiy her
troubles seemed far away as she rocked
and listened to her mothers serene, cheer
but still attractive tones. After ALL life
was Life and good. even II one had seen
only its gray side for quite while.
Then her father went out to see that
the chickens. the dogs. the cats and the
barn doors were fxed for the night.
Garter couldn't get away. dear7' her
mother asked casually.
NO" quietly. It was not till her IA
ther had gone to his room and was pull
ing of his heavy shoes that she told her
And | want divorce"
"Oh!' she dung her hands out tragic
ally, everything. We're not suited to
oh ~tI l. -
other men," cynically. Hes simply
selfish: He called me extravagant. Pos
sibly I am. But the tone in which he
said it! And-he has never struck me. of
course. But he said he'd like tor
"Carter!' her mother cried incredu-
lously. Then her lips pressed tightly to-
gether.
Yes. We were having quarrel No;
Ii Don remember sanes about what-ws guar
don't think children snou Il be reared IN
such an atmosphere" She looked at her
mother. pleadingly, for assent
NO. sa her mother; neither do L"
Day before yesterday" In a hard
tone. 'he kicked new jardiniere over.
purposely. and broke It He was angry
because because. was angry that he spent three
And So Her mother paused. Her
And A., so I came homo. You--want
new wbp pleasflnsy; % sa,.s II haze s, no ,o,,.r o.w
over to kiss her. Where should you
go If not home to your old father and
mother. WHO have no one but you'll
eyes. she twisted her hands nervousiy. 20 I
Only what?" Ethel demanded. hastily.
What's the matterr'
The matter is." slowly. that was
said anything to you. Ethel. But you
the most comfortable man to i've live withr It'll
Ethel looked queerly at her mother.
"N-no;" she acknowledged. He is cross
WELL last week he slammed the front
door SO hard that the glass broke"
"Well?' Ethel asked. breathlessly and
"well.' her mother twisted her hands
nervously. che. like Carter, never struck
me. But once he said he'd like to shake
me"
'Nlotherr incredulously, "rsot fsther7
why-he didn't mean 1t! You ought to
says"
~ MAYBE .a not. -; srim,Z; % But he said It
and Carter take mer pleadingly.
rocker. her eyes distended with dismay.
else would Uf Son 20. she But mother, ,ns
forgotten. "I think it's terrible for you
and father to get q divorce Why.
mother what will he DOR
He doesn't know I ever thought about
1t" hastily.
Ethel choked: then she mars.,,ad
AL her Wits to combat this terrible
thing. Mother" ehe said. desnere-
1T think it's awful! I think II sillyi
Why. you know father loves you. And
IL he does lose his temper once in q
while. he Is no worse than other man!
Hes-he's-why, mother, he's just faith
er"
Mother bridled. ''You ought to under
stand how feeli It's the same ~ you
with Carter!"
Ethel cringed. "oh-no. raats differ
ent." weakly. You and father have
lived together all your LIFE"
Long enough" grimly. Maybe I'd
Ethers pretty face paled. She couldn't