Middletown transcript., 1914-09-12


the benefit Of my experience.
How do you mean?"
Honor bright, haven't you ever
played possum?"
"Why, no."
Then that makes 1t all the easier.
You know-anything from q sick
friend to a case of cholera. Why, even
a headache would answer in your case
If this is the first time"
But l don't believe could do that" "
Certainly you could. Now, If you're
down with sick headache you can't
be expected to be taking care of house
hold affairs, can you? What chance
has hot dinner against case Of hys-
terics?"
But / wouldn't know how" Jane
persisted.
This little play doesn't need re-
hearsal. Just get into your kimono,
dear"
But it's such terrible f1b. and I just
hate to see Bob go hungry. love him,
Mrs. Collins. l do, really, and ! Just
can't bear to deceive him this way"
That's just it. Don't let him be dis
appointed in you because there aren't
a couple of scrambled eggs in the
house. l know men and when they're
hungry, they're-well, not sentimental.
But if he really thinks you are Ill he'll
be sorry for you"
'Tl try it then, but l know that l
will never go through with it. Ill
laugh right in his face"
Then don't blame me If there's a
scene. I've shown you the way and 1t
has stood the test. Hurry up and get
into the costume. I'll do the explain
ing"
Jane went into her room. There
was ring at the door.
There he is now," exclaimed her
sophisticated neighbor. Il told you,
you were wasting your time"
"No, that isn't Bob, Mrs. Collins. He
has a key Would you mind seeing
who it is?"
Its only the postman," she called.
You're safe for a while"
"Is it something for me?"
81 didn't look No, it's for your hus-
band and from the butcher, too. think
there ought to be law forbidding the
sending of bills through the mails.
They're such a disappointment"
Jane emerged clad in her kimono.
"Goodnessi" exclaimed Mrs. Collins,
my dear Mrs. Reynolds, that won't
do at ALL"
Whats the matter?"
Your color. You'd never make him
think you're an invalid with that COM
plexion. Put some powder on"
"All right, but this is silly, my dear.
l feel about as i'll as look"
Never mind S-h! Somebody s
opening the front door with key.
Turn out the light and lie down on
the bed. I'll meet him at the door"
Whistling an airy tune, Mr.. Rey-
nolds entered and was confronted by
his buxom neighbor.
"Sh-h," warned Mrs. Collins. Your
wife's i'll. Don't wake her."
I'll? Why, what has happened?" he
asked anxiously.
"Nothing's happened. Nothing seri
Gus. It's just headache. came over
to see what could do for her"
"Shes in her room?"
YES, lying down."
He pushed past her to his wife's
door.
why. Jane" he exclaimed. "Pm
so sorry. What's wrong, dear?"
Nothing very bad. Bob. just sort
O. seemed to go all to pieces today
and my head is splitting"
my poor darling!"
'I'Il be going now" called Mrs. Col
Inns. Il do hope you'll be better soon
Mrs. Reynolds. I'll run over in the
morning. If there's anything can dc
before then, let me know"
Il will Thank you awfully much
Mrs. Collins"
Reynolds hurried out Of the bed
room. Let me see you to the door
Mrs. Collins. thank you,' too, an
sure. I'll pull Mrs. Reynolds around
all right"
He did not repeat his wife's invita-
tion for the morning call. Somehow
Mrs. Collins did not entirely appeal tt
him. He knew that she had beer
neighborly and friend to his wife, but
he was inclined at times to doubt the
value of the friendship. Neighbor:
were none too plentiful in their colony
and, such as they were, the pressinl
duties Of the home kept most of then
pretty closely confined. He knew tha
his wife was in need Of company O
some kind so he tried to keep his i'm
pressions of her quondam friend Il
himself But husbands have a wa!
Of divining the truth about theil
wives acquaintances and he was sur
that such influence as she exerted ovel
Mrs. Reynolds was not Of the best He
ludicrous efforts to appear fashionable
without the means, her lack of tast,
o and her obvious preference for the pet
e ty city life she had left behind stamped
her, to his mind, for just what she was
y He had grave fears that his wife, des
s spite the superiority Of her intellect
d sooner or later, would become imbuet
e with the poisonous discomfort tina
s emanated from her neighbor and b,
d dreaded the day Of incubation.
o CHAPTER ~.
A Confession.
Bob" called Jane, Il think I'll ge
up"
a "Oh, you mustn't, dear. Stay righ