Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1914-12-18

the benefit of my experience"
How do you mean?"
Honor bright. haven't you ever
played possum?"
why, no."
Then that makes it all the easier.
You know-anything from sick
| friend to a case of cholera. Why, even
a headache would answer in your case
II this is the first time"
But / don't believe l could do that"
Certainly you could. Now, If you're
down with a sick headache you can't
be expected to be taking care Of house
hold affairs, can you? What chance
has hot dinner against a case of hys-
terics?"
But l wouldn't know how" Jane
persisted.
This little play doesn't need a re-
hearsal. Just get into your kimono.
dear"
But it's such a terrible fib, and 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. know men and when they're
hungry. they're-well, not sentimental.
But II he really thinks you are Ill he'll
be sorry for you"
I'll try it then. but know that
will never go through with It I'll
laugh right in his face"
Then don't blame me II 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 a ring at the door.
There he is now" exclaimed her
sophisticated neighbor. II told you.
you were wasting your time"
mo. that isn't Bob. Mrs. Collins. He
has a key. Would you mind seeing
who 1t isl"
IT'S only the postman," she called.
You're safe for WHILE"
rs 1t something for me?"
Il 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 disappointment"
Jane emerged clad in her kimono.
Goodness" exclaimed Mrs. Collins,
my dear Mrs. Reynolds. that won't
do at ALL"
What's the natter"
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.
I feel about as i'll as l look"
Never mind. S-h! Somebody's
opening the front door with q 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 Ill. Don't wake her"
I'll? Why. what has happened?" he
asked anxtOusly.
"Nothing's happened. Nothing seri-
GUS. It's just headache / came over
to see what could do for her"
"She's in her room?"
yes. lying down."
He pushed past her to his wife's
door.
why. Jane" he exclaimed. I'm
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!"
III be going now" called Mrs. Col
Inns. Il do hope you'll be better soon,
Mrs. Reynolds. I'll run over in the
morning. II there's anything can do
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. l thank you. too, am
sure. I'll pull Mrs. Reynolds around
all right"
He did not repeat his wife's invita-
ton for the morning call Somehow
Mrs. Collins did not entirely appeal to
him. He knew that she had been
neighborly and friend to his wife but
he was inclined at times to doubt the
value of the friendship. Neighbors
were none too plentiful in their COLONY
and. such as they were, the pressing
duties Of the home kept most of them
pretty closely confined. He knew that
his wife was in need Of company of
some kind SO he tried to keep his i'm
pressions Of her quondam friend to
himself. But husbands have a way
OF divining the truth about their
wives acquaintances and he was sure
that such influence as she exerted over
Mrs. Reynolds was not of the best. Her
ludicrous efforts to appear fashionable
without the means, her lack of taste
and her obvious preference for the pct.
ty city life she had left behind stamped
her. to his mind, for Just what she was.
He had grave fears that his wife, des.
spite the superiority of her intellect,
sooner or later. would become imbued
with the poisonous discomfort that
emanated from her neighbor and he
dreaded the day of incubation.
CHAPTER ~.
A Confession.
Bob" called Jane, II think I'll get