The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1914-09-12
toward the opening door, he could not

toward the opening door, he could not
repress the thrill of exultation.
He had need of the stimulus of this
exultation as he and Unity faced that
roomful of people who-well, were in
longer practice at this sort of thing
than was he. He limped. with some
thing less than Unity's aplomb, across
the room to meet his hostess, who
murmured graciously something quite
uninteliigible, and Henley, who seemed
rather bored. Then he was introduced
to his dinner partner, Mrs Belloc, who
mistook his set expression for stern
ness, and was in the end led by her
without mishap to their places near
Henley's end of the table.
He had no small talk and Mrs. Bel
loo, after one or two barren essays.
allowed him breathing spell.
Unity was at the very apex of her
existence. She was the prettiest
woman present, with the loveliness Of
physical full bloom just before it be-
gins TO fade. Her hearts desire had
been granted-no longer must she be
content with carelessly tossed crumbs
and crusts OF preferment; she sat,
both literally and figuratively, at the
table OF the city's elect.
The salad was being served when
Mrs. Saunders turned to Mark Mrs.
Saunders was one Of the Insecure
ladies who. following Mrs. Henley's
example. had called upon Unity. She
had just been listening, too long for
patience. to her partners praise OF
Mrs. Truitt
Il should think you'd be jealous.
Mr.. Hare is more than enthusiastic
over your wife tonight"
How very tactless!"
"Oh, no." said Mrs. Saunders
sweetly. Il quite agree with him. /
think she's adorable. She reminds me
SO much of that portrait by-you know,
the one that hangs In the Louvre"
But | don't know. I've never been
in the Louvre"
oh! j thought everybody had been
there"
You see. Mrs. Saunders, I'm not
anybody"
You would say that, of course. One
bears"
But it's quite true. To prove 1t, |
I've never been east of this city. In |
TACT. the first time / came to this |
house-not SO very long ago-I peeked |
o Ui ha
ley caught me-" He grinned wryly.
The next day l got a Job handling
pick and shovel"
How very romantic!"
You wouldn't call II romantic. IL
you'd been in Houlahan's gang"
And then, of course" Mrs. Saun-
deB beamed. you set out to win the
princess?"
The princess? Oh! my wife. Yes,
l suppose so'
She has always lived In the city,
hasn't she?"
You'd think so. wouldn't your"
Marx glanced critically at Unity. But
she hasn't. Eight years ago she was
living in Bethel. And Bethel, Mrs.
Saunders. you'll never find on the
map"
oh" Mrs. Saunders said inno-
Gently Il had inferred-but that per.
feet manner! She must have &C
Quiredlt at her finishing SCHOOL,"
Mark chuckled. Finishing school,
wish you could see Miss Smiths
seminary for young ladies'. 1t isn't
even farter"
Mrs Saunders laughed admiringly.
How very clever! l must tell your
wife,"
She leaned forward a little toward
Unity. 'Oh, Mrs. Truitt-"
Unit. gave ear.
Il must tell you the clever thing .
your husband just said. We were talk. ;
Ing abot your school-Miss Smiths
seminar. wasn't 1t? And l called 1t ,
a finishing school And Mr.. Truitt !
said'-rs. Saunders voice carried
WE'LL isn't even a starter. Awrly =
good, think" A faint litter ran