The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1915-07-28
~ VIRGINIA TERHUNE VAN DE
WATER.
Chapter Kill.

6Y Virginia TEHHON6 VAN re
WATER.
Chapter Kill.
Copyright, 1915. Star Company.
The dinner which Isabel Hamilton
gave to Mr.. and Mrs. Ferris was q
greater success, she thought, than had
been the one to which Johns special
friends had been invited.
To be sure, there was little drink.
Ing and less loud laughter than at the
dinner at which Adelaide Simmons
had been the guest Of honor. The
sherry left over from that function
was all-sufficient for this more sedate
,ffair, and there were no cocktails.
rhe benedictine was served In the liv.
ng-room, as before. and the converse
ion was pleasant, II not gay.
John acquitted himself well and his
wife observed how much better his
rracious dignity became him than did
The free-and-easy manner he was In
the habit of adopting with less con-
ventional group of people. 1t was
plain that Mr.. and Mrs. Ferris were
agreeably impressed by their host,
and Isabel had thrill Of qualification
as she noted this fact. Now that she
and John seemed to be drawing
farther apart, she remembered fire.
quently Ida's simile with regard to the
two swimmers IN the matrimonial sea,
and was anxious that her laughing
prediction was beginning to be full
filled.
It was half past ten when the
guests Of honor said 1t was time for
them to 60 home. Ella Sanger had
come in cab and asked John to
please call up the garage from which
she had obtained 1t and order 1t sent
at once to the Hamilton apartment
house. As John did FER bidding, and
she went to Isabels room to put on
her wraps. David Duval turned to his
hostess.
1--WE had an awfully pleasant time"
he said. do you know I have not
been to such delightful! affair IN
long while"
NAT even at Mrs. Simmons's?" 1sa-
bel spoke on the impulse of the mo-
ment and regretted her speech as soon
as she had made 1t. II bee your
pardon!" she exclaimed. THAT was
not a polite nor a kind question to
ask"
Duval smiled good.naturedly. II see
nothing out Of the way in your ques-
ton" he said. It is not as II Mrs.
Simmons was my very close friend.
She is polly woman-and gooC COM
pany in a way-but l have never been
an habitue Of her home as some other
men have. As, for instance-Dennis."
His hostess noticed the slight pause
before Dennis's name, and she was
sure that Duval had come near max
ing the blunder Of speaking Of John
as an habitue of Mrs. Simmons's home.
This was undoubtedly the way that
people regarded John-people who had
seen him with Adelaide. But she
spoke unconcernedly.
Ouvai Pays Isabel
Subtle Compliment.
II have only been in Mrs. Sim
mons's home once" she remarked so
/ know few of her associates"
"You and she are Of different
world" he observed I do not fancy
you two would have much in COM
mon"
Yet John was her friend. Here
again, was the doctrine that was con-
stantly confronting her-that of one
standard for man, another for woman.
IF she is the friend of nice men
do not see why she might not be
friend of nice women. too"-she be-
gan. then stopped as John entered.
II have called up Miss Sanger's
cab" he announced. 1T will be here
in minute. Tell her so-will you
Isabel?"
She started to do his bidding. paus
ing as she passed him to say in a
low voice You will offer to escort
her home. won't you, John?"
Why" he asked, following her out
into the hall she will be safe in a
cab"
But she was present at the other
dinner when you protested against
Mrs. Simmons-her cousin-going
home alone in taxi at this time of
night"
That's so.' he unused. II have it,"
with a sudden clearing Of his face
"Duval will be glad to take her home"
He has made no move to leave
yet" Isabel said hurriedly. you can
hardly suggest his doing so-in your
own house No, my dear, 1t is your
place to accompany Miss Sanger"
"Confound it," John muttered as he
started towards his dressing-room for
his hat and coat. ITS an Internal
nuisance!'
you do not always consider that
kind of thing a nuisance" she said.
He looked at her squarely. 81 sup
pose" he retorted. that you mean to
remind me that was willing to escort
Adelaide home the other night. l do
not deny it. would have been glad to.
She Is my very good friend"
There was a note of defiance in his
voice and his wife heard it. But she
met 1t without excitement. Then, as