The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1915-06-07
"A Man and
His Wife,
BY Virginia Terhune Van de Water.
CHAPTER XIV.

Sx1kAI A<ASs
Copyright, 1915, Star Company.
II Isabel Hamilton was conscious Of
a momentary sense of qualification in
turning his own phrases back upon her
husband, her pleasure was short-ived.
When John had left the room, she pro-
ceeded to undress, and as she removed
one garment after another, her self
satisfaction seemed to slip from her
with her clothing. When she was
ready for bed. she lay down with the
uncomfortable idea that she had put
herself in wrong. That was always
the way when she quarrelled with
John. she unused. Tonight 1t was
especially true, for she had not told
him that she knew he was keeping the
truth from her, therefore he could not
know what lad embittered her and
made her irritable. So he had good
cause to consider her unreasonable
and to be vexed with her.
A singular trait of human character
is that one who has detected another
in a falsehood always wants that
other to know that his deception had
been discovered. Perhaps a secret
longing for revenge produces this de-
sire Not long ago I heard a woman
say:
Il wish that man knew that l know
he has been untruthful to me. would
feel SO much better satisfied"
When the deceiver Is ones best be-
loved, there is mingled with this SEN
sation a subtle hope that the dear
one can explain away the cloud of sus-
picion Both of these emotions drove
Isabel Hamilton at last to an impul-
sive decision. Sitting up in bed, she
called her husband.
john" she pleaded. as he entered
the room-again, she noticed. with
newspaper in his hand-"1 want to
talk with you"
What about?" he queried coldly. 1t
was evident that he was still dis
pleased with her. The thought of her
own wrongs and the appreciation that
he considered himself the injured
party, made her flush resentfully.
John" she protested Il wish you
would not stand there looking like
my judge, when all l want is to ex-
plain my position
He thought she was going to apollo
gize and he came forward eagerly.
do put down that everlasting pa
perl" she exclaimed.
He dropped the paper upon the floor
and seated himself on the side Of her
bed. II know" he said, with surpris-
irg patience, that something must
have upset you very much, Isabel, or
you would not have been so-ner-
vous." Gle started to say "cross," but
checked himself in time.) Nov, my
dear wife. please tell me what the
matter is"
His words did not move her, but his
hand laid on hers and his gentle tone
unlocked the flood gates of her re-
serve
"Oh, John" she walled, II am so
unhappy because you will not be
frank with me-will not tell me the
truth about things! Why did you
pretend that was business message
which you received tonight, when you
know it WASN'T"
There was a moment Of tense ST.
lence. When he spoke 1t was with an
obvious effort at self-control
1T was business message" he at
firmed.
II saw the telephone number on the
paper" she accused.
All? And what if you did? IT
does not alter the truth of my asser-
ton"
OH" she exclaimed "Why won't
you be honest with me? I know who
it was who telephoned to you! II
know it was Adelaide Simmons, and
that you went out of the house to
telephone to her rather than do so in
my presence"
Only for an instant did his face be-
tray any establishment, then he faced
her with a counter accusation
And" he demanded, still holding
her hand-not gently now, but in