The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1915-06-01
"A Man and
His Wife"
~ Virginia Terhune Van de Water.
CHAPTER XIII


CHAPTER xxi.
On the afternoon following her dis
'ussion with her husband. Isabel Ham
lton called up Ida Ferris and explain
I'd that while she longed to accept the
delightful dinner invitation, John had
an engagement for that evening-an
engagement he could not break.
oh. I'm so sorry Mrs. Ferris ex
"l1imed. And" tentatively, II sup.
pose you are so newly-married that
you would not come without Mr.. Ham
llton7"
We'll, that depends" Isabel hest
lated II might go without him
She was interrupted by her friend S
merry laugh. Il think the bubbles are
beginning TO rise to the surface OF
the water!" Ida teased. I'm delight
ed, my dear, for soon YOU will emerge
and be yourself again"
Isabel was glad Ida could not see
her blush Of modification, mingled
with resentment Yet her tone show
ed that she was piqued.
Il did not think, Ida she began,
that you would misunderstood my
position in this way
"Oh, my dear!' Ida Ferris protested
don't sound so cross. I was only in
fun. Young wives always get lots of
teasing. you know. You are surely
not so silly a s to be veXed, are you?'
NO" Isabel replied. conquering her
momentary Indignation Perhaps,
she explained. Il am a bit sensitive
for it seems as if was taking liber-
ty in letting you even think Of me
without my husband. An unattended
woman is not always welcome at a
dinner"
But you shall not be unattended
for | shall ask some man to take your
husbands place at the table" Ida as
sured her. That is. if you can think
Of somebody. Aren't you acquainted
with some nice chap who would waive
ceremony and come-even though he
has not met me-?
"I-don't know" Isabel stammered
An idea had occurred to her. Why
might she not suggest David Duval or
Henry Dennis? But no--Dennis was
not just the kind Of man she cared
to introduce as her escort. He was
not as refined as Duval Certainly
he was not as much Of a gentleman or
as we'll educated
We'll, do you know any one whom
YOU would like to nvite?" Ida asked
An Ida is Suggested
by Ida Ferris.
What would John say? Would he
approve? She must have time to con
slider.
will ii do if drop you a note this
evening"" Isabel queried There are
several men who might do, but I want
10 think the matter over Meanwhile
if you remember some man you would
like, go ahead and ask him
NO, there is nobody in particular
said Mrs. Ferris. I'm fact. I would
prefer some nice person whom you al
ready know. 1t would be much pleas
anter for YOU. rs all except myself viii
be strangers to you. This dinner is in
your honor. you know, so | want you
TO have matters just as you would likA
them"
THANK you, dear" Isabel returned
Il will write YOU this evening"
And send the mans address, re-
member" Ida supplanted. Then I
will write him, begging him to ex-
Cuse the informality, explaining your
husbands unavoidable absence, and
asking him to come in mis- stead. Will
that be all right"
"Nes--I think so" Isabel answered
Again. thank you, and goodbye"
She had a thrill at the idea of hav-
ing as handsome and entertaining a
man as David Duval as her escort
OF course, she would not allow him