Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-06-28

first place in his heart and Jennie had
been nothing but a substitute made
use of because she was willing very
soon he was nursing fairly good sized
heart ache.
1t was not long before Jennie, gray
faced and quiet, came home from a
day of house cleaning and sat down
in the nearest chair to cry softly. And
the next day, when she met Allyce and
marked her attractiveness. she came
home and cried again.. taking care,
however. to wash all traces of tears
from her eyes before 10 came home.
as usual now, and left the house AFTER
supper.
For several evenings he was at home.
Allyce had 1aughingly told him to stay
He obeyed her sullenly. He had no
idea. however. that Jennie cringed I'M
der the critical look that he gave her
Nor had he any idea that she had mis-
popularity supposed to be eficacious in
winning back husbands love. Poor
Jennie: She determined once to put
her savings into clothes. She had
heard Of wives who had succeeded by
such methods. And then she had look
ed in~the mirror at her old tired face,
at her lusterless hair. at her round
shoulders. and decided in sickening
despair that it was useless. She had
heard Of the power of affection to hold
its own. Perhaps if she quit being so
cross and displayed more Affection
Then a rush of anger gripped her. She
lung up her head. She would make no
attempt to keep him. Let him go!
Granted that she had not done all her
part, granted that she had been irrita
pie, granted that she was not SO at
tractive. that gave him no license to
shame her before the town, to advertise
desirable.
And that evening when 10 again
looked at her with cold, critical eyes
that took in every unlovely detail from
lusterless hair to lusterless shoes.
Jenny no longer cringed but flung him
back look for look.
10 was startled Whats the mat
ter he asked voluntarily-and imme-
d1ately wished that he hadn't.
oh. nothing" said Jennie, YEARLY
Except I'm tired. 1 guess I've worked
too hard lately"
10 took it as a reproach, though as
a matter of fact Jennie had spoken
SO because she did not know what else
make enough to keep US two
Jennie was very proud. In fact. her
proud way of holding her chin had
gone far. long time before, to recon-
now. suddenly, she lost all the pretty
irritation, the peevishness and weari-
ness that poverty and hard work had
lnnicted upon her. She was merely
dignif1ed woman who would not be
disdained. Perhaps you do" she said
ser. And | am going back to the
the cottage and the furniture"
10 was offended. Jennie needn't take
that he was also relieved. He thought
shamefacedly of a divorce. Perhaps it
was Just as we'll that Jennie took it
oat dd no hs 1p from se
sewing. but her chin lifted.
Straight to Jake Johnson's cottage
he went. He felt a mixture of emo
tion; his heart beat at thought of AL.
lyce. But somehow the thought Of
Jennie's disdain pricked his satisfac-
tion;
gowned, fragrant. dainty. Jake sat be-
side her. 1t happened that they did
not see his approach.
asked G9in fge b awIy tomorrow. Allyce:"
this towns slow!"
com ts 5ssn .3 faster lake ks. unkndly
must say 1 think it's a shame the way
you've plagued poor Jenny Larmon.
Saying WeIi:, 10 " for %n her .u,ca "1 ,,+
plague her any more. Ny. to think
y vas engaged to that gawky. stupid
That was ALL But it was enough.
In one second 10 conceived a violent
dislike Of Allyee's charm. And she had
actually been making sport of him all
this time! He walked to the very end
OF the large town. and then back And
by the time he had walked that far il
vas vas nearly midnight: time enough for
him to do some serious thinking And
at the end of the thinking he realized
That the proud little lift OF Jennies
chin was a lot more attractive to him
than all Allyce's fragrance and care
fully nurtured prettiness.
Let's start over again. Jennie" he
pleaded the next morning when both
were awake.
Jennie was still proud. 81 don't
really think / care to-" she replied
boldly. Why. what has changed YOU
A!lyce said l was gawky and stu
pid," frankly answered 10. He could
not help a shamefaced grin. which
proved that. after all. he hadn't cared
SO very much
How dare she?" cried Jennie. you're
not. She's cat"
10 slipped his arms around her 81
No said Jennie. YEARLY. But
guess ] could have been more worth
your being At for me-
(THE END