The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1915-12-02
SYNOPSIS.

from Europe. Her husband prepares
for her coming. Caroline's bosom
friend, Susan Arbrie. rushes into the
house to tell Mr. Knolys that Caroline
is in trouble with the customs OIL
Gals. While he is wondering what to
do, Caroline herself appears. thinking
she has settled the difficulty.
She greets him cody. Caroline In.
forms him that their marriage stands
as Temple OF the Gods of Conven-
ton and Incidentally refers to a past
incident Of his life which precludes his
getting divorce from her Likewise
she reminds him that she never over
steps the bounds herself, 80 that he
never will have grounds to free him
self on that score.
Caroline has been Italy with Miss
Ambie and Lawrence Hildegarde San
bury. Hildegard is interested in slum
work.
The Sanburys appear In the Knolys
house, while Hubert IL still there, and
Caroline pretended to be glad to see
Hildegarde Sanbury. Meanwhile Mr..
KnOlys learns new details about the
Italian trip. ---...---- -..
To a woman Of lesser nature or OF
lesser love it might have occurred that
she wanted her husbands success to
come through herself rather than
through another woman. HiIdegarde
looked at life with wholesome single
mindedness. Lawrence was her hus-
band, he had married her because he
loved her; therefore he would continue
to love her unless she did something
to destroy his feeling-and she loved
him too much to fall him.
1t was all very simple to Hildegarde.
In love she had gone in quest of the
absolute, and 1t did not occur to her
that tho absolute does not exist in hui
man emotion. For change she did not
allow. That q woman fifteen years his
senior could look upon Lawrence ex-
cept as protege and delightful young
frierd she did not guess.
( Caroline might have called Hide
garde narrow-minded prig, who lived
in one world and refused to look into
another. But when she had said that
she would not have dismissed Mrs.
Sanbury Hildegarde deliberately made
contentment and even Joy out of all
the elements that entered into her life
: That Caroline could not understand
now or ever--destruction would be
clear to her; the constructive attitude
would only vaguely irritate her: and
so Caroline's longing would have to
be to pour some bitterness into the
maddening placidity of Hildegarde's
wholesome sweetness.
ITS fine of you to be so interested.
Larrie's never had chance to prove
what he can do. For all his twenty
five years. he is just q great big boy"
And in those very words, which show
ed an utter dangerous charm, Hide
garde made an enemy.
DO you think the tenement is quite
tte--ah. the--the atmosphere for him
to work in?" asked Caroline distilling
her first drop of poison with danger
Gus sweetness
3 MY work is in the tenements-and
he hasn't complained. Besides, offices
cost lots of money"
Yes. And have you ever considered
how very much your work In the world
might hinder him?"
"1n what way"
HildeSarde was deeply puzzled.
Hiidesrads Lays
Down a Hard Law.
Art has always been supported by
the patronage of wealth. and you can't
expect that the people whom you at
falkland publicly attack--are going
to reply by using their influence to
promote your husband"
Then Lawrence must work his way
without their influence"
The dignity Of Hildegarde's attitude
surprised Caroline for a second. But
since the other woman was not vul-
nerable at this point of attack, Mrs.
Knolys dismissed It and started anew.
with your help l hope to place
him where know he belongs But
cannot II you oppose It,"
Caroline-------- press her point
home. A queer little pause followed,
and then Hildegarde said exactly what
was intended she should say.
II don't see how stand in his way"
You have already made a difficulty
with my husband"
Then Lawrence will have to-
choose"
"Oh, no, you mustn't put that on him.
You mustn't bind him by his love for
you. For If he fails to choose properly
you will be forced to bear the burden
of his bitterness-and there is nothing
SO bitter in all the world as an artists
bitterness"
HE has his work. have mine. It's
for him to choose. lnere was uttle
sturdy obstinacy in Hildegarde's ma
ture and suddenly it colored her reply.
And is your undertaking worth his
career? knowing that he loves you
now and will be influenced by you.
have you right to make him choose"
NO more have you!" Hildegarde
felt trapped--at bay.
\ But Caroline's tone in reply had an
assumption of placid nobility. There
is this difference. / do it for his sake
purely"
80 do l."
Il doubt it." Caroline smiled in very
polite negation. but Hildegarde replied
with a passionate fervor of which the
other woman had not thought her cap
able. Don't you think it would be
easier for me to see him settled? I've
walked the floor at night. I've agonized
over his career while he has been
sleeping like a child. I've made 1t
point of honor not to allow him to
spend one cent on me.
"Oh, you're looking at this dress!
I know it's shabby-youve noticed 4.