The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1915-07-31
BY VIRGINIA rERHuNE VAN De
WATER.

When Isabel Hamilton on her walk
up town, reached the Fifty-ninth street
entrance to Central Park she went in.
unthinkingly. and continued her soil
tary promenade. She was scarcely
conscious of where she was going ex-
cept that she was on her way home
and that she was SO unhappy that she
wished to be alone. She felt this at
ternoon as If she must reorganize her
life. Yet how could she do it? Well.
she would find some way to make the
most OF what was left to her.
For one thing, she would not be de-
ceived again by her husbands talk on
economy. She would ask him boldly
for money for such dresses as she
needed. II he could take another WON
an out to luncheon he could give his
own wife some of the dainties which
she craved.
She had strolled off upon a by-path
when she was reused from her reverie
by some one behind her speaking her
name. Turning, she faced David Du.
val. He was laughing and slightly out
of breath.
Il thought it was you l saw cross
the road back here!" he exclaimed.
Il caught glimpse of you just before
you disappeared around that shrub
berry, and l gave chase, but did not
like to advance too rapidly for fear
the lady might not be you and ! might
be accused of following the wrong per-
son. How do you do!"
His head was bare and his eyes
sought hers eagerly. AS he stood tnus'
flushed and smiling. Isabel found him
To ct evident that
liked her very much. Her sore heart
stirred at the thought. Here, at least,
was a man who considered her attrac-
tive. This knowledge was a balm to
her wounded pride.
II am mighty glad to see you," she
said. with a frankness that surprised
and pleased him.
"You were going so fast that
thought perhaps you were running
away from somebody" he teased.
"Only from my own blues and dis.
agreeable musings" she told him.
"Well, am not much Of compan'
ion, but perhaps you will find my COM
pany as agreeable as the blues" he
said with a whimsical smile. May
walk to your destination with you?-
or will be nuisance?"
II would be very glad to have you,
she assured him. Il am tired OF my
own society, Of myself, OF almost ev'
erything and everybody"
She spoke bitterly, and as he fell in
to step beside her he scrutinized her
face keenly There was rebellious
expression that told this student OF
human nature that matters were not
well with her She did not attempt to
walk fast now, but sauntered slowly
along the sheltered path.
Duval Synpathizes
With Her Trouble.
"You are tired" Duval affirmed.
"Would you like to sit down on
bench for a few minutes?" -
II don't care" she replied. Yet she
followed his suggestion as they reacn-
ed an unoccupied bench at the side or
the walk. He took his seat beside her
and again removed his hat.
1.-The weather Is unreasonably
warm" he observed. THE first genu-
inc Spring days take the strength
from one and are often depressing.
This may account for your blues as
you call them"
NO" she denied. There's no use
in my pretending that the weather mas
aanything to do with my present state
of spirits. I suppose that should have
the pride to agree with your kind re-
marks-but somehow I haven't"
He had never seen her in this mood,
and he suspected that something un-
usual had happened to disturb her.
His suggestion that her depression had
been caused by the sudden change OF
weather had been but an experiment,
a "feeler," on his part. He had wanted
to know if there was something tangi-
BILE troubling her. Now he knew. He
was not aware just what was the
cause of her unhappiness, but he was
sure he could make a shrewd guess.
Mrs. Hamilton" he ventured. do
not think me officious-but If there Is
ANYTHING about which could help you
please believe enough in my friend
ship to put it to the test"
Thank you!" she said. Her lips
twitched, but she was dry-eyed. She
was in that perilous state of mind for
married woman when she resents
her husbands treachery and yearns
for somebody to be good to her "You
are very kind" she said TREMENDOUSLY,
but there is nothing that you-or any
one else-can do to help me. know