The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1915-06-24
6 A Man and His Wife,
abe Has Fine Time at the Party Without Her Husband
BY Virginia Terhune Van de Water. |
CHAPTER WV

Ao0OSA AAo0 q AAS ! AuAC al Ill
BY Virginia Terhune Van de Water
CHAPTER xxx.
That's what marriage does to 4
man."
Isabel murmured these words al
once more she turned to her mirror
and gazed at the image reflected there
She knew she was pretty tonight
much prettier than usual. Yet to the
man who had married her she was
just an ordinary person. one Of whom
he was sure that he did not bother to
pay her compliments. The spotless.
ness Of his necktie and the lateness
OF the hour were uppermost in his
mind. Yes-that's what it meant to
be married
1t was almost time for Mr.. Duval
be ready. for she would not keep her
escort waiting.
Come in" she called in response
to knock at her door,
Cynthia entered, her hat and coat
on. "Sence you an Mr.. Hamilton
dlnin' OUT she said, Il thought you
wouldn't mind eff l was to go out ear
l1er than usual. Can l 20 now"
eoAaAy you may, 1SdUel TepleO
promptly. She was glad that the girl
was going out at once. 1t was evident
that Cynthia did not know that John
was not to be with his wife this even
ing. The maid would be away before
Duval came. How this simplified mat
tiers!
Il hope you and Mr.. Hamilton has a
good time" Cynthia remarked with a
patronizing smile. Good evenin',
ma'am." The door closed behind her
and Isabel drew a sigh of relief. The
coast was clear. There would be no.
body to gossip about her movements.
Even the hallboy need not know that
the man with whom she was going
was not brother. a cousin or some
other relative.
When she was ready she decided to
go downstairs so that she could see
the cab as soon as it drew up to the
curling. Then the hallboy would not
discern. in the dim light outside. that
the man who called for her was not
her husband. She had hardly reached
the lower hall when she saw the cab
approach the house. and by the time
the occupant had alighted she was on
the sidewalk. AS the boy had opened
the front door for her she had said
hastily: Il will run right out and
save Mr.. Hamilton the bother of com.
ing in for me-"
"My dear Mrs. Hamilton!" Duval
exclaimed. ''Why did you not wait
and allow me to help you down the
steps? You might have slipped
She laughed excitedly. "Oh. l never
Slip" she, said. Then remembering
her fall on the night of Mrs. Simmons
reception, and added with another
laugh, except on rainy and slippery
nights"
Duval helped her carefully into the
cab and seated himself beside her.
You are looking mighty we'll tonight
he remarked approvingly. while
am sorry for poor Hamilton-that he
can not go to this dinner-I also con
slider his loss is my gain
Thank you." she rejoined Secret.
ly she wondered if she herself were
sorry that John could not go this even
ing. If he, instead of Duval, were
here, he and she might be arguing
about something. Then she was
ashamed of her disloyal thought. OF
course. she wished John we're here.
She wished it again when, glancing
around the drawing room as she en-
tered, she noted that not man pres
ent was as handsome as John. She
wanted to show him off, to Ida.
Il am SO sorry my husband could
not come" she told her friend, a note
of genuine regret in her voice. Il
want you to know him. But you will
meet him before long-for you and Mr..
Ferris must dine with us SOON
1T will have to be after Frank re-
turns from the business trip he starts
on tomorrow" Ida said, unless with
a mischievous laugh. II borrow a leaf
from your book and get some other
man to take his place.
1t was only jest, but Isabel felt
herself flush holly. Her friend saw
the blush and regretted her speech.
These newly-weds were always so SEN
sitive. Seriously" she added quickly.
Il know how hard 1t was to persuade
you to come here without your hus-
band. AS l see how pretty you are
at this moment, I am dreadfuiiy sorry
for him because he can not be here.
But l suppose he saw you before you
left and pronounced you perfect.
That" confidentially. lis one nice thing
about husband. He is always so
proud of ones attractions. There's no
need for me to tell you that you never
looked sweeter than you do tonight
for of course your John told you that
ONLY a little while ago."