The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram., 1915-07-27
~ VIRGINIA TERHuNE VAN De |
CHAPTER XIII.

CHAPTER xLlli.
Copyright, 1915. Star Company
1t was late when John reached home
that night, Isabel wondered idly at
his tardy return. Then she remember
ed that Ella Sanger lived downtown
and that, although she had gone In =
cab, she had undoubtedly dismissed
this at her door, John had probably
walked part Of the way home. This
solution Of the matter seemed SO nat
ural that when he entered the bed
room two hours after his departure,
she said sleepily:
Il suppose you walked uptown to
digest your dinner-didn't you?"
He hesitated only moment before
replying-"Yes. I walked a part Of
the way home. ate very heartily this
evening. you know, and walk helps
to settle ones dinner. Your affair
went off beautifully. my dear, and I
like your friends the Ferrises very
much"
She was glad he was in such ge-
nial frame Of mind. OF late there was
so often coolness between them that
she was glad when there was point
upon which they could agree and chat
amicably.
At breakfast the following morning
a change came to the condition that
had prevailed the previous night. John
wishing to maintain pleasant rela-
tions, referred approvingly to various
incidents Of the dinner ending with
You looked very sweet, Isabel.
never saw you appear more at ease
or more charming
Thank you," she said. Il was glad
if 1 looked nice-for 1 was conscious
that had on an old gown"
odd" he echoed. Why it is quite
new"
1T is year old" she reminded him.
Moreover what makes gown old is
not tn. length OF time one has had it,
but the number OF times one has worn
1t in the presence of the same people.
Thts-my only good evening dress-I
wore to Mrs. Simmons affair, then to
the Ferris dinner, then to the dinner
you gave to Mrs. Simmons. and again
last night. Every one of those people
who were here last night have seen
me wear 1t at least twice
And l venture to believe that not
one of the persons who have seen it
ever knew you had it on before" he
declared.
"You are mistaken there" she said.
"You can't prove that l am." he
teased.
Yes. can" she contradicted "The
night that Mrs. Simmons was here she
remarked on the fact that l always
wore that blue gown"
John flushed. Are you sure that
she said exactly that" he questioned
searchingly.
John Makes 4 6Iunder
In Discussing the Gown.
Something very much like it," she
returned, still without any show of
temper.
"You exaggerate, Isabel" he reprov-
ed. Il happen to know that what Ade-
laide said was meant in the kindest
way. and that you misinterpreted it."
How do you know" still gently.
Because" the tactless man inform
ed her. Adelaide mentioned to me the
fact that she evidently peeved you by
something she said. She told me that
she asked you If you wore blue be-
cause was fond of it, and that you
flashed out at her that that was your
only evening gown7-so you had to
wear it. I did not mean to speak about
this-but since you brought up the
subject l think it only right that l
should explain what Adelaide meant"
Il know what she meant" Isabel
said. There was red spot in each
cheek, still she maintained complete
control Of herself. Il also remember
her very words-which were not those
she told you. 1t is strange"-her tone
was now redective-"that she should
complain to you OF the way your wife
addressed her in YOUR home and mine
l can hardly understand her ethics.
For myself, should think that to dis
cuss a wife with her husband was dis
tinctly bad form
II declared" John brought his fist
down upon the table with a bang, "for
twisting situations to suit your own