Evening star., 1915-01-31
By E. PHILLIPS OPPENHEIM

must tell me about-your wife
"Ihere is so little to tell he answered. II have
shown her all the consideration have found it possible
to show her and remain honest She gives at times
to violent fits of temper, she broods great deal, she
reads and thinks too muc sits up too late. Her whole
of life is scarcely healthy one.
Svbil raised her veil Her large soft eyes fixed
upon his Her cheeks than usually colorless,
almost Transparent but her deicacy seemed if posi-
BILE, only increase the beauty of her features. Have
you had any further explanations? she asked.
1--WE have had several-shall call them crises?" he
replied. $50 far l concerned there is nothing
to explain. | have changed | never shall
change She is beginning to know it.
"She looks thinner Syb remarked
"She is very passionate woman, and she does her
self harm by giving way, Jermyn said quietly. Il
think myself that under present conditions should
be much better apart. proposed 1t to her; but just
at present she is unwilling.
Sybil sighed. at is so difficult she murmured. Il
suppose really nice person, and my disposition
altogether good should try and make you be-
leve that there changing the order of things,
that she was your wife, and that, however she became
your wife, her claim was the same. What would you
say me then, Jermyn?"
a should promptly argue with you' he answered,
"and hate arguments"
at would all be simple, in way Sybil went on,
"f only she did not She does for you, Jer
myn."
Il am hoping, he replied, @that it will pass"
@Women are less liable to that sort of thing than
men, she told him. "The woman who really cares
seldom changes
With little gesture he dismissed the subject "For
my part he declared, Il want to drop the burden of
these last few weary months am going to remember
only that together again.
"If you only knew what it meant to mel" she said.
@Since you left England have not been out to
supper after the theater l have neither lunched
dined out with any am not sure now that it
not mistake. People will say all sorts of things"
"What does it matter? We of ourselves.
That is enough"
at isn't for myself" she sighed, "that 1 care one
little bit. You know that However, we are coming
much too the earth again when talk about these
silly problems. Am really going to drink champagne?
have forgotten what it tastes like.
GERALD LAKENHAM stroled by few minutes
~ later, with several other Immediately dressed
young men, He stopped short when he Jermyn.
Back agan!" he remarked, holding out his hand
Jermyn nodded. He was gancing at the little COM
pany of musical comedy young women to whom Laken
hams companions making their way a got back
this afternoon"
Had good time?"
"Very, thank YOU"
"NIy man Grayson wasn't such a fool after all, was
he?" Gerald continued.
"He unnecessarily secre-i i've" Jermyn answered
dryy. "If he had treated with little
fdence, one could have appreciated his efforts more.
Gerald hesitated for moment "If it isn't taking
liberty" he ventured, Il have known Miss Cluley
long by sight it would be such honor if might be
presented"
Jermyn introduced him. The boy bent over Sybil
with admiration written in his face.
always hoped to have this pleasure, Miss Cluley,'
he declared; "but you know, you're the sort of
mysterious lady of the stage One never you any,
where, hears of you and lately you to manage
somehow to keep your photographs out of the
paper"
"You know" she laughed @there is such efectual
advertisement as self-effacement"
"But you" he replied, "are the person in the
world who needs no advertisement of any sort [ am