The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram., 1915-04-21
"A Man and His Wife
John Hamilton Meets an Old Flame the Theatre and
Isabel Asks Her Name

Isabel Asks
~ VIRGINIA TERHuNE VAN De
WATER.
When conditions are favorable 1t
does not take very long to 60 from
the One Hundred and Eighty.first
street subway station to Ninety-sixth
street. Isabel, in reckoning when she
would reach home, had not considered
the time needed to walk from the
region OF Riverside Drive to the sta.
tion. nor from the Ninety-sixth street
station to her home on Ninety-fourth
street. She was 80 late that she ran
the last block of her journey. Then
the thought flashed through her mind
that it would not hurt her husband
to worry little about her. Had she
not worried about him last night?
She saw a look of relief cross Johns
face as she entered the door of the
apartment. He was standing in the
hall, just where she had stood last
night when he returned from his club.
A sudden realization of the reversal
Of the positions made her gigle ner-
vously. Johns face relaxed into
smile at the sound. Perhaps the same
thought that had occurred to her oc-
Cured to him also, for the words OF
disapproval Of her tardy arrival took
a gentler form than he had planned
to give them.
"Ah, my DEAR he said. II was
wondering where you were, for you
have never been out as late as this
alone 1t is dinner-time now"
Yes she agreed. II was detained
am sorry. I've been up to see Ida
Ferris, and it took longer than !
thought to come from her house. II
hope you have not worried"
She felt very magnanimous as she
expressed this hope.
Not just worried" he told her.
But when one has a pretty wife one
likes to see her whenever he comes
home l have planned little treat
for you this evening, dear"
What is it?"
81 have bought tickets for the
theatre" he replied.
Impulsively she went to him and
put her arms about his neck.
Thank you, dearest" she said
gently. ut was sweet Of you to do
that"
Il wanted to give my darling little
wife a treat" he returned. "She de-
serves it,
They Do Not Wipe
Out the Bitterness.
It was his method OF apologizing for
his harsh speeches of the night before.
Her manner of receiving the planned
pleasure was her method of accepting
his unspoken apology. Such ADJUST
ments are all very we'll in their way,
but they did not wipe out the memory
of the bitterness and injustice on both
sides as a verbal and honest request
for pardon would have done. Yet some
married couples make up" their quar-.
rels in that way.
The conversation over the dinner
table was agreeable, if slightly hur-
ried. Cynthia had forgotten to COOK
the second vegetable that her mistress
had ordered--a fact upon which John
commented. But Isabel made no re-
ply to his complaint. She had decided
to change her street costume Tor
more elaborate gown in which to at
tend the theatre. So. leaving Jonn
alone to finish his coffee, she hastened
to her room. She saw that her nalr
must be re.arranged. Then the gloves
she had selected were not as fresh as
she thought they should be. and AFTER
she and John had reached the door OF
the elevator she ran back to get an
nther pair. John frowned impatiently
as he glanced at his watch.
1T is too bad. Isabel" he remarked,
that YOU stayed out so late this after.
noon You have had % rush to get
readv-yet I'm afraid that we'll be
late
II can't help it," she returned. There
was silence between them until the
theatre was reached. AS is usual in
New York playhouses the curtain rose
ten minutes after schedule time and
the young couple had plenty Of leisure
to remark to each other that, after all.
they need not have hurried as much
as they had done.
yet" John added. you are not a
rapid dresser, and if you had known
you had time you would probably have
been late"
Isabel bit back the sharp retort that
she longed to utter. Why was 1t, she
wondered that she and John seemed
so much at odds lately? She remem-
bered Idas simile of the swimmers.
Were she and John coming to the sur
face and not close together? The idea
filed her with sharp fear, and she felt
for her husbands hand and gripped it
tightly.
What's the natter" the man asked
practically. What do you want?'
oh. nothing" she murmured. Only
was Just thinking that l could never
spare you
She did not know that she was look
ing at him with more affection than
was in good taste in public. But her
companion flushed uncomfortable
For PHYS sake, let go Of my hand.
he said soto voice There are some
people know right behind us, and
they are looking at u.s."
The wife withdrew her hand quickly
and, at the same moment, John turn
A~>>4~>4 II lHl ,ass,.