The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1915-08-09
BY VIRGINIA TERHUNE VAN De
WATER.


Isabel was not surprised to find the
apartment empty when she let herself
in with her latch-key after parting
from David Duyal. She knew that John
would not be at home as early as this.
Even though she and her escort had
made a detour on their way down,
town, Adelaide Simmons would hardly
release John yet. {
Her glance fell upon letter lying
on the hall table. She recognized the
handwriting as that of an aunt living
In Denver-the aunt for whom she
had been named. A letter from her
was no uncommon occurrence, and
Isabel carried it listlessly into the lit
tie parlor. and turning on the light
OF the reading-lamp sat down in an
easy chair to peruse 1t.
AS she read her heart beat faster.
Her aunt wrote begging her to come
and make visit. She appreciated that
the trip would be too heavy a strain
upon her niece's resources, but she
would send her a check to cover the
expenses of the journey as soon as
she received IsabelS consent to the
plan. .....-.. -. ,.,.-. !
II am lonely, dear, and have not
seen you for year." the aunt wrote.
Come prepared to stay at least six
weeks The change Will doayou good,
and I know your husband can spare
you for while. He will love you even
better. after your return. Il know
whereof speak Every husband appre-
ciates his wife more If he has to get
along without her for time. You
wrote me that you have good maid.
Leave her In charge of the apartment
and come on to me for little rest
and relaxation"
Isabel read the letter through twice
Then she folded 1t thoughtfnlly. II
will write her that I shall be glad to
accept her invitatior-and check" she
said aloud. John doesn't need me
here. Nobody does-unless"
She stopped abruptly. Could it be
possible that she was thinking more
of Duval's need of her than of Johns
Well, II so, whose fault was It? Had
John shown any need of her? Was not
David (she called him that now in her
thoughts) always ready to stand by
her? Had he not proved that he cared
more for her than John did? But did
she care for him more than was right
She pushed the hair back from her
aching head with both hands. She
could not think clearly about her feel
ing for Duval. She knew that 1t was
wrong for married woman to accept
the devotion of any man but her hus-
band. knew also that it was wicked
for a wife to feel affection for any
man except the man to whom she was
married. She had always condemned
women who had love affairs with 9th
err men. Yet now. as she reminded
herself Of these things. she felt as II
her case was different.
Every man who drives close to the
brink of a precipice is sure that his
own wheel will never slip over the
edge If he saw another man do this
he would call him a fool. But he fam
cies his case different from all others.
Perhaps excess OF emotion had made
it impossible for Isabel to Judge her.
self and her own emotions clearly. All
she could really feel was that John did
not love her and that another woman
was ruling him. Well, If she could
get away for while she might under
stand herself better. Then she would
know what to do She might even de-
eide never to come back. If, she could
be sure after thinking OF the matter
at a distance for some weeks, that
John was really tired Of her
There was the sound OF latch-key