The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1914-1938, 1916-01-13

coming of new faces as had taken
place in the brief period Of his mar
rage. 1t did not occur to him that
he had been standing still as club
member while the club had been
marching on. Only two or three men,
bers whom he knew well were there,
and they Were either going home for
dinner or had engagements to dine
elsewhere. One old friend touched a
sore spot in Burke's breast by saying:
Hello. old man, got back to the
club, have you? They all do in time.
but it generally takes longer than In
your case.
"I've not come back to the club per-
manently," replied Burke with offend
ed dignity. i've come because-be-
cause-there is no dinner served at
home today"
81 see. cook got on rampage and
lit out. That's one Of the troubles
Of married life. you know"
Burke dined alone in a room big
enough to seat 200 persons. and there
were just twenty men In It. Nothing
tasted good to him, and he only half
finished the bottle Of wine he ordered.
into the lounging room to smoke.
There was no news In the evening
papers to speak of, and, as for the Pa
risian illustrated journals with their
vivid pictures that used to be SO at
tractive to him, they Disguised him.
He received q pleasurable sensation
In being called to the telephone. Rosa
mond's voice made mis- heart throb
quicker.
lis that you, dearieY she asked
Eyes, sweetheart
Having good timer"
pretty good. How about your
'Oh, I'm having splendid time!
Mary invited my escort to dine with
us. He and l are just going out to-
gether."
Mr.. Burke made no reply to this.
He was thinking about the escort
"Give my love to the chorus girls"
came from Mrs. Burke.
'Eh?"
.'Ta-ta! My escort Is waiting for
me. l hope you'll have jolly even
ing. Don't stay out all night"
A click, and Mr.. Burke knew that
there was nothing further to be said.
1t was just as well. for he had moth
lot to say inwardly.
Several ways of passing the evening
suggested themselves to him. He
would go to theater where he had
been once well known behind the
scenes. In thx morning. If his wife
he would fling chorus girls at her.
Another plan was to go to the club
library and read till midnight. A third
was to go home and hide In a room on
the top story and let his wife worry
till or O'clock In the morning. He
hoped by that time she would be hys
terical.
He tried the library: but, finding that
he had read one page over several
times and still did not know what was
in it. he went to the theater. sat awhile
looking at q play he had formerly
thought very funny, but which now
tired him: then went around to the
stage door and was admitted by the
same official he had known when
bachelor.
How tawdry the scant costumes of
the ballet girls! How frightful the
paint and powder! Burke left the the
alter and when outside among the
Haring electric signs debated how he
would get through the rest Of the |
evening. Looking at his watch, he |
saw that It was only o'clock What |
would he do with the rest Of the even |
ing?
He returned to the club. knocked the |
balls about on the billiard table. look
ed at his watch three times in half
an hour and at 10 o'clock went home.
Il was the stilIest house he ever en-
tered. He walked the door till IL.
II his wife had gone to the theater
she would likely be home within
1 few minutes. Between II and a
quarter past seemed two hours. Going
10 the front door, he opened 1t and
ooked out. No wife in sight Slam
ming the door behind him, he strobe
away to Mary Edwards. Pulling the
bell violently. he was admitted by the
ady herself.
"Where's my wifeY he asked sharp
y.
Upstairs getting on her wraps to 60
,ome. The carriage will be here In
few minutes"
where's her escortr'
what escortT'
lis that you. dearieY' came q lugu-
|rious voice from landing above.
Down came Mrs. Burke.
I'm 80 glad you've come" she said.
Mary has been very good to me, but
We been worrying about you 20
hat
worrying about me? Why. haven't
'ou been anywhereT
Nowhere but here"
There's the carriage" remarked
Hiss Edwarde hearing r aoun6 NJ 4