The Nezperce herald. (Nezperce, Idaho) 1900-1957, 1916-11-16
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A Burden
The Story Of Mary Bowen 5
Change Of Mind.
By MARIE sYLvEsTRE

nome ana go 10 Deu early. ana VET
she had looked forward eagerly for
two days to this dinner at the Val
entines' new house.
That she should feel out of sorts
when the time actually had arrived
added to the sense Of grievance
against things in general that had
been growing very strong within
her of late.
Mary Bowen had been married
four years, and she was beginning
to think of herself as disapp0int-
ed woman. Her husband was al
ways good and kind, devoted to her
and the two babies, but he had fail
ed to surround her with the COM
forts she felt she deserved.
She felt annoyed at times at his
very goodness 1t was positively ir-
ritating to have any one always so
sweet tempered. It was almost a
weakness. If he were more Of a
fighter be would probably get on
faster in his business and she would
not have to take all the care Of the
babies with only a general girl" to
help IN the house.
When she spoke sharply to Win
he would look vaguely distressed,
or, patting her shoulder, would re-
mark gently, poor Mary, you're
tired out"
Well, she felt tonight she was
tired out. She and her husband
we're going to dine with her oldest
friend, who had married a year be-
fore. The Valentines had gone
abroad for a honeymoon that had
lasted 9 whole year. Now they had
come back into a house that had
been built and furnished during
their absence and stood completely
ready to receive them.
As Mary laid out the blue crepe
de chine that had been one Of her
frousseau gowns she felt bitterly
that things were not very evenly d.
vided in this world. Her husband
came IN, and she treated him coldly,
feeling resentfully that he was re-
sponsible for her hard lot in life.
When they were ready they left
the little house and boarded q street
car. Mary felt this was an added
grievance. If she could have driven
to the Valentines life would have
looked less gloomy.
Mrs. Valentine received her
guests in a beautiful drawing room,
herself attired in a Paris creation
that made Mary's old gown seem to
her own consciousness terribly
shabby.
Dear Mary murmured Caro-
inc Valentine, kissing her friend.
How do you do, VIII? 1t seems
to me yon look tired. You mustn't |
ct him work too hard, Mary. You
NOW he'd never think of himself
I'D he dropped"
@1lary's the tired one" laughed
Viii Bowen.
els she? She looks as sweet and
resh as ever" responded Mrs. Val
milne Then, a little nervously,
he added: sDick got home late to-
light, and we viii have to wait for
i'm a few minutes. He was very
Drry."
A slight eonstraint fell upon the
hree, who continued to converse,
evertheless, until at last Dick Val
ntine appeared.
Neither Mary nor VIII had
nown him before be married Caro-
ne. He was very rich and had
larming manners, and to Mary a I
Drt Of halo had seemed to hover {
Eer him in her thought Of him as |
sr friends husband.
he greeted his guests with en-
Iusiastic apologies, and his words
I'd the sound Of a torrent, they [
ere poured out so rapidly. His t
ce was flushed, and his eyes re- q
lsed to remain on anything. An v
lpleasant suspicion formed itself
Mary's mind, and she glanced at
n friend.
Caroline's eyes were fixed on her {
a look of abject entreaty, in D
hich modification and pride strug- Il
ed miserably. Mary understood {
ID with a great effort replied to Al
n hosts remarks in q natural b
amer.
A perfect dinner was served in b
e perfectly appointed dining
ON, but to Mary Bowen it was the q
ost trying ordeal she had ever
ssed through. Dick Valentine
ank glass after glass Of wine, and
Try saw him respond to his wife's Of
.quent look Of appeal with a in
l0h cruelty careless. Cd
Poor Carolinew she thought. ii
ere was no room in her mind for th
,or Mary" now. She looked at 90
husband. He did look tired, as q
roline said. There we're circles tn
49, A.. ~..s.a a~.1 h;m ol,n<lyn Ts.zs4v 81