The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1916-12-06
SUPPER FOR TWO
BY EARL SILVERS.

a5ert Overton. But after she had given |
her word to Jack, Bert had gradually |
been forgotten, until, shortly after her |
marriage, his name was little more
than a memofs. But Jack Abbott |
nursed a deep resentment toward the |
man he had defeated in the race for
Olives hand.
Il never liked him and I never
will he said Il hope that we shall
never see him again."
'"There is really no need to worry"
Mrs. Jack answered, placidly. Bert
has gone into business in Chicago and
doesn't expect to come East for
years"
After that Ehe other mans name
was not mentioned in the Abbott
household. Mr.. and Mrs Jack lived
in blissful peace.
But one afternoon in early summer
Mr.. Jack reached home at about
three O'Clock. He had hoped to find
Olive ready and willing for a set or
two of tennis before supper, but he
was doomed to disappointment. No
Olive awaited him.
Did Mrs. Abbott say where she was
going?" he asked the maid.
"Yes, sir" the girl answered "She's
gone to the city and will not be back
until this evening. She told me to
tell YOU that you had better eat supper
alone"
Mr.. Jack frowned Tennis seemed
suddenly to have lost its charm, so he
wandered into the library in search
of book with which to while away
corner he saw a letter addressed to
his wife. The handwriting looked I'M
familiar, and he absentmindedly
picked up the envelope. Moved by
sudden impulse, he slipped out the
single sheet of paper it contained and
glanced over its contents.
Suddenly his eyes contracted, his
lips forming in a straight, thin line.
He read the letter carefully, from be-
ginning to end. an expression of Won
der on his clean-cut face.
Dear Olive" he read, Il shall be in
New York Wednesday for a days Wis
it. Then l must hurry back to Chi
cago. But before l go. | simply must
see you. viii you meet me at Man
/ ley's at four O'clock? We can have
little supper for two and talk over old
times. Hurriedly yours, Bert"
For a long time Mr.. Jack Abbott
gazed at the writing before him. 1t
seemed hard to believe that his wife
would disregard his wishes: would ac-
| cept an invitation from man whom
she knew he did not approve of. But
/ she had done it. The letter and her
/ absence We're conclusive evidence.
| Mr.. Jack neither read nor played
| that afternoon. He walked from the
! library to the porch and into the Ii.
brary again.
When Mrs. Jack reached home, he
had worked himself into an unusual
/ state of mind. Bat he resolved to be
calm
Hello, DEAR" There was not the
slightest hint of guilt in Mrs Jack s
| big blue eyes. I'm sorry l couldn't
get home, but 1 promised a very dear
friend that | would dine out"
where did you go?"
''To Manleys."
/ "Oh, q supper for two, eh?" He
| could not keep the sheer out of his
voice, and she looked at him in won
/ der.
What's the matter, dear?" she
| asked. Didn't you want me to go?''
He smiled grimly at her apparent
| innocence.
You know how 1 feel about such
things" he answered, with a hint of
dignity in his tone.
Il didn't think you'd care at ALL"
She seemed puzzled.
Didn't think I'd care!" He flushed
angrily.
"Other people do it, Her tone was
trifie defiant. II don't see why ]
should not?"
Yes" he said cynically, "in these
modern times a woman may do al.
most anything. But you know how
feel toward the man, and l think that
YOU might at least have said some.
thing to me about it before meeting
| him.
Il don't know what you mean" She
looked at him wonderingly.
There's no use in beating about the
bush" He arose. Perhaps | shouldn't
have done it, but l read a letter OF
yours which you left on the table"
what letter."
at was from Bert Overton, asking
you to have supper with him tonight
Suddenly Mrs. Jack burst into peals
Of laughter her husband watching hel
with amazement. Finally she checked
herself.
you foolish man." she said. Die
you think Bert Overton wrote thai
letter?'
Think" Her laughter anrreC
him. Cant l read?"
Listen, dear" She placed her hant
on his arm. THAT letter is from Ru
berta Spencer, a college friend OF
: mine. We always called her Bert
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