The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1916-09-15
SUPPER FOR TWO
BY EARL siLvERs.

BY EARL siLvERs.
For quite a time before she became
engaged to Jack Abbott, Olive Akin
son had displayed a cordial liking for
Bert 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 memory. But Jack Abbott
nursed q deep resentment toward the
man he had defeated in the race for
Olives hand.
Il never liked him and I never
WILL" he said. II hope that we shall
never see him again."
'.There ts, 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 the 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 a book with which to while away
the time. On the open desk in the
corner he saw a letter addressed to
his wife. The handwriting looked I'M
familiar, and he absentmindedly
picked up the envelope. Moved by a
sudden impulse, he slipped out the
single sheet Of paper 1t 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, II shall be In
New York Wednesday for q days Wis.
it. Then I must hurry back to Chi.
cago. But before I go, I simply must
see you. Will you meet me at Man
ley's at four o'clock3 We can have q
little supper for two and talk owe old
times. Hurriedly yours, Bert"
For a long time MI. Jack Abbott
gazed at the writing before him. II
seemed hard to believe that. his wife
would disregard his wishes; would &C.
cept an Invitation from a man whom
she knew he did not approve of. But
she had done 1t. The letter and hei
absence were 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. But he, resolved to be
calm.
Hello, dear!" There was not the
slightest hint of guilt in Mrs. Jacks
big blue eyes. ""I'm sorry I couldn't
get home, but I promised a very dear
friend that I would dine out"
where did you got"
ITO Manley's."
"Oh, 4 supper for two, eh?" He
could not keep the sneer 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?"
10 He smiled grimly at her apparent
Innocence.
q 'You know how ! feel about such
things" he answered, with a hint of
dignity in his tone.
II 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
q trile defiant. II don't see why I
should not?"
"Yes," he said cynically, Sin these
modern times q woman may do al.
most anything. But you know how I
feel toward the man, and I think that
you might at least have said some
thing to me about 1t before meeting
him."
II don't know what you mean" She
looked at him ~wonderingly.
There's no use in beating about the
bush" He arose. perhaps I shouldn't
have done 1t, but I read a letter Of
yours which you left on the table"
"What letter?'
sit was from Bert Overton, asking
you to have supper with him tonight"
Suddenly Mrs. Jack burst into peals.
Of laughter, her husband watching her
with amazement. Finally she checked,
herself.
"You foolish. man. she said. did
you think Bert Overton wrote that
,letter2'
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