The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-08-11
EVENING STORY
Supper For Two.

Supper For Two.
(By Earl Reed Silvers.)
For quite a time before she became
engaged to Jack Abbott, Olive AKIN
son had displayed a cordial liking for
Bert Overtcn. But after she had CIV
en- her word to Jack, Bert had grad
ually been forgotten. until, shortly al
ter her marriage, his name was little
more than a memory. But Jack ADJ
bolt nursed a deep resentment toward
the man he had defeated in the race
for Olives hand.
st never liked him and 1 never
WILL" he said. ~ 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 the other mans name
was not mentioned in the Abbott
in blissful peace. Jack came home
from business every evening and sat
with his wife on the spacious porch of
their suburban home; occasionally
they attended a dance at the Country
club and once or twice a month they
spent an evening in New York, where
dinner was followed by a visit to their
favorite play. Not a word marred the
marital horizon.
But one afternoon in early summer
O'Clock. He had hoped to find Olive
| ready and willing for 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
gone to the city and VIII 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 letter addressed to his wife.
| The handwriting looked unfamiliar,
| and he absentmindedly picked up the
envelope. Moved by a sudden impulse,
he slipped out the single sheet of pa
per 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 begin
| ming to end. an expression of wonder
on his clean-cut face. Laying the en-
velope on the table. he drew forth his
pipe, lighted it and puffed vigorously.
Then he called the maid again.
Did Mrs. Abbott say what she was
going to do in the city?" he asked
mo. sir; she just said that she
was going to meet a friend and would
not be home until late
"All right, Annie. That will do"
When the maid had left the room,
he picked up the letter again.
Dear Olive" he read, ct shall be
in New York Wednesday for a days
| visit. Then must hurry back to Chi
| cago. But before 1 go, I simply must
see you. Viii! you meet me at Man
ley's at o'clock? We can have a
little supper for two and talk over old
times. Hurriedly yours, Bert"
For 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 a man whom
she knew he did not approve of. But
| she had done it. The letter and her
absence were conclusive evidence
Mr. Jack neither read nor played
that afternoon. He walked from the
library TO the porch and into the IL
brary again. He reviewed the time
| before his marriage when Bert Over
| ton had been a persistent sutton for his
wife's hand; he recalled the day on
which the engagement was announced.
| and the manner in which Overton had
| received the news.
When Mrs. Jack reached home. he
had worked himself into an un,,sua l
| state of mind. But he resolved to be
calm
| slightest hint Of guilt in Mrs. Jacks
| big blue eyes.
did you have a good timer" His
voice was smooth.
Fine; did Annie give you enough
to eat?"
Yes. thank you" He was notice
ably polite.
I'm sorry couldn't get home. but
I promised a very dear friend that I
| would dine out"
Where did you go?"
ITO Manleys."
"Oh. a supper for two, eh?" He
could not keep the sneer out of his
voice, and she looked at him in won
der.
whats the matter, dear?" she
asked. Didn't you want me to go ?"
He smiled grimly at her apparent
| innocence.
You know how I feel about such
things" he answered. with hint of
dignity in his tone.
81 didn't think you'd care at ALL"
| She seemed puzzled.
Didn't think I'd care!" He flushed
angrily.
a trifle defiant ct don't see why 1
| should not
Yes" he said cynically. I'm these
modern times a woman may do almost
anything. But you know how feel to-
ward the man, and 1 think that you
might at ledSl nave SdlQ something TO
me about it 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
shouldn't have done 1t, but / read a
letter of yours which you left on the
table"
What letter."
1T was from Bert Overton, asking
you to have supper with him tonight"
From Bert Overflow"
Yes, from him. 1t was signed with
his namei"
| Suddenly Mrs. Jack burst into peal
/ ing laughter, her husband watching
her with amazement. Finally she
checked herself.