The log cabin Democrat., 1916-04-18
POSSESSIONS By EMILY SLOANE.


 ties of young mother, housekeeper and member of an afternoon club. It was therefore surprise to John when she announced one morning at break fast that she would like to go with him the next time he went to the city
 You'll be going down on the goth for that Axte!l case against the rail- road, won't you?" As John ventured no immediate reply, Amy added: T hope l shan't be dead weight?"
 Their first evening in the city was spent at the theater, but the next morning John expressed doubt about being able to dine with Amy that night.
 That afternoon, just as she had con- pleted her purchases, she happened to meet an old-time friend of her moth CTS family, Mrs. Marlow.
 My dear child,' said that cordial woman, after their first greetings, you must come with me to dinner and go with us to hear that poet ev- erybody is raving about-Wheless Raeburn, you know.
 After a quick trip to the hotel, where Amy left a note for John in case of his return, they were off to delightful dinner
 Mrs. Marlow's party arrived early at the club meeting. Amy looked about in wide-eyed interest at the handsome ly gowned women, the sleekly groomed men and the soft-footed attendants of the fashionable hotel in whose gilded parlors the gathering was held.
 Suddenly her eyes filled with look of pained surprise as she saw John enter with handsome woman in an ultra-decollete gown of black satin which shimmered but little more than did her smooth black hair. She car ried crimson roses. Amy found her self wondering if it could be a night mare instead of a reality.
 In voice full of deep melody the poet read his verses-poems of patriot ism, of childhood, of love. Amy kept watch on John and his companion, who had taken seats half facing her. With Mrs. Marlows motherly bigness between them, Amy could see without being seen by John.
 
 By George, This is a surprise, John. We were wishing for you at dinner, and Amy said she was sure you'd come out if you got the note she left for you in time" In his enthusiasm, MT. Mar low did not notice that his words seemed to bring look of perplexity into his face
 Amy" he asked absently. Where is she?"
 "Oh, in that maelstrom of hero wor- shipers and sycophants," indicating the throng pressing about the poet. Then, with sudden seriousness, he added: "Old boy, you're lucky man these days when truly balanced woman is distinct rarity. There's more than one woman in this very crowd whose husband neither knows knows nor cares where she is, and it's fake marriages like theirs that seri- ously undermine society. You stay here and I'll get our wives and we'll make a quick getaway"
 The handsome womans expression changed from indifference to interest and from interest to enthusiasm as the poets musical voice filled the room. John seemed discomfited, though Amy could not tell whether it was because of the woman's forgetfulness of his presence or from a desire to escape the whole thing.
 As the poets voice died away, a babel of voices rose in delighted com ment. He was surrounded and lion ized by many, prominent and persis- tent among them being Johns compan- ion. Bored by the whole proceeding, John stepped into an adjoining room and, as he would have it, walked right into ponderous Cyrus Marlow, who had been detained in a committee meeting.
 Half an hour later, John and Amy were on their way to the hotel alone in the Marlow's limousine. Amy held her head high and her lips shut tight. and John stared grimly ahead for some minutes before he spoke.
 Amy" his voice was hoarse. his sentences abbreviated, "of course I de- serve to be thrown of forever, but don't do 1t without hearing me. I've learned tonight what real values are. Most of all I've learned the value of a woman like you. That woman Is the wife of railroad official who is much away from home She was amused with my admiration until she caught that poets eye. While Marlow was looking for you she passed out and bade me good night, saying that friends who live in the same apart ment she does had just room enough in their car for her and would not let her say no to their invitation. When I saw that the poet was also of the party. I understood, but didn't care. She had passed out of my life before that, for as sat there and faced that crowd and thought of you left alone at that hotel I was ready to fight my way