Gilpin observer., 1917-04-05
heFataIDay

Osbourne had been walking through
life at jubilant quickstep, the success
OF happiness shining all over him. For
ne had put a pet theory into practice
and II had worked.
A year ago he had taken a wife, In
a sensible. businesslike way, with us
careful a consideration as though max.
ing an investment in stocks.
Maude Hollister had been his stenog.
rapher for eighteen months before he
had declared himself, and day by day
he had judiciously studied her. There
were fluctuations In her attractiveness,
of course, but he was quite satisfied
that In character and charm she would
never fall below par. So he had his
little talk with her-a very plain little
talk without any silly, sentimental
frills or pink-ribbon furbelows Of ro-
nance.
He was tired of club and boarding.
house life, he told her, and was now
in financial position to set up his
own lares and penates. A home, of
course, meant a wife, and he felt that
she of all women he knew was best
fitted to administer and grace 1t. Not
that he was looking merely for a
housekeeper-or even hostess when
he wished to entertain. She must not
think that for a minute. In q wife
he sought a friend, companion, q
life partner. But as for being in love,
and all that kind of foolishness, II
wasn't in his makeup.
And Maude Hollister had understood
and agreed perfectly.
That was the glorious part Of Maude.
She was SO sane and sensible. A wom-
an never exacting, but always com
Portable to live with-so different from
the pet-dog type that must be con.
stantly patted and fondled.
So they had married and lived hap
PLY ever after-until now.
Yes, there was a now. A now when
Jack Osbourne's walk was no longer
at jubilant quickstep, but the slow
pace of brooding thought. A now
when his shine of happiness no longer
dazzled the beholder's eyes. For once
again that thunderbolt that has shot
out of clear sky so often one would
think 1t had become blunted hit the
earth another slap In the face.
Fate decreed that certain Thurs
day In midwinter should be Osbourne's s
Ides of March.
"While / think Of 1t, my dear" he
had casually announced to his wife the
Monday evening before, as they sat
together in front of the cheerful blaze
of the living room fire, ''I'll probably
not be home for dinner Thursday
night. I've told you about the deal
with the Desmond Lumber company
we are trying to get over. l learned
today that Desmond, the president,
will be In San Francisco Thursday for
that l. p. G. luncheon given at the
Palace, and I'm planning to have him
and Armsby and Ned Thornton dine
with me at the club, so we can go over
the whole situation in leisurely pow.
wow."
But wouldn't Friday night do as
well. Jack?" Maude eagerly asked.
mo, Desmond leaves that same
night for Los Angeles. Besides. why
pot ThurSday7v
"If you wish II, there Is no why not,
of course she replied, and, clicking
on the droplight, she dismissed the sub
ject by picking up a book.
At the moment, Osbourne had only
vague sense of feeling uncomfort'
able, but as Maude's words kept com.
the magazine article he made n pre-
tense of reading, he was more and
more conscious of their sting Of sar-
casm.
"Maude," he finally blurted out, "you
must have had a reason for not want
ing me to stay downtown Thursday
Had you some plan Of your own fol
that eveningT"
81 had intended having n couple OF
tables Of bridge and an informal little
supper" she said In decidedly cold
storage tone. but my little party IL
not of the least Importance"
by George, 1t isn't" declared Os
bourne. Not compared with the i'm
portance of my getting hold Of Des
mond. And, when we can plny bridg'
any blooming night under the stars.
can't see why you are making such I
fuss about It."
81 am not making any fuss; tol'
you my plans were not Of the least i'm
portance."
1t was not what she said, but tn
way she said 1t, that made Osbourn
thoroughly lose his temper, and in tn
\rholp year of their married life nevp