The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1917-09-29

heaved a heavy sigh. After all on
what other grounds could she com
pete? The appearance was about all
Joel could be thinking of. But was it
all2 Emma Baxter sat some time pom
dering this in her heart. Then she
took a resolve.
The next day when Joel came home
to dinner he found Miss Mildred Cook
there. To say that he was surprised
would scarcely express it. Mildred
was very pretty, very much up to date,
and the girl to whom he was most de-
voted. She had a studio, studied art,
and was exceedingly bohemian and un-
conventional. For these reasons Mrs.
Baxter knew she would not mind her
uuceremOnious invitation to dine. Bax-
ter could not conceal his very evident
delight at having the young lady to
dinner. Mrs. Baxter promised her
that Mr.. Baxter would take her home
in their car. But quite late that eve
ming Mrs. Baxter on ordering the car
heard that it could not be taken out on
account of a break somewhere, so she
begged the young lady to remain over-
night, and take a motor trip with them
to the seashOre. Joel of course added
his entreaties, and Mildred remained.
Returning late, Mrs. Baxter again
urged the girl to stay overnight, and
the next day prevailed upon her to
make them a visit of a few days. Mil
dred being something of the 'Salaman-
der type, all being fish that came to
her net, and convincing herself that
anything she could get out of old Bax-
ter was clear gain, very willingly re-
manned. The next day Mrs. Baxter
received a telegram saying a near rel
alive was very i'll. She told Mildred
she must take the next train, and
begged her as a great favor to 'stay
and take care of Mr.. Baxter" she
would not be gone long. But Mrs.
Bakers visit stretched GU into weeks.
She wrote often, speaking of the prog
ress Of the patient, and hoping to be
soon home, adding she trusted Miss
Cook was taking good care of him.
During her self-lmposed absence
for there was no iii reiative-Emma
was doing some specializing as to the
outcome. She was giving Joel a chance
to find out if he really wanted to ex-
change her for the girl. Finally she
decided to go home, and face the re-
suit, bitter though it might be. Mil
dred met her, eXquisitely gowned, and
smiling. Emma found her husband
up in his room looking tired and rather
worn. He seemed glad to see her. But
that was undoubtedly just a bluff.
Good heavens Joel what have you
done to your hair? It's awful black
in front, and three shades lighter in
the back!" she exclaimed.
well, l tried to do it myself, and !
made a mess of it," he explained.
Mrs. Baxter always touched up" her
husbands hair, and kept it a nice, even
brown, and she carefully concealed her
amusement at his discontinue.
"Great Scott! !" he growled, rummag.
ing in the closet. "Tve bought two
pairs Of slippers since you've been
gonel That fool maid never puts 'em
where I can find EN-"
Again Emma concealed a smile.
Look here Emma, 1 just can't dress
for dinner. I'm all in. 1 wish you'd
have it sent up, and tell Mildred I'm
not well enough to come down."
Emma found his slippers, made him
comfortable, and promised to send up
his dinner. Later OIL she heard from
Mildred about the good times she had
been having. Judging from the places
where Joel had taken her, and the con-
tinuous round of gaiety they had pur-
sued, it was nc wonder Joel looked
worn and tired.
The next evening Mrs. Baxter
caught Joel with his dinner
clothes in his hand. He gave them a
vicious throw onto the bed, and turned
on her with:
There! I'll be hanged if I'll put
them on! I'm going down just as l
am, if Mildred is shocked"
Il haven't been shocked all these
years when you didn't dress for din
ner," quietly observed Emma.
No" he answered. "See here EN-
ma, couldn't you tell Mildred you and
1 are thinking of taking a trip ava
to the mountains. Wen go away to,
gether, and have a good old rest"
Emma was so happy she made an
errand into the next room to do away
with the tears that would come.
ONE THING SMALL BOY KNEW