The Lamar register., 1917-09-12

Inc VueSDOn WIS 50 INll bl Ebhuf
wholesome sympathy it began to melt
the barriers he had set up between
them. He had not meant anyone
should know; but the desire to be un-
derstood, when n soul Is noundering in
deep water, is often so strong as to
sweep away the bars Of discretion.
Harte let ner know something OF the
reason for his unhapplness.
Come home with me. Let US talk
1t over" she said.
The two walked on for several
blocks and entered Mamie Beck's
home together.
Meanwhile Annabel, the moment
Harte had left the house, had felt a
sudden pang Of remorse, and deter
mined to dry her eyes, rush out and
get something she knew Harry espe-
cially liked for dinner. She meant 10
have 1t all ready for him when he
cane back, and to try to make amends
for what she had said. She dressed,
and started for the shop to make her
purchases. Thank heaven there WAS
no bargain counter there, Turning %
corner, she gave start! There was
her husband with Mamie Beck. the TWO
walking slowly in earnest conyersa-
ton. They were on the opposite side
of the street, and they did not see her.
She found herself following them. il
was not fine thing to do. not even
very decent or honorable. But WAS she
not his wife? That seemed to her TO
excuse II all.
She saw them enter Mamie Beck's
home. This then was the solution
He did care for this other woman
He was tired OF her so soon Not
yet married five months, and it was
all over. the happiness, the love upon
which she had built such wonderful
castles Of delight!
She did not go to the shop. What
was the use? He might not even come
home TO dinner. She went back. flung
herself down, and wept and sohbcd as
never had she done before.
After time she heard his latchkey
in the door. She rose quickly and tried
to bathe away the traces Of her tears.
She did not mean he should see how
she had suffered, or that she had seen
him with Mamie Beck.
She met her husband with an icy
reserve that left him very little oppor-
tunity for attempts at reconciliation.
The next morning, having thawed a
little. he met her more than half way.
But as fate or some other psychology
iral factor would have 1t. that very day
she again saw Harry with Minnie Beck.
They stood outside Of a shop, and
oh horrorsi she saw him hand her
money. There was no mistuklug IL for
Mamie opened her purse and put II in,
and both laughed heartily ms they
parted.
That evening Harry met his wife
more afrectionatoly than ever. lie had
nice little surprise for her, and he
opened n parcel he had brought in.
lie proudly displayed n purple shirt
waist about two years out Of date, a
pair of cheap, yellow silk stockings
several sizes too large, and petticout
built for a miss Of fourteen.
He tried to preserve strictly neu-
trnl exterior ms he noted the look Of
dismuy with which Annabel surveyed
the articles.
Il got them so cheap, dear.
couldn't resist buying them. l hope
you like the things. l had an awful
time getting them, there was such
mob Of women. But you see 1 did
think of youl"
Harry Hartel You know / never
wear purple!" cried AnuabeL
"Oh, don't you2" he responded with
carefully assumed innocent surprise.
"And these stockings! Do you think
| wear n number nine shocf'
"They are n trifle large, aren't theyf"
"a man never knows about such
things. Please don't buy anything
more"
1t was Harte's turn to put on the
hurt air, which he did with all due
elaboration. Annabel certainly was de
void of n sense OF humor. Nevcrthe-
less about two days later he appeared
before his astonished wife with pair
Of diversified gloves, and hat Of the
vintage Of 1910, which he told Annabel
he had bought for her for next to
nothing.
This was the last straw. Annabel
ovo-lowed with Indignation.
81 see it ali !" She stormed. you
want to make perfect fright Of me so
people Will sympathize with you for
being tied up to such a trump, and so
you can get a divorce and marry