The Oklahoma City times. [volume] (Oklahoma City, Okla.) 1908-1984, 1917-07-03

town today
There was both surprise and a trace
2f irritation IN Dicky's voice a. his
answer came over the telephone
Il didn't know It myself until after
YOU left this morning ! returned
"MrS Durkee called me up
and asked me to come IN for a days
shopping ~
Shopping Where DID YOU shop"
There was something beside irrita-
ton IN Dicky's voice now felt thai,
he was afraid OF my answer
"Iracy's." | answered salying my
with the assurance that We
had stepped into lracy' even bought
some handkcrchiefS at one OF the cour-
tcrS I'm fact, I'm tclephonlng from
there now
"Oh" Dicky'' voice held a distinct
note of rclci knew that he had been
afraid ! would say Hambels But it
wax no part OF my plan TO put him on
his guard by admitting that Mad been
in Hambel'S store during tho day !
wanted to see his face when he should
learx4y my story OF the days advcn-
lures tina, | mus, have been a witness
of his shopping expedition with
Edith"
Have you been shopping all day.
he went on. You must be terribly
tired"
With a swift, fierce pang at my heart
| understood He did not wish me to
remain in town for the evening He
probably had planned to spend It with
Edith for whom but a few hours ago
he had so bli,hely bought an expensive
hat and suit And he would probably
telephone me, as he had done so many
times before in the last few weeks. that
he had an engagement with an art edi-
tor"
"Tickled to Death"
\ Jealous rage as prrHitive as that
felt by any prehistoric woman seized
me logged to shriek my knowledge
OF his scliaus over the telephone. But
| put it away from me- firmly com
pelled my voice TO na,uralness.
knew that Mrs Dufkee was telcphon
ing her son. making arrangements TO.
the four OF us to stay in town and have
dinner at some restaurant. | knew that
Dicky could hardly help acquieScing in
the plan, on account of the Durkecs
even IT he wished TO put so pronounced
a slight upon me
SO answered him with Just the
right amount OF conjugal iriendliness
in my tone
why no. am not tired at all In
fact, Mrs Durkee is telcphoning Al
fred now, to ask him to stay in for
dinner and perhaps play, or vaude-
vile was to ask YOU about it. OF
course. YOU can go We don't often
come into town. YOU know"
Dicky muttered something, the words
Of which | could only half catch, and
which he evidently believed could not
hear
What did you say'" asked sweet
ly
Nothing, except to try to get a bet
ter connection from central" my hus-
band replied promptly and mendacious-
w. You're shouting car go' Tickled
to death Where shalt we NEE, youi
madge Sees Beyond
AT the lennsylvania station waiting
room" replied quickly for Mrs. Dur.
kee and ! had arranged this detail be
forehand I'VE are going to get a
dressing room there ard ireshen up a
bit. Suppose you come over there by
o o'clock That's the TINT MS Dur
kee thought would be best"
Fine business" returned DidJ en-
Enthusiastically, and with amarement
noted that there wasn't the slightest
sign OF reluctance or distaSte in hi,
manner Anyone would have sworn that
he was eager for the proposed expedi'
ton
"All right" said laconically. We'll
meet you al that time Good-by."
Good by" and | heard a click Of
the receiver, then an explosive; Wig
orous Damn IT," from Dickys lips
and second click,
! knew what had happened as we'll a,
II had been at Dicky's side He had
kept up his pretense OF being pleased
with our plan to the very last moment
Then he had hung w the receiver. a.
he supposed, uttered the oath which ex.
pressed his real sentiments, and then
discovered that in his impetuous turn.
ing away from the telephone he had no,
secured the receiver properly Hence the
second click,
] did not know until ! heard the Wig
orous oath that, woman-like, | had
hoped against hope that there was som,
unexplained reason for the scene | hat
witnessed in the department store, ant
that Dicky's apparent pleasure In our
proposed evening together was gen.
uine.
But the treacherous telephone re
ceiver had betrayed him. ! faced IN,
knowledge that my husband was alb
solutely dismaycd at the prospect oI
spending the evening with me, insteat
OF the way he had planned
Copyright, 1919