Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1917-09-25
Margaret CARROTS
Husband
TIME FOR REFLECTION
By JANE PHELPS \
: X X X X X x X X X X X X \
CHAPTER XIV.

CHAPTER XIV.
''I should like to take dinner with
John Kendall, tonight, Margaret. He
has the manuscript of book he wants
me to read and help him pass on"
"Why L didn't know you were inter
ested in things of that Sort" replied
with sinking heart at the thought of
the evening alone.
"You didn t! why have always been
interested in books-literary work of
any kind"
"Oh, I knew you were book worm,
but thought it was only to read them
here at hoTe.'
81 used to help John a lot before
mother died. That is l pretended to
help. Really did it because it was a
| pleasure, and mother always encouraged
Inc to spend much of my time with
John. -
Even as he talked felt he was MAX
ing a mental reservation in his moth
er's favor. ] had said nothing to make
him think I was pleased to have him
spend the evening with John Kendall
poring over some old stupid manuscript.
Yet, in spite of my reluctance to let
him see that was not so self sacrific-
ing as his mother, could not suppress
an expression of dismay.
"Your mocher was old and didn It
mind being alone"
"All the more reason why she should
have minded it. Don't sit up for me
/ shall probably be very late. If the
book is as unusual as John says it is,
1 shall get too interested to leave ii"
$50 you are going?" asked, as
tonished that he should persist when
he saw 1 objected.
eyes. Don't sit up!" and before I
could voice a further objection he was
gone.
I returned to the breakfast table and
hastily drank another cup of coffee. Del
Ia spoke to me and had to swallow
a lump in my throat before could an
swer her.
"Why don't you go over and have
dinner With Mrs. Barton, ma am" Del
u said. She had heard Bob's parting
admonit.on, so knew of course he was
to be out.
For a moment more could not an
swer. was afraid l was going to cry,
and before servant. Then all at once
l felt an overwhelming self-pity. Pity
for the woman who because her hus-
band had been encouraged by his moth
er to neglect her, thought it all right
to act the same with his wife.
1 may have been-was-wr in
having such sentiments. But they came
of their own volition; and l had not
of mind enough to dismiss
them. But after telling Della that l
would let her know if l decided to dine
out, I had time for reflection. | was
able otter a while to thrust from my
mind the thought of any intent on Bob s
part to neglect or wound me. must
make him understand that my love, my
society was now to take the place of all
those outside interests which occupied
him as single man, and were then per-
fcctly legitimate. l was at fault, not
Rob. had not impressed the fact OF
my utter devotion, my Willingness to
supply the place of all that had been
Ia his life before 1 knew and loved
him, sufficiently upon him. =
Then, too, he might have borrowed
the manuscript and read it at home
with me. Why had / not suggested itg
Peraps it was not too late, l would call
him up at the office and if he" had not /
already accepted John Kendall 8 dinner
invitation he would probably be CRATE |
full to me for the suggestion.
els Mr.. Garrett ini" 1 asked the Of
flee boy who had answered the tele- /
phone. "This is Mrs. Garrett" !
eyes, but he's busy on the other
phone. He IL be thru in few minutes.
will you hold the wire9"
"Yes.'
"HelIo, Margaret; what's up9"
"Oh, Bob, | have Just thought OF
such nice plan! we won't have to be
this evening after all. -
tsWhat in the world are you talk
ing about, Margaret Come to the point
as quickly as possible. l have a busl-
ness appointment right now.'
''Why it is thisl you borrow the
manuscript ard bring it home and read
it, then we can be together"
"Don't talk nonsense, Margaret.
1 we already told John I'd dine with
him. Run over to Elsie IS if you don I
want to be alone. Goodbye" and be-
fore l could say another word 1 heard
the click of the receiver as Bob hung
up.
1t was all my fault, l thought as
turned diseonaolately away, tears OF dls,
in my eyes. Had l toid
him nv plane BEFORE he had prom
ised TO dine with Mr.. Kendall he would
very likely been as pleased as could
lie. But as 1 was too late, would call
Elsie and ask her if she wanted me.
"Suely - she replied to my question
As TO whether it would be convenient
to have me to dinncf. fBut how does
it happen that Bob is out again7" re-
fcrring TO the night I called Tom.
''I'il explain when come over.
1 suppose it seems strange that
woman nearly thirty years old should
have seted so fOolishly. But thlhk
ever now that when one is as old as
was / VIXEN 1 married, they are more
apt 10 be dependent on the man they
rlarrv; have fewer outside interests
than the young frivolous girl who, re-
aardlosy OF her marriage still keeps up
her frieatship with her chums-
Z N,,...eaal fT4larG y