The Watertown news. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1917-1919, 1917-07-06

BY JOAN RUGBY.
...e.e-s..e.e-s.s.s.s-s-s-s-s..s

Margaret returned to the cool, shady
end of the veranda where she had been
serving tea to some callers. They had
now rolled away In their motors and
she prepared to enjoy the remaining
hour of the afternoon before Bob's ar
rival, as she always did, in quiet retro
spection and sort of stocktaking Of
the days events.
Bow she had worked and read and
studied to be a fitting companion to
her brilliant husbandl She embraced
every opportunity to keep herself In
formed and up to date so she should
not appear wanting. The only trouble
was that Bob never wanted to talk of
these things to her. He always wanted
to know what she had been doing all
day, how she liked the people at the
dance the night before, what she
thought Of how he was planning to
take her to Overmore to spend Sun
day, etc. 1t was all about her. He was
trying, 1t seemed, to share In her life;
not the other way around, as she would
have had it.
This afternoon she had heard some
thing, too. Mrs. Carr Harding had
said casually between sips Of tea that
''Helen Harlowe was such a wonder
full girl-so up to date and intelligent.
Really" with a very sweet smile, III
you hadn't happened along Mrs. Rich
mond, we all thought-well, Bobby did
seem interested in her, you know"
Yes, she had known. She had decid-
ed, In fact, that Bobby was going to
marry the other girl and was feeling
very miserable about it, when he had
suddenly declared that he loved her,
Margaret.
Her hour Of stocktaking today was
not very profitable. Oh, why had Bob
by married her at all when he was
sure to tire Of her?
Then she heard Bobby's car. She
sprang up eagerly.
But when the roadster stopped at
that he was not alone. It was Helen
Harlowe who was waving up at her,
Helen that Bobby was so carefully
handing out after the quick word Of
greeting for her. Bobby turned back
to the car for a travelling bag as
Helen mounted the steps.
"We've got company" he called
happily.
"You don't mind, do you, Margaret"
asked Helen.
"Why, no. I'm delighted, I'm sure I"
said Margaret as naturally and as gra-
ciously as she could.
So the two went upstairs together
while Bob put away the car and went
to his own room to dress.
Dinner is just about ready" said
Margaret, 80 don't bother too much.
I'll go down and tell Jennie to lay an
other place."
"Tll hurry" said Helen, 'but I al
ways like to look nice for Bobby. Hes
so critical, don't you think !"
Again Margaret's heart contracted.
But going downstairs she preached a
little sermon to herself. There's one
thing I'm going to show Bobby, that /
hope I'm broad enough not to be jeal-
ous."
So dinner went OFF happily and
naturally.
Later they telephoned for Alex
Brown and they all played bridge till
midnight. Then Alex went home and
Helen went to bed.
"Good night" she called back to
them from the stairs. Margaret, I've
had a splendid time. The little trip
has done me good. Don't get up In
the morning for me. have to be in
town early and I'll let Bobby drive
me in. If he WILL"
'1t's so hot, let's sit out here a lit
tie while and cool off," begged Mar
garet. opening the porch door when
they were closing the house for the
night.
"All right, dear. Besides, want to
talk to you. I've something to tell you,"
answered Bobby.
So they sat down In the swing and
swayed back and forth in the moon
light. Margaret would have been very
happy-but for one thing.
"Dearie," said Bobby suddenly
'Does it all seem queer to your
"What, Bob?'
Everything! That I've been nice
to Helen and wound up by bringing
her out here"
"No, dear. Why should it seem
queer? She's only your friend-our
friend. Why shouldn't you be nice to
herr"
He was silent a minute and then
reached for her hand. "It's no wonder
love you. could never care for-for
anyone who thought things, Margaret.
The longer I am married to you the
more I discover how truly sterling you
are. You were dear and lovely to Helen
this evening and you'll never be sorry.
brought her out here to get her away
from trouble. She hasn't an idea yet,
but the worst will be over by tomor-
row.
'Tt's been coming for a long time
and I've known it. I've done what
could, but it wasn't possible to do
much. It's financial crash. Her IA
theirs blamed for the bank failure and
well, he's gone away. The family's
travelling and she just happened to be
in town for a couple Of days. If she'd
stayed there last night she'd have had
the whole thing to bear alone"
"Oh, Bobby, I'm so sorry and SO