Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1917-12-17
Margaret CARROTS
araa
CHAPTER LXXXV.
+ By JANE PMELPS \.
\ X X X y \ X \ \ X * X X y

! BOD was coming. had had SNORT
note telling me when he would arrive.
My heart sang for joy; and 1 could
scarcely wait for the expected day.
! 1t came at last, and early in the
morning 1 went into town, to keep my
appointment at the beauty parlor. [ had
made it by telephone as soon as l re-
seived Bob IS note. would look my best
wheMn l met him. Perhaps Elsie was
right about it, and if I took more pains
to beautify, to keep pace in that regard
with other women he knew, and saw, he
would be more attentive.
! So | sat down before the little mas
seuse in happy frame of mind. And
all the time she manipulated the muscles
of my face and neck l was wondering
what Bob would say; if he would tell
me l looked young-as Elsie had done.
l had my hair dressed and my nails
manicured before [ left; and once, more
as | looked into the mirror l was pleas
ed with my reflection. Beauty parlor
mirrors and lights are purposely arrang-
ed to make one look ones best. did
1T know that then, so was perhaps un-
duly pleased with my appearance
AT least | had given three full hours
beside the greater part cf five dollar
bill in the attempt to make myself at
tractive in my husband s eyes. And
strange as it may seem in view of my
ideas on such subjects, my feeling that
it was man s DUTY to love his wife;
| really expected Bob to be pleased and
to flatter me.
l had another hous to wait for the
train, and | went into a restaurant not
far from the station and drank a glass
of hot milk. had eaten but little break
fast and felt a little faint As 1 slipped
the milk | thought 1 detected glances
of admiration thrown in my direction,
and while | should have quickly resent
ed anything approaching impertinence
could not help being pleased-because
if | were attractive to strangers, sure
ly would be to Bob.
When the train came in I was wait
ing directly in the path of the incoming
travellers. | saw Bob long before he saw
me, and my heart beat almost to suf-
location. forgot all about my wonder
full preparations ON his account; all
about everything save that he was back
and would be with me.
"Why, hello, Margaret; what brought
you here?" was his greeting.
81 came to meet you," tritely re-
piled.
"That 8 too bad! we got to see John
before L come down. [ shall probably be
late.''
"But I came in town purposely to
meet you," I interposed.
Gas | said, L am sorry, but it can t !
be helped. l must see John about some
important business after | get thru at |
the office. I may find things there also
to keep me" Then he added cit was
a foolish thing for you to do unless you
had some errand to bring you in.
AS he spoke / thought of my errand
He had not even noticed my pitiful at |
tempt to make myself attractive.
"You are looking well, - 1 said in an
attempt to make him look at me. And |
he was. His eyes were bright, and he
looked fresh and somewhat more bOyish
than when he went away.
81 am feeling bullyl'' he replied as
he motioned for taxi. ''Where shall
leave you, Margaret. Have you some
shopping to dos"
eyes, you may leave me at Tracey IS
my voice sounded weak and far away.
A chill like the grasp of icy fingers
clutched my heart. He had been away
for nearly two weeks; and had met me
as if he had seen me only the hour be- |
fore. My elaborate efforts were wasted |
He cared nothing about my looks; had |
II t noticed me at all. At the thought !
the slow tears oozed between my eye
lids which L had closed tightly in an
attempt to force them back. let them
fall unheeded If l wiped them away /
he might see that L WIS crying and |
grow angry.
Boys all righta' he asked after a
minute.
''Yes.''
"That s good l suppose you have be-
come quite friendly with that Mrs.
Baldwin while have been away" ("
"0h, not so very" 1 knew he was
trying to make conversation, SO would
volunteer nothing.
81 expected to come back and find /
you inseperable. 1 do hope you will
make some friends down in the country;
1t will be pleasanter all around. Here
we arel' the taxi had stopped at Ira
,ey s. If l am not home in time don t
wait dinner for me. may take snack
with John.
sat staring stupidity at him. want
ed to object; wanted to beg him to
come home with me, or let me stay, in
with him. But | was afraid TO speak,
[ couldn t trust myself not to cry.
Come" he said, holding out his
hand to help me out, and l got out of
he cab and went into Tracey S without
speaking.
l went through the store and out of
/ side entrance. 1 would go home at
)nee. So l called taxi and hurried to
he only place where could indulge my
disappointment unseen.
4" How lovely you look, ma 'am.'' Dell
a said as she opened the door. " Did
you meet Mr. Garrett3''
''Nol 1 didn t meet him. 1 replied
is l went past her up the stairs.
Tomorrow Searching for Help
ARNFy F4TEHW AYAFAN