The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-05-29
EVENING STORY
Bobby Explains.
(By Joan Rugby-)

of the days events.
They had been married year-a
year of wonderful, unadulterated nap
piness. They had lived in town all win
ter and now were in the country TOT
the summer-not too far for BOD 10
come out every evening in his car.
Margaret loved the country; she Iell
more at home there. 1t was a strain,
more or less to keep up with BOP
| fashionable friends in town and to be
sure that she was always doing the
correct thing.
How she had worked and read and
studied to be fitting companion
to her brilliant husband! She en-
braced every opportunity to keep her
self informed and up to date so sne
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 peo-
pie 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 life;
not the other way around, as she
would have had it.
| Tonight she knew he would want to
know if the new rose bushes had come
and whether Jake had trimmed the
| hedge. He would tell her how pretty
she looked and ask if she wouldn't like
| to ride over to the Country club after
I dinner for the Heltons had said they
might 60
/ She was happy-oh, very, very hap
py if only Bob would talk to her about
things she heard him discussing with
other people.
This afternoon she had heard some,
thing, too. Mrs. Carr Harding had said
casually between sips of tea that Hell
en- Harlowe was such a wonderful girl
$50 up to date and intelligent
Really" with a very sweet smile, II
you hadn't happened along, Mrs.
. iPh WI a Rht-WpH.
by did seem interested in her, you
know"
Yes, she had known. She had be-
cided, in fact, that Bobby was going
TO marry the other girl and was feel
ing very miserable about it, when he
had suddenly declared that he loved
her, Margaret. They had been thrown
more or less with the HarloweS since
they were married, and Margaret had
heard Bobby talking with Helen about
the very things he never thought OF
mentioning to her-political economy
finance. the war on the eastern front
etc.
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? Oh, why had Mrs
Carr Harding come to say unpleasant
things?
Then she heard Bobby's car. She
sprang up eagerly, her face suddenly
radiant and rosy. Her fears were fol
solitude only When Bobby was neal
she was happy.
But when the roadster stopped al
the foot of the steps she discovered
that he was not alone. 1t 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 travelling bag as Helen
mounted the steps.
We've got company" he called
happily.
You don't mind, do you, Mar
garrett" asked Helen. -,
why, no. I'm delighted, I'm sure!
said Margaret as naturally and as gra'
: ciously as she could. 1t was the hard
: est thing she had ever done. Come
on up to your room, Helen. We al
ways have one ready, you know. And
e it's such a long, dusty ride from towr
E you'll want to freshen up before din
S ner I'll go up with you.
t So the two went upstairs together
e while Bob put away the car and went
t Ito his own room to dress.
= Dinner is just about ready" said
= Margaret $50 don't bother too much
I'll go down and tell Jennie to lay an
other place"
''Tn hurry" said Helen, but 1 al
ways like to look nice for Bobby He's
so critical, don't you think"
Again Margarets heart contracted.
l But going downstairs she preached
little sermon to herself. There's one
thing I'm going to show Bobby, that l
: hope I'm broad enough not to be jeal-
GUS He can have all the friends he
wants He thinks I'm generous, and
I'm not going to disappoint him II L
!, can't be brilliant, at least L can be
tolerant
So dinner went off happily and nat
uraIly Margaret did her best to be
amusing and she succeeded. She no
, ticed with pride that several illusions
: Helen made to things that she did not
understand, Bobby adroitly parted
: and brought the conversation back
into everyday lines. Evidently he was
in no mind tonight for high mind ed
discussions.
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. L have to be in
town early, and I'll let Bobby drive
/ me in, If he will"
. Cant You stay over tomorrow?
asked Bob
mot this time, thank you. I'll come
again.
, ITS so hot, let's sit out here a little
while and cool off," begged Margaret.
: opening the porch door when they
| were cloSlng the mouse TOT the night
"All rie hit, dear. Besides, 1 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
|
her out here"
Margaret caught her breath for an
instant but she remembered that
Bobby should never know
mo. dear. Why should it seem
queer? She's only your friend-our