The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1918-07-11
THE TRUTH


be sure that he had loved the ffst
wife bestl she said And If she had
known, when visiting Aunt Elizabeth,
that the best looking young man in
her aunts social club belonged to that
unfortunate though interesting class,
Celia would at once have discouraged
his attentions. But Aunt Elizabeth
forgot to mention the fact of widow
hood, and when Celia found out 1t was
too late to turn back, love had claim
ed her for its own.
During the first idyllic months after
marriage. Celia settled down In eon'
tentment; Tom Brantford's affection
was too evident and true to cause dis
satisfaction in even doubtful heart.
Cheerfully his second wife took up
the homemaking task, where it had
been interrupted.
City life was very different from the
quiet routine Of her home village, the
women seemed differently gowned, too
Celia wondered wistfully II her white
ruffied frock might not be too simple,
or If pink and blue cambric was really
suitable as morning wear for Tom
Brantford's wife. 1t was Aunt Eliza
beth who first raised the question.
"My dear" she said during one OF
her calls, "why don't you patronize
Lucy's dressmaker? Lucy was always
dressed stunningly, don't wonder thar
Tom was proud TO take her about.
One met them everywhere. Toms po-
sition should warrant more than coun-
try musllns and cambrics."
Celias lovely face flushed, and when
Aunt Elizabeth had gone, she went and
stood before the small framed photo
graph of the homes former mistress
and intently studied its gracefully
robed outlines. ayes, Lucy had been
stunningly gowned, and her hair''-im-
patiently the new wife touched her
own rebellious wavy locks--"her hair
was irreproachable in its arrange
ment. What was 1t that Aunt had
said. "Tom was so proud to take her
about, one met them everywhere"
With sense Of awakening, Celia
looked back over the past bllssful
months, why, Tom had not taken her
anywhere. Every evening they had sat
together in what had seemed sweet
understanding silence.
"Lucy and Tom," the connect OF
names brought a new and poignant
pain. Lucy had been an accomplish
ed college graduate, Lucy's acquaint-
ances, Celia realized in her RETROSPECT
ton, had not called upon her. Gould
1t be possible that Tom was ashame
of his new wife's inslgnificance?
Whlningly the curly dog crept into
her lap. Cella's eyes filled with sud
den tears.
perhaps he Is good to you," she
because - you We're
Lucy's."
Impulsively she arose to her feet.
She would go back to the country
home; she would not take second
place in Toms heart Then she paused
halfway up the stair, a new purpose
had come to her. No, she would stay, |
stay to triumph, even over Lucy. The |
plan was unbearable, but she could not I
leave her husband. He must he made (
proud Of her. Several times that eve /
ming Tom Brantford glanced perpIex-
edly over his cigar at his strangely |
wife. Each day his per
plexity grew, as in dignitied silence
Celia went about her duties. But at
length she approached him almost gay I
Iy. He was busy at the time with
garden trellis, and as Tom looked from
his wife's animated face to her fault.
esSly modish gown, be whistled.
II hope you like my dress Celia
said, suddenly distant, II have been
making alterations In my wardrobe"
every nice" Tom muttered absently
1t was difficult to put pride aside, to
20 more than half way in meeting
4ucy's friends. But Celia not only ac-
this feat, but managed 50
we'll that her place was often vacant
It the dinner table, While Tom waited
Ter return from tea"
But with all Celia's successes, she
vas not happy. For she was failins
II llldL BISul6Sl lIlulHliig AVt huSbAhu
owe.
Into Toms eyes a shadow grew, be-
ween his brOws a frown deepened
Ter most elaborate toilets brought
orth no expression Of admiration, and
mong her many social invitations
here was none from him. Surely he
ould not now feel humlliated by heI
to his former wife. Then
ne day he came to her.
ST am going away on business" he
nnounced, and without further word
eparted.
After the closing of the front dooI
ella went to her room. hopelessly she
lssed aside her beautiful gown. and
Tipped into the old simple muslin,
'own to the garden she went. there
, throw herself beneath a spreading Z
zee, while the ruffies of the muslin
ress were wet with bitter tears.
Cecilia. dearest" unexpectedly ex,
aimed her husbands vibrant voice,
{ must know the reason OF all this"
sd she told him.
Then close with his cheek against
srs, he made confession.
II thought that Lucy and ! would
art with love-" he said, ''but il
owed mistake. We were too young
know. Our tastes were totally diff