Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1918-06-17
CHAPTER CyI.

CHAPTER CVI.
Without saying anything to me
George invited Madge Loring and her
husband, also Julia Collins to come and
spend the evening. To see the picture,
When he told me at dinner 1 started
to speak sharply, then caught myself
and said: "Shall We have little sup
per prepared"
"Yes, have something nice"
"Yet me see, there will be just six
Madge and her husband, you and Mrs
Collins, Mr.. Gray and myself. 1 will
tell Mary" had purposely paired
him off with Mrs. Collins.
Merton came first. He was so un-
affeetedly glad to see me, that l re-
sponded more warmly than was wise
perhaps. George had not yet come down
stairs so received him alone. But we
had time for only few words before
the rest came and George came down
to greet them.
They made great fuss over the
portrait, and really it was lovely
George seemed to proud of it, so anx
iOus that it should be hung so that
every feature would show to the best
advantage that too commenced to feel
pride in it.
When it finally was hung to please
George it was ten O'Clock and we ad.
journed to the dining room. The table
was beautifully laid for six-I had Civ
en- Mary careful instructions, and had
also told James to be most particular
l think they both understood that when
these friends of my husbands were
with us was more anxious that every.
thing should go right than at any other
time.
A Repetition.
'Madge and Loring, you and me
George, Mrs. Howard and Mr.. Gray"
Mrs. Collins said laughingly as We went
out in couples.
"That's exactly the speech Mrs. How
ard made when l told her you were
comhg," George returned.
Evidently they are both of the same
mind as to who is who Latham Loring
said in his cynical way. A way that al
ways implied so much, and left me feel.
ing uncomfortable.
"You mean as to the proper pairing
off," his wife added. "Don't It try to
blush Julia, we all know you have been
in love with George for yearsl And an
artist is always supposed to fall in love
with his model, ism t he, Mr.. Grays"
~ believe so,' Merton said so grave
ly we all laughed, then George said:
"You flatter me, Madge. Julia. you
should have told me of this love you
have hidden for years."
The light bandiage at which we all
laughed took all serious meaning from
what had been said. Yet I could not
help but feel that Madge Loring real
ly meant it, and that she had meant to
hurt me. Afterward it often came to
my mind; that speech of hers when she
had declared that Julia Collins had low
ed George for years. had felt from
the very first that there was more than
just friendship in her feeling for him
and in his for her.
They left about midnight, all voting
they had had lovely evening, even
if it were informal.
After they left George and I return
ed TO the portrait.
cit is lovely, Helen. am very proud
of it," George said as we stood before
it.
cit flatters me-
emo, | don't think so. You are very
pretty, dear. If you take the proper
care Of yourself, the proper exercise to
keep your figure, you will be a very
beautiful woman. But good deal de
pends en- Yourself"
Evelyn Laughs at Helen.
I told Evelyn what Mrs. Loring had
said.
cold catl wouldn't mind her if 1 |
were you."
81 can't help minding, Evelyn. I am
young and uninteresting. some of the
bitterness l felt crept into my voice in
spite of my effort to speak carelessly |
''I am afraid never shall be just as
George wants me to be. And l so long
to please him."
"My what a dolorous voice. do be-
Hewe you are just as much in love with
him as l am with Hurts, even if you
don't make so much fuss over him. And
what difference does it make if Julia |
Collins is in love with him, as long as
he cares nothing for hers Merton Gray
is madly in love with you. Has been
ever since he met you. But so long as
you don't love him in return il can't |
hurt either you or George"
"Do be sensible, Evelyn. The idea
that Mr.. Gray cares for me is ridicul
Gus. he is charming man, good
friend-I hope, but nothing else."
"I know better He is really in love
with you, Helen. Hurts says he has
known him always, and that Merton
never has really cared for any woman.
l didn t tell Kurt that he was in love
with you. Men are SO blind about those
things, he never would dream of such
a thing"
"Thank God he is blind if he would |
think he saw anything but friendship"
l said so hastily she laughed merrily.
(Tomorrow-An Old Married Woman) |
u a