Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1918-06-12
: *** *** y = = 80
The Woman Who Changed
By JANE PHELPS
: 4 = = y x X 3 y 4 x =
A CoNTRETENIPS.

/ received a note from Julia Collins
g am delighted that you and Georg'
are to go when do. l really dreaded
going alone. Another one of those get
ting old signs you talk about, suppos,
| shall try to run over and take tei
with you some day while George is alb
sent, and much more. In the note
she had used "George" four times. Die
she do it purpOsely, to annoy me or did
she use it uneonseiouslyl I showed the
note to Mrs. Sexton and asked her the
same question.
"Give her the benefit of the doubt y
she told me.
The day after receiving her note, Ce.
leste announced Merton Gray and Mrs
Collins at the same time. eouldn' It un-
derstand. Had they come togetherl But
| had no time to speculate.
"When the cats away, the mice will
playi" Mrs. Collins said, after she had
greeted me and / had spoken to Merton.
Meaning that because George is
away, Mr.. Gray called9" I asked, rather
putting her out of eountenanee. sup
pose she thought 1 would avoid the in
nuendo.
81 told Mr.. Gray 1 wouldn t whisper
it, so he could come right along with
me.
"I am very glad he came" l re-
piled calmly.
NM Sexton Joins Us.
$50 am II" Unperceived by me Mrs,
Sexton had come into the room. Chow
do you do, Julia9 And 1 am very glad
to see you, Mr.. Gray. 1 have something
pleasant to tell you.
"Indeedl l shall be delighted to lis
ten,'' Merton replied.
"Mrs. Howard's portrait has created
a great furore. l have heard of at Least
two who will beg. for sittings, when
they return in the fall, although as Mrs.
Edgar said: they can't hope to have
so lovely a portrait as that beautiful
Mrs. Howard. Don't blush, my dear!
You aren't to blame for being hand
some."
"You shouldn't praise children. 1t
makes them disagreeable. /" Julia Collins
said. "At least, that is what I was
taught" "
"Were you praised9" I asked in pre-
tended innocence.
Merton screamed with laughter.
"Look out Mrs. Collinsl You have
met your match in repartee. l never
knew anyone quicker to take one up,
than is Mrs. Howard. I speak from ex.
perience."
Mrs. Sexton changed the subject, and
for the rest Of their call, everything was
and agreeable. When Mrs. Col
Inns rose to go, Merton said:
GAS we came here together, will
accompany you.'' Then he explained
that they had met in the lobby of the
hotel. l was delighted that it was SO
that no prearranged engagement had
existed
George Returns After an Accident
George was coming the next day. Had
it not been that Mrs. Collins was going
with us, | should have been delighted.
But to have her as companion was
not alluring.
1t was time fct George to come. The
train had been Que some twenty min.
utss. Time, in plenty, for him to get
to the hotel. I waited, looking from the
window. But instead Of my husband, l
saw messenger hurrying along the
street. At once, l was seized with a
Of trouble.
"Celeste, Celeste" " I called. "If that
boy has message for me, bring it here
at oneei"
"oui, Madame!"
As feared, it was for me.
Celeste brought it to ME at once.
can accident to the trainl Am un-
hurt. George"
The reaction was so great, l nearly
tainted. Celeste brought me a glass of
wine, and hung over me with so much
solicitude that l finally succeeded in
pulling myself together.
/ called downstairs to the hotel of
flee to ask if they had heard any de-
,ails.
"Several killed, many hurt,' the
clerk told me. II hope Mr.. Howard was
not on the train9"
He was, but is unhuft. He wired
ne" then added, eff you hear any
hing further, please let me know"
/ wondered if George had told me the
ruth. If he really were unhurt, or if
le had sent the wire to keep me from
Finally l determined to go
lown to the station and see what |
,ould find out. Several people were be-
Tore me. Among them I saw Julia Col
ins. What was she doing therea Sud
lenly, I heard her say:
"George Howard is on that trainl |
,ame to hear if he had been injured.
He is very old friend, you know"
I turned and raced back to the hotel.
What right had she to 60 to look after
ny husbandl What right had she to
know on what train he was expected.
Tomorrow Widening Rift)