Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1918-06-07
! The Woman Who Changed
By JANE PHELPS
AN UNDEsIRED VISIT.
CHAPTER XCvIII.

AN UNDESIRED VISIT.
CHAPTER XCVIII.
George was really quite i'll for days
had to change my mind about some
things, during that time. In one thing,
George had surprised me; he was very
patient, very gentle with me, and not at
all hard to wait upon. AT home, when
either father or the boys were sick.
they were terribly unreasonable. | told
George so, and he replied:
81 am glad have them beaten in
ONE thing; they are ahead of me in so
many which showed that be real
lied that l had compared him to them
to his disadvantage.
Julia Collins called up several times,
during the week George was in bed
She always offered to come over and
sit with him. l, as regularly denied her
the privilege. was sure she had writ
ten him. Two or three letters postmark-
ed "Narragansett" had come with the
other mail, but even in his softened
mood dared not question him about
his private affairs.
Then, one day, she called. 1 was sit
ting with George. He was up for the
first time. Celeste announced her.
'Tell her Mr.. Howard is not yet re-
ceiving visitors" 1 said with all the
dignity l could manage, determined that
she should not see him if could pre-
vent.
"No, let her come upl She is always
full of lively chatter; it will cheer us
| up"
Every well, Monsieur" Ceieste re-
piled, glancing at me in a commiserat
ing way which at once resented.
A Gushing Entrance
"Oh, you poor, dear boyl" Mrs. Col
Inns exclaimed, absolutely ignoring NJ
until she had rushed to George, shaken
hands, and inquired soheitoously how
he was. Then she turned to me, shaking
her ringed finger at me: "You were a
bad girl to try to show what good
swimmer you were You should choose
a time to do those things, when someone
beside George is around to risk his
life trying to save you"
81 told you over the telephone, Mrs.
Collins, that l was taken with cramps
something that is liable to happen to
anyone" 1 returned very coldly.
90 Helen is perfect fish in the
water George broke in, "She has
gone out much further, often. She never
had any trouble before.p
"There's always the first time, you
know" our visitor responded. "And
| it is always at such times that we put
the lives of some one who cannot be
spared, in danger.
She was, as usual, trying to anger
me--to make me lose what little poise
and dignity possessed. "She shall not
succeed!" l thought as 7 rang for a
cooling drink and some cakes.
cit is quite trip for you to take in
the heat" l said, as I proffefed the
refreshment. FWe are flattered that
you should take it. We know your pop
ularity, and that you have your time
all filled"
Her eyes snapped. George smiled. Not
a real smile, with his lips, but his eyes
laughed, and his mouth twitched. II
knew had scored.
"My time is never so filled that /
should not take part of it from some
one else to see Georgel"
A Sparring Match.
From that time on, during her en-
tire visit-which lasted for over an hour
I'VE kept up sort of sparring match.
knew George was amused, and so long |
as l kept within the bounds set by myl
being her hostess, | was sure he would
not be displeased.
When she rose to go, she said;
g am coming over every day, now.
until you can come ard see me. You
won t be going to the Harbor for some
time, will you2''
"Yes, indecdl' l returnd, not giving
George chance to reply. "Our plans
are all made; we shall go as soon as
Mr. Howard is able to travel. The doc,
tor told me this morning we could go
in two or three days, at the most" l
always took particular pains to speak
of George as "Mr. Howard" when the |
women he had known before we were
married, addressed him as George"
81 see that shall have to make my
visits to you at Bar Harbor, then" she
returned undismayed. 81 shall be there
now, almost as soon as you are. Your
accident has made our plans similar. y
Were we never to be rid of herr
started to say something, bit my lip,
and let George answer:
"That will be delightful We are not
apt to be as popular there as we have
been here, so l shall have more time
TO devote to my friends. The yachting,
here, has taken a great deal of my
time, You will have to help me intro
duee Helen to Bar Harbor. 1t is an old
stamping ground of Juia's," he said
turning to me.
at is nice to be so familiar with all
the resorts" l said, inwardly boiling
Perhaps, when l reach your age,
shall know as much. In the meantime,
it is delightful to have everything so
new and SO entertaining, Icannot be.
come bored as do you older people"
"We're Methuselah S, according to
your wife, Georgel" she laughed ma
heiously; 81 am as much as seven
years older than she. j"
(Tomorrow-It' Experience That
Counts)