The patriot. [volume] (Indiana, Pa.) 1914-1955, 1918-06-29
THE TRUTH
BY JACK LAWToN.

Z
| known, when visiting Aunt Elizabeth,
! that the best looking young man in
her aunt'S 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 con-
tentment; Tom Brantford's affection
was too evident and true to cause dis
satisfaction in even a doubtful heart.
Cheerfully his second wife took up
the homemaking task, where 1t 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 if her white
rufied frock might not be too simple,
or if pink and blue cambria was really
suitable as morning wear for Tom
bIdullOEu > vile. II WAS AuuL bllAd-
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 that
Tom was proud to take her about.
One met them everywhere. Toms po-
sitiOn should warrant more than cOun-
try muslins and cambriCs."
Celia's 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. Eyes, 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 it that Aunt had
said. "Tom was so proud TO take her
about one met them everywhere"
With a sense of awakening, Celia
looked back over the past blissful
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 connection of
names brought a new and poignant
pain. Lucy had been an accomplish
ed college graduate, Lucy's acquaint-
ances, Celia realized in her retrospec-
ton, had not called upon her. Could
it be possible that Tom was ashamed
of his new wife's insignificance?
Whiningly the curly dog crept into
her lap. Celias eyes filled with sud-
den tears.
perhaps he is good to you," she
murmured, because - you were
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
leave her husband. He must Re made
proud Of her. Several times that eve
ming Tom Brantford glanced perplex-
edly over his cigar at his strangely
constrained wife. Each day his per-
plexity grew, as in dignifed silence
Celia went about her duties. But at
length she approached him almost gay
ly. He was busy at the time with
garden trelIis, and as Tom looked from
his wife's animated face to her fault
Iessly modish gown, he whistled.
"I hope you like my Dress" Celia
said. suddenly distant, 81 have been
making alterations in my wardrobe"
every nice" Tom muttered Gbsently.
It was difficult to put pride aside, to
go more than half way in meeting
Lucy's friends. But Celia not only ac-
cOmplished this feat but managed so
well that her place was often vacant
at the dinner table, while Tom waited
her return from a "tea."
But with all Celia's successes, she
was not happy. For she was failing
in that greatest triumph her husbands
love.
Into Toms eyes a shadow grew, be-
tween his brows a frOwn deepened.
Her most elaborate toilets brought
forth no expression Of admiration, and
among her many social invitations,
there was none from him. Surely he
could not now feel Inundated by her
comparison to his formSr wife. Then
one day he came to her.
81 am going away on business" he
announced, and without further word
departed.
After the closing Of the front door
Celia went to her room, hopelessly she
tossed aside her beautiful gown, and
slipped into the old simple muslin.
Down to the garden she went, there
to throw herself beneath a spreading
tree, while the ruffles Of the muslin
dress were wet with bitter tears.
Celia. dearest" unexpectedly ex-
claimed her husbands vibrant voice,
"I must know the reason Of all this"
and she told him.
Then close with his cheek against
hers, he made confession.
"T th017obt that Tucv and 7 vOU1d