Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1918-03-25
The Woman Who
Changed
By Jane Phelps
CHAPTER XXXIV.

/ 1T was after one clock when Ou
guests went away. The latter part o
the evening had been very gay. But i
spite of that and of my love for music
l had been miserable. l felt that ha
been grossly insulted-that the fact o
the professionals being engaged shoul
have been mentioned to me. 1t was won
derful that 1 had not made a faux-pas
that had not blurted out my surpris
! in some unconsidered speech. Had L no
been playing up to the moment of thei
arrival, probably should have done so
"Why didn't you tell met" [ ask
ed when George and l were finally
alone.
"Tell you what9" he asked hiding {
yawn.
That you had engaged those musi
ciansl 1t was insultingl ! suppose il
was some more of that Mrs Sexton Is
doingsl She probably told you not to
let me knowl 1t might make me feel
that l had some share in the home
live in, - 1 stormed, my anger and hurt
gathering strength with speech.
81 am sleepy. We win postpone any
discussion until another time"
The tears started. was smarting
under an indignity; and he would not
listen to me.
"Going to weep about It'll If you are
good night" he passed the adjoining
room and slammed the communicating
door. Had he gone in there at first, l
should have thought nothing of it, as
he frequently, when he remained out
late, occupied that room; [ was not a
quiet sleeper, and often disturbed him.
But tonight it was an added indignity
that / was to be left alone. And the
tears fell fast as l undressed, a process
unnecessarily prolonged. At every stage
1 gave myself up to brooding over what
had happened; then would listen to
see if George might not repent and
come back to comfort me.
What Use To Try.
When finally after listening at his
door and assuring myself that he was
asleep, 1 slipped in between the sheets,
acutely conscious of the empty space
beside me, and even more acutely con-
scious of the hurt caused by Georges
At first l felt that nothing matter
ed. What use to try to please, when
nv feelings were considered in no way2
Then the lethargy of my wretchedness
overcame me, and I gave up thinking
IF it and slept.
But when I awoke in the morning it
was with a dull headache, accompanied
oy an intense distaste for seeing any
me, when 1 realized that I had again
George But he always liked
ne to be down TO breakfast unless l
we're really i'll. 1t was the only old-fash-
oned notion he had, used often to tell
lim. So l bathed and dressed, and
hough looking pale and wan, 1 was
lown before he appeared.
"You shouldn It have got up to break
'ast, - he said as l wished him Good
And he said it so kindly that
almost cried again. "You better go
,aek to bed and take another nap af-
er breakfast. /"
''I couldn t sleep" said wearily.
"Of course you can It, if you make |
p your mind to lie awake. You look
S if you could sleep. Your eyes are
cry heavy"
That was one aggravating thing about
ieorge Nothing escaped him. He never
allied to know, and seldom failed to
peak of, anything out of the usual in
~ appearance.
An Explanation.
''I didn't sleep much, but I'll be all
ight after my coffee, - I returned
"Why didn t you sleep?" he demand
4, and l eouldn t tell whether he had
my anger of the night before,
r if he were leading me on so that I
light get it over with.
Because I felt SO badly over the
ay you had treated me. As if l were
child who couldn t be told things. 4"
"You are referring to the musicians
take it" he said coldly. 81 am sorry
on consider it anything to fuss over.
was an oversight that it was not
entioned to you. Now we II say 10
ore about it. -
Had he SAID he was sorry I resent
the lack of cOnsideration-not that
; was sorry that I had suffered be-
Iuse of it. Yet 1 dared say nothing
rther and comfOrted myself with the
ought that soon would have a din.
II all my owni and that he had pro-
lsed me to remain at home.
must be sure and give him plenty of
Vance notice when the dinner was
be, so that he would have. no other
sagement. l should be so mortified if
absented himself. Evelyn and the
st would think it a direct insult.
Is sure.
felt singular distaste to the dis.
ssion of the dinner of the night be
re, and answered eoldly when George
oke of it.
. shall be inclined to think you are
llous of Mrs. Sexton s ability" he
ally remarked, "and / hope YOU are.
will spur You to greater effort on
ur own behalf, - he added as he rose
IN the table.
(IomorrOw-Evelyn Sympathizes)
-----s-Se-~