Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1918-06-25
: : The Woman Who Changed
By JANE PHELPS
THE REACTION
CHAPTER CXIII.

scarcely spoke again that evening,
and George did not except when asked
question. l was discouraged, depressed
l knew I had not been tactful. had
impulsively. arraigned him instead of
telling him quietly how / suffered from
his non-appreeiation of my efforts to
please him. The reaction of the day s
excitement was telling on me. I felt a
morbid pleasure in assuring myself 1
had lost them both; that l had dis.
missed Merton and had not won any
thing by doing it.
"What was the use trying to be good
and do rightY" 1 said to myself as
after an hour I bade George good night
and went up stairs. wanted to be
alone. The regular turning of the leaves
of the magazine had irritated me-. Ny
nerves were on edge. As l look back l
feel that it was wonderful that 1 could
have attempted to talk, to reason with
George after the strain of the night be-
fore and of the interview with Mer-
ton. But then 1 could not reason; | could
only suffer.
| went Immediately to bed, and in
stantly fell asleep.
The next morning George said
laughingly:
"What had you betn eating7 You
snored like pirate last night. I woke
you several times, rather tried to, but
you went right on snoring"
"Oh, l hope | didn't disturb you, ;"
I said, mortified, and blushing hotly.
"Who Sc got better right" he re-
turned tweaking my ear.
If She Could Only Understand
I was frankly surprised at his good
nature. / must have kept lin awake;
he had been cross with me the night
before. Would l ever know him, ever
understand his different modest
At breakfast he was very pleasant; al
most jolly. He teased me numerically
about snoring; said he was going to
bring home a pincher for my nose, and
lot Of other nonsense. When he was
ready to go he said:
"Come down town and havel luncheon
with me if you like. shall not be very
busy today"
"That will be treat" I said quietly.
Just in time 1 remembered Mrs. Sex
toms advice ansnt being meek, too
meek. Usually had gushed over such
an invitations and thanked him full
somely as if it were no pleasure at all
for him; that the joy was all mine.
"It will be for me also," he had said
then kissed me as carelessly as usual.
I danced about the house all the
morning. ! laughed and talked with Ce-
leste while she helped me dress; tell
ing her to make me lovely.
l was little early az the restaurant,
so waited in the lobby for George. While
I waited, Mr.. Carpenter, whom I had
met the first time L lunched there, came
in, and seeing me alone came directly
up to me.
care you lunching here9" he asked.
eyes. I am waiting for Mr.. How
ard"
"Just my luck. Every attractive
woman I know is always waiting for
some other man." he returned. The
words meant nothing, but the tone, and
the look that accompanied them made
be blush. He had just left me when
George came in.
"What are you blushing for9" he
asked.
"That Mr. Carpenttr was just talking
with me, (" and repeated what he had
said.
George Shows Flash of Jealousy.
"The fooll" George said under his
breath, then Che better not poach on
my preserves, he took my arm and
we went in to the table he had reserv-
ed by telephone.
was so happy I could have laughed |
aloud. George had really shown lit.
tie Jealousy. He was not really angry;
it was more the petulant expression
Of jealous lover. 1 was sure now that
would have pleasant lunch hour;
and strange as it may seem the little
incident helped me to feel 1 had done
exactly right in dismissing Merton
1ray. That such a momentous action
should even in my thoughts hang upon
such trivial incident was ridiculous
of course; but in my mood at that time
nothing seemed too small to be of con
sequence as it affected George and me,
After luncheon, which had passed off
almost gayly, George had another sur
prise for me.
81 have to go over to Leonard Parkn
"a town very near us-''I thought
perhaps you would enjoy the ride; so
.old James to meet us here with the
touring car"
Again 1 thought of Mrs. Sexton. l
would not show too much enthusiasm.
Yet knowing how he disiked long
'ide in an open car 1 knew he had or.
lened the touring car to please me.
81 shall enjoy the ride. 1t will do
'ou good also. You looked bit tagged
when you came in to luncheon" F"
$50 you noticed it'll I was tired out
)ne of the men in the office is sick
He didn' show up today, and things
we're a bit snarled in consequence. But
feel bully now. l guess was hun.
,ry," he then motioned Mr.. Carpenter
o come and have coffte with us. "He
mustn't think I minded his speaking
0 you, so confirming my suspicious.
(TomOrrow-An Unpleasant Ride)
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I y i. y = 4, 4. 4, 4. n a. 4, a. 4. |