Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1918-07-04

!. The Woman Who Changed
By JANE PHELPS
( = = . = ****** = !
THE NEW PATH.
CHAPTER CXXXXI.

More than ever, was | anxious to
please my husband-to gain that pOise
and command of myself he considered
so necessary. My little affair with Mer-
ton Gray had shown me, perhaps more
plalrly than anything else possibly
could, that loved my husband too well
to be happy with anyone else, or happy
III ] were merely away from him. Yet
I knew.I never should be really content
and happy until he ceased finding fault
with me, or, rather, until l had made
myself over so that there would be
no room for criticism.
was not very well; that, too, made
it harder to bear his caustic remarks
Realizing Julia Collins talk on tho
piazza of the Narraganset hotel, l had
said nothing to George, but had gone to
a doctor without letting him know my
errand. Wha; lie told me frightened me.
wa; to become mother. burst into
tears in his office, and he had all he
could do 20 ouict me.
- Don / be fl. 81 ,oned, you have some
months yet before anything will hap
ren,' he told INC. ana 1 blurted out:
m not Heightened for myself, and
l adore children. But my husband
wen 't'--then l stopped. l had almost
made the physician my confident. Al
most let him see that my fear of having
children was my fear that by doing
so L should lose my husband.
"He Il be fond of them, all right,
when they are has own,'' the doctor
sruffly answered. Then he patted my
shoulder kindly. lou are nervous and
upset. ] III give you something to steady
you. Don't worry, stay out doors as
much as possible, and-try not to get
foolish notions into that little head"
Vas ever woman so distressed /
wondered, as l walked slowly home. /
loved babies longed for one of my own
But loved my husband dearly, and
l would rather be childless forever thar
tc les, his love=-even the little sup
posed belonged to me.
stopped at the druggists and mad
the prescription 1iiied, then walked
slowly home. l had thought of stopping
to sec Evelyn, kut the thought of n
happiness with my little namesake made
NE change my mnd aud go direc y |
home.
felt as if this were another new
path | must walk: that it was going to
be hard and stony. l felt convinced
Rut 7 would have to do my best.
Sorrow Tempted With Joy.
wondered if I should tell George
what the doctor had told me. decided
[ wouid not 1 would keep it to myself
us long as possible. Then, in the mist
Ct my fear, came thrill of joy at the
thought that / was to have child of
my own-a thrill that remained with
me for hours. should now make dain
ty, lovely things for my own baby as
well as for Evelyn's.
would not tell even Evelyn. would
KEEP my secret from everyone as long as
| could.
AS it came time for George to come
home to dinner, the thought of what Ju
liza Collins had said again was upparmost
in my mind. George WAS fastidious to
an extreme. He was most particular as
to my looks; he always had said he ad
mired by girlish slenderness and that
it was the reason my clothes looked so
well on me. All that it would mean to
have him feel ashamed Of me, rushed
over me and threw myself ON the bed
in a perfect agony of dread, all my joy
gone in the thought that ! should lose
my husband s love.
Added Fear
Then, too, came another thought
George went out a great deal without
me now, went where other women were
women he had known and admired be-
fore he knew me. Now he would go all
the more, probably; and he would als1
have an excuse not to take me eveJ
occasionally. saw months of loneliness
before me, months Of neglect greater
than ever yet had been my portion.
1 did not cry. George would be cross
if l did But l sobed my misery in dry
fearless sobs that exhausted me. WhsS
l looked at myself in the glass I was
shocked. Hurriedly 1 bathed and dress
ed, making myself as attractive as pos
sible in gown George had chosen for
me. Then rouged my checks, and just
touched my lips with red. l must keep
looking well as long as could. Yet, in
spite Of all my preparations, / looked
haggard and almost i'll and Celeste beg
ged me not to try to go down to din
ner.
"Madame, please rest. You will be
i'll, !" she said as sank back in my chair
with sigh, after she had dressed my
hair.
"No. shall dine with Mr.. Howard"
''Madame is worried. She should not
be; she is young beautiful-has love
ly home"
t'I know, Celeste" replied wearily
too tired to rebuke her.
(Tomorrow-Gsorge Is Worried)
Shortage Of Water VIII