Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1918-06-15
CHAPTER CIV.

CHAPTER CIV.
We left the next day for Bar Harbor.
George was a bit dependent upon me
because Of his sprained wrist. 1t gave
me- quite a wifely feeling when he ask
ed me to help him. Julia Collins was
with US, and would offer to assist
George whenever he appeared to want
anything. Invariably he told her:
Helen will help me, thank you,
Juia."
could have shouted with glee! 1t
really made me feel resigned to her
presence. We had charming rooms at
the hotel, and felt sure was going to
like the HarbOr, much more than I
had Newport. l was so happy that
George was different, was disposed to
look upon everything favorably
But as the days passed and George
recovered from the shock Of the accident
and regained the use of his hand, once
more Julia Collins asserted herself. She
was not woman to yield easily to
another. 1t seemed to me at times as
if she thought had absolutely no right
to my opinion, no real right to be mar
ried to George. But I tried desperately
to remember all Mrs. Sexton had told
me, and to follow her instructions to
Gse the same weapons Mrs. Collins did
to interest George.
A Matter Of Clothes.
watched Mrs. Collins closely. no
tieed she invariably wore colors George
admired; and that if he told her par
ticular gown was beeoming-which he
was apt to-that she wore that gown
frequently although she might have
many more beautiful ones. So l took a
leaf from her book on dress. l took
thought each time dressed. chose col
ors George liked, and the gowns he had
claimed suited me. was repaid when
one day he said:
You are very smart nowadays, Hell.
EN-. | like to see you always well dress
ed. If you need anything to add to your
wardrobe order it.''
We spent most of our time upon the
water. 1 had learned to overcome the
feeling of mal-de-mer, and enjoyed
nothing so much as long day fishing
with George. Occasionally we would go
alone. Then L was wildly happy. Often
er Julia Collins and others were with
US. At such times l was so busy trying
to play the hostess in a way to please
George, trying to keep my temper and
my poise in spite Of anything that hap.
pened / had no time to really enjoy
myself. Yet when George would show
by word or look that he was pleased
with me, | was not unhappy.
So the summer went by. The middle
of September found us back in More
lands. The decorators had been at work
during our absence and the hous. was
in perfect order. Mary, the cook, James
and Annie had each returned from their
vacations-taken in turn-and were
there to receive us.
doesn't it seem good to be back
home?' asked George.
"That sounds as if you hadn't en-
joyed your summer"
"Oh, I did! But everything is so love.
ly, and l know we are going to be so
happy
'There is no reason you should not al
ways be happy. II is your own fault
when you are not"
"Not always, George. Sometimes /
am unhappy because Of the actions of
others" II was daring thing to say
to him, but he apparently paid no at
tention.
Evelyn Reeves Makes Confession.
81 have sent word to Gray to come
and hang your portrait" he remarked.
eyes"
81 want it hung in a good light, and
| do not feel competent to judge Of the
best place for it,"
When will he comet"
"Tomorrow night"
l was pleased, as l always was at the
idea Of seeing Merton Gray, being with
him. Yet George had been so kind, so
thoughtful of me the past few weeks
that l had no desire to turn to another
for eompany--as l had in the past.
Evelyn was back and came over that
afternoon. What a lot we had to tell
each other. She was as brown as berry
and happy as could be. She expected
soon to become mother, and all Of
Hurts people as well as Kurts himself
were delighted.
fHis mother acts as if she really
cared little for me now," she said
happily.
''But aren I you afraid that children,
a baby, viii take up so much of your
time that Kurts viii grow away from
you2" l asked, recalling the converse.
tion | had overheard on the hotel porch
at Narraganset.
No, why should II l think it will
make him care more about being with
me instead of less.
| said no more but l thought that
Evelyn was young, like myself. 1 had
had such ideas too until the older wo-
men, the women whom George thought
perfect, or nearly so, had said that a
woman was apt to lose her husband if
she became a mother. l never doubted
they were right.
(Monday-The Portrait Is Hung.)
L a. a. - l..