The silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1909-1925, 1918-07-25
THE TRUTH
BY A c LAYTON.

would not marry a widower. 81 would
he sure that he had loved the hrst
wife best" she said. And If she had
vnown. when visiting Aunt Elizabeth.
hat the best looking young man IN
her aunt's social club belonged to thai
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, It 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 toe evident and true to u dis
satisfaction in even a doubtful heart.
Cheerfully his second wife took up
the homemaking task, where II had
been interrupted.
City life was very different from the
1liet routine of her home village. the
women seemed differently gowned. too
Celia wondered w~istfully If her white
rufied frock might not be too simple.
or if pink and blue cambria was really
suitable as morning year for Tom
P~rantford's wife. 1t was Aunt Eliza
beth who first raised the question.
"Nv dear" she said during one OF
her calls. "why don't you p%atronize
Lucy's dressmaker? Lucy was always
dressed ~stunningly, l don't wonder that
Tom was proud to take her about.
one met them everywhere. Toms po-
sition should warrant more than coun-
try musllns and cambrics."
Celia's lovely face flushed, and when
Aunt Elizabeth had gone, she went and
.rood before the small framed photo
eraph of the homes former mistress
and %intently studied its gracefully
rohed outlines. Eyes. Lucy had been
stunningly gowned. and her hair"-im-
patiently the new wife touched her
W rehellious wavy locks-"her hair
was l~rreproachable In It's arrange
ment. What was II 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 a%cquaint-
ances. Celia realized In her RETROSPECT
ton. had not called upon her. Could
1t be possible that Tom was ashamed
of his new wife's inslgnifcance7
Whiningly the curly dog crept into
ner lap. CelIa's 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 I'm Toms heart. Then she paused
halfway up the stair, a new purpose
had come to her. No, she would stay
stay to triumph. even owe Lucy. The
plan was unbearable. but she could not
leave her husband. He must e 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 a
length she approached him almost gay
~. He was busy at the time with 6
garden trellis, and as Tom looked from
his wife's animated face TO her fault
lessly modiSh gown. he whistled.
81 hope you like my dress" Celia
said, suddenly distant, 81 have been
making alterations In my wardrobe
every nice" Tom muttered absently
II was difficult to put pride aside, 10
go more than half way in meeting
Lucy's friends. But Celia not only &C
compllshed this feat, but managed Sc
well that her place was often vacant
Mt the dinner table. while Tom waited
her return from a tea"
But with all Celia's successes, sh'
was not happy. For she was falling
In that greatest triumph, her husband
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 zone from him. Surely he
could not now feel Inundated by her
comparison to his fOrmN 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 ruffies OF the muslin
dress were wet with bitter tears.
Cecilia. dearest" Unexpectedly ex.
claimed her husbands vibrant voice,
II must know the reason Of all this"