Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1918-05-15
THE TRUTH
BY JACK LAYTON.


Celia had always insisted that she
would not marry a widower. 81 would
be sure that he had loved the first
wife BEST" she said. And if she had
known, when visiting Aunt Elizabeth.
that the best looking young man In
her aunt's social club belonged to that
| 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, 1t was
too late to turn back, love had claim
ed her for it's own.
During the first idyllic months after
marriage, Celia settled down in con-
tentment; Tom Brantfords affection
was too evident and true to cause dis
satisfaction in even doubtful hearc.
Cheerfully his second wife took up
the homemaking task, where 1T had
! been interrupted.
City life was very different from the
quiet routine of her home village, the
women seemed differently gowned, too.
Celia wondered wistfully If her white
ruff1ed frock might not be too simple,
or if pink and blue cambria was really
suitable as morning wear for Tom
Brantford's wife. 1t was Aunt Eliza
beth who first raised the question.
"My dear" she said during one OF
her calls, "why don't you patronlze
Lucy's dressmaker? Lucy was always
dressed stunningly, don't wonder that
Tom was proud to take her about.
One met them everywhere. Toms po-
sition should warrant more than coun-
try muslins and cambrics."
Celia's lovely face flushed, and when
Aunt Elizabeth had gone, she went and
stood before the small framed photo
graph of the homes former mistress
and intently studied its gracefully
robed outlines. eyes, Lucy had been
stunningly gowned, and her hair"-im-
patiently the new wife touched her
own rebellious wavy locks-"her hair
was irreproachable in its arrange
ment. What was 1t 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 new and poignant
pain Lucy had been an accomplish
ed college graduate, Lucy's acquaint-
ances, Celia realized in her retrospect
ton, had not called upon her. Gould
It be possible that Tom was ashamed
ST his new wife's insignifcance?
Whiningly the curly dog crept into
her lap. CeIia'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 in Toms heart. Then she paused
halfway up the stair, a new purpose
had come to her. No, she would stay,
stay to triumph even over Lucy. The
plan was unbearable, but she could not
leave her husband He must he made
proud Of her. Several times that eve
ming Tom Brantford glanced perplex-
eddy over his cigar at his strangely
constrained wife. Each day his per-
plexity grew, as in dignified silence
Celia went about her duties. But at
length she approached him almost gay
ly. He was busy at the time with
garden trellis, and as Tom looked from
his wife's animated face to her fault
lessIy modsh gown, he whistled.
ST hope you like my dress" Celia
said, suddenly distant, 81 have been
making alterations in my wardrobe"
every NICE" Tom muttered absently.
It was difficult to put pride aside, to
go more than half way in meeting
Lucy's friends But Celia not only ac-
complished this feat but managed so
we'll that her place was often vacant
at the dinner table, while Tom waited
her return from "tea."
But with all Celia's successes, she
was not happy. For she was failing
in that greatest triumph, her husbands
love.
Into Toms eyes a shadow grew, be-
tween his brows frown deepened.
Her most elaborate toilets brought
forth no expression of admiration, and
among her many social invitations,
there was none from him. Surely he
could not now feel Inundated by her
comparison TO his form~r wife. Then
one day he came to her.
Il 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 RIFLES of the muSlin