The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1918-06-28
THE TRUTH
BY JACK lAWTON.



wife best" she said. And II 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 Brantford's affection
was too evident and true to cause dis
satisfaction in even a doubtful heart.
| Cheerfuly 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 II her white
ruined frock might not be too simple.
or II 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 patronize
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 muslns 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 it's 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 hel
about, one met them everywhere
With sense of awakening. Celia
looked back over the past bllssfu
months, why. Tom had not taken hel
anywhere. Every evening they had sa
together in what had seemed swee
understanding silence.
Lucy and Tom," the connection o
names brought a new and polgnan
pain. Lucy had been an accomplish
ed college graduate. Lucy's acquaint
ances Celia realized in her RETROSPECT
q ton. had not called upon her. Coul
!. It be possible that Tom was ashame
of his new wife's .asignficance?
Il WhIningly the curly dog crept int
her lap. Celias eyes filled with sue
den tears.
perhaps he is good to yo'l," sh
murmured, because - you wer
Lucy's"
Impulsively she arose to her fee
She would go back to the countr
home; she would not take secon
place in Toms heart. Then she pause
Y halfway up the stair. a new purpos
n had come to her. No, she would sta.
stay to triumph, even over Lucy. Th
y, plan was unbearable, but she could nc
r. leave her husband. He must ke mad
,e proud Of her. Several times that ev'
y hing Tom Brantford glanced perple,
n eddy over his cigar at his strangel
70 constrained wife. Each day his pc
y plexity grew, as in dignifled silenc
!. Celia went about her duties. But {
- length she approached him almost ga.
Is ly. He was busy Mt the time with
3 garden trellis and MS Tom looked frol
~ his wife's animated face to her faul
~ lessly modish gown, he whistled.
T. 81 hope you like my dress" Cell
70 'e said suddenly distant. II have bee
:. making alterations In my wardrobe
), every nice" Tom muttered absentl
n It was difficult to put pride aside.
pit go more than half way in meetir
e Lucy's friends. But Celia not only a
40 complished this feat, but managed s
- well that her place was often vacar
4. at the dinner table, while Tom waite
her return from tea"
But with all CeIia's successes, ST
was not happy. For she was falin
IN In that greatest triumph, her husband
"a love.
Into Toms eyes shadow grew b
II tween his brows a frown deepene-
10 Her most elaborate toilets brougl
r. forth no expression of admiration, an
among her many social invitation
:, there was none from him. Surely
= could not now feel Inundated by h,
comparison to his form~T wife. The
III one day he came to her.
ng II am going away on business"
ne ne announced, and without further wol
departed.
' ie After the closing of the front doc
zee Celia went to her room, hopelessly ST
~ tossed aside her beautiful gown. ar
ce slipped into the old simple musl
in Down to the garden she went. thel
:. to throw herself beneath a spreadir
CT tree, while the ruffles of the musli
dress were wet with bitter tears.
Cecilia. dearest" Unexpectedly e,
-. claimed her husbands vibrant vote
II must know the reason OF all this
and she told him.
\. Then close with his cheek again
hers. he made confession.
II thought that Lucy and l woul