Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1918-06-18
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The Woman Who Changed .
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AN OLD MARRIED WOMAN.
By JANE PHELPS
CHAPTER CVU.

had talked bravely to Evelyn, but
all the time l had feeling that she
I was partly right; that Merton Gray
WAS in love with me, as she had said.
But had no intention of admitting this
even to Evelyn. l laughed at her for a
silly girl, and told her she was mis-
taken.
That the bearing of Julia Collins to-
ward George tinged that of my own to-
ward Merton Gray l was aware. was
always more free with him, acted more
pleased to be with him after 1 had been
made unhappy because of their open lik-
ing for each other.
| My uneasiness concerning George IS
relations with Julia Collins grew great.
er as the fall advanced. We were very
gay, and it seemed to me they were
together constantly. There was nothing
really tangible, that is, nothing save my
own fears and jealous imaginati0ns; yet
I 1 felt positive that this woman whom
George had known so intimately before
we were married, and whom her best
friend said had been in love with him
for years, was a menace to my happi-
ness. That L must bend all my efforts
to being like her if were to compete
with her
The Charm of Voice.
Julia Collins had a soft musical voice
George had often spoken of it to me
when became excited and spoke toe
loudly. Now every time l heard that
soft languorous voice purring to him I
fairly shuddered.
not only loved my husband but 1
WANTED to love him. l had read some
where that when love is dead it is more
often dislike or aversion that springs
up in its place than friendship, or even
tolerance. That people who lose love
out of their lives very often lose a
large slice of their character as we'll,
Often when read such things as This
l would be morbid. had tried so hard,
and had accomplished so little. The
kindness of the summer seemed now
SO far away. George was once more the
critical fault-finding mentor. There
seemed scarcely a day when 1 did not
displease him in something. When he
corrected me, he frequently said it was
for my good he did it; but 1 couldn It
feel that it did me any good. l felt L
was growing hard and bitter; that all
the sweetness was being extracted from
my life.
1 was in this mood one night when we
attended large RECEPTION given by Ger
aldine Ross. All the way there George
had talked of my harsh voice. had
answered him rather quickly when he
hurried me as | dressed.
81 suppose you are wishing I had
voice like Mrs Collins,'' I finally said
exasperated.
"I certainly do. 1t is pleasure to
listen to her speak"
ga pleasure you indulge in very Of
ten."
"After hearing your strident tones
no one could blame me-"
"Thank you! / will try not to inflict
them upon you oftener than is neces-
saryl" returned just as we reached
the house. How | had the courage to say
such a thing l DOM know. But the
look he gave me when he assisted me
from the car showed me he would not
easily forget nor forgive my foolish
speech.
Merton Gray SympathizeG.
"You are unhappy tonight" " Merton
Gray said without preamble, as we stood
together. George had devoted himself
almost from the moment we arrived, to
Julia Collins. One could scarcely blame
him, l thought bitterly as looked at
her. She was marvelously beautiful, in
sheer black and rose, and aside from her
beauty there was something compelling
about her. "Heady' heard Bert Ross
say to Madge Loring.
"Not exactly" replied to Merton,
trying to speak naturally, and to smile,
Both efforts were failures.
"Tell me-" he urged, drawing me
away from those who could hear. What
has happened?"
"Nothing-that is, nothing new," al
though l tried to laugh, there was in
tense bitterness in my voice.
"0ld things are sometimes hard to
bear," he said as we sat down in a
deserted corner of the room.
eff | were different, l wouldn It care!
Most women, you know.-of your set
wouldn II"
"You haven't told me what it is
yet"
Nothing-as I told you--save praise
Of another woman. Praise of her voice
and blame for mine. 1t is the little
things we fuss over, isn't it?" l tried
desperately to put little gayety into
my voice.
"Always. And just as always the
things we should not allow to annoy us;
that is we shouldn't nine times out of
ten" Then more seriously: "You of
all women | know should not be hurt be-
cause another's voice is praised. Any
one who sings as you do certainly should
not be hurt over such trifle."
Tomorrow Declaration of Love)
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