Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1918-05-23
A Long Wait.
CHAPTER LXXIV,

George telephoned he would not be
at home to dinner. ate my soli-
tary meal, then went up to my room.
Celeste was out. could be as silly
as liked. So / took down my hair
and arranged and rearranged IL. in
an attempt to find style which
would be more attractive in pic
ture. Then. too, / studied my face
more carefully than ! had ever done
before. 1 would see in what ] was
lacking. George never told me I was
pretty, nowadays, although ne had
frequently done so before we were
married. Perhaps that was because
he made no comparisons then,
thought. And now he was compar-
ing me with the smart women of his
old set--to my disadvantage.
l looked into the mirror. Yes, l
was pretty. As pretty or prettier
than most girls Of my age. / had
large eyes, long lashes, wavy brown
hair and really fine and delicate
skin. l was apt to be u little pale,
but the slightest flush gave me a
lovely color. Peach blow" Merton
Gray had once said. Perhaps George
thought me too young looking. But
that would improve with age. That
grew older | would conform more
nearly to his idea of beauty.
l undressed and slipped into a
comfortable dressing gown Then !
took up a magazine in which ! had
begun to read an interesting serial
and cuddled up on the chaise lounge
to wait for George. | had not real
lied how late It was until, hearing
him come in, l glanced at the clock.
"I thought | had forbidden you
to sit up for, ME" he said in Il harsh
voice.
II didn't know IL was so late; my
story was interesting. l had no in
tention of sitting up for you" l eX-
planned, trying to stave off a scold-
ing.
well, go TO bed at once. And
don't lot me find you up at this hour
again when l am obliged to be out"
Obliged to be OUT" l Thought,
Indignantly, as the clock struck
knew only too well that he had re-
NAMED out because he wished TO.
1t Is Terrible TO Be Ordered.
The next morning before he left
for the office George said: o.,
II shah be at the studio today ]
want you to remember that expect
TO see that you sit properly" then
after a moment And | want you to
understand once for all, Helen, that
| will not be annoyed by finding you
sitting up when | come in. | am my
own master, have perfect right
to remain out or come in. Next time
| am detained, / want to find you in
bed and asleep when / come in. I'm
derstand me, ! Will be obeyed in
this"
After he left / ran to my room
and fairly threw myself across the
unmade bed. The windows were
open and the cool morning air fan
ned my hot checks. II was dreadful
to be ordered, as I wasl / would not
endure il, / declared over and over,
knowing all the time that 1 would
that nothing | could do would alter
Georges disposition or make me
brave enough to stand up against
him Yet, as always, after such
feeling OF abasement there came that
determination to show biin' Some
time, that / was his equal in polse
in everything that he seemed 70
think worth while; and that he couIu
not order me, nor belittle me in any
way. Twas no longer a child, 10 pc
told when I should go to bcd. l
would not remain up quite so lato,
again. Then ! remembered that j 4
did not do as he bade me he WouIo
find means TO compel me. on, yes
l would go to bed when he was out
and I would pretend to be asleep,
Anything, even deceit, to make MN
care for me.
yet, even as I decided TO do as ne
had ordered l wondered II 1 we're
not helping to destroy my chance tor
happiness II he shouldn't care tor
meIn the end. after I had made my
self over to please him would l not
have destroyed alEnersonallty l now
possessed and become that unin-
teresung creature--a woman who