Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1918-05-25
CHAPTER LXXXYIL


We had the drawing room and Mrs
Collins was in the parlOr ear. George
spent most of his time either with her
or talking with some gentlemen he
knew. eurled up in the corner of the
seat and gave way to gloomy thoughts
for time. Then George came i'll with
an armful of magazines and resQlute-
| ly opened one and read.
/ After our luncheon, which Mrs. Col
Inns shared, she brought her book and
came in with me. was terribly annoy
ed but pretended to be Indifferent.
"You1 excuse me, if l go right on
readingl" | said coldly.
"Of eoursel l have an interesting
story to read also."
! Tor over two hours we sat without
speaking. Then George came in and,
for the remainder of the journey, ne
and Mrs. Collins kept up a running
fire of small talk.
We were to stay at the same hotel,
so naturally George took charge of her
luggage.
"It's easy for widows to travel, if
they have some other woman's husband
to look after them," l thought bit
terly, as | stood waiting while he hunt
ed up piece of her luggage which she
insisted must go to the hotel with her.
More Unpleasantness.
"Make yourself as attractive as you
can, George said as ae left me. 1T
won't take me long to dress. l II be back
in a minute"
We was gone some time. was all
dressed when he came in. The moment
| saw his face, 1 knew he was displeas
cd.
Is that what you call making your
self attractive" he asked, paying no
attention to the maid.
Why-am | not all rightg' | had
selected q dress of soft, white material,
a little low in the neck. 1t was dress
could have worn for a home dinner
Have you so few clothes that you
must select that quakerish thing to ap-
pear ;rY" My eyes filled at his tone,
and / turned away that he might not
see the tears.
ON change, if you will tell me what
you would like me to wear"
"There's no time to changel" Che
had been dressing as he talked). "Mrs
Collins will be waiting"
Mrs. Collinsl Was she to eat with us,
tool
! glanced into the mirror. Really I
Inf ~ I hnl hn.
tears, dabbed my face with powder,
again, Ind waited. But when saw Mrs.
Collins and the other women, realized
hrw hike a child must look Such elab-
orate costumes, never had seen. They
were like the wonderful dancing frocks
in my trunks. Too elaborate for a din
ner, thought.
''You are not dancing, tonight"
Mrs. Collins asked, in oily tones, as
we joined her.
Dance-is there dance?"
"0f course You never have been to
the casino, George tells me; you will
be charmed. l adore it.
Why had not George told mel Indig
nation flushed my cheeks, as l follow
ed meekly behind them into the dining
room. Could he have purposely allowed
ME to remain in ignorance2 He was so
proud, so inpatient with me if ! were
not suitably dressed for each and every
occasion, that l could not understand
has not telling me about the dancing.
Helen Blames Mrs. Collins.
In some way l was sure Mrs. Collins
was to blame In just what way, could
MT figure out But in my own mind
l was satisfied that it was so. would
not allow her to 'crow over me" to
use an old expression of David's.
81 shall, too, am sure. You see I
have been at home, always, All these
things that are so familiar to you old
er women, are new to me. l, too, adore
dancing, and if, when you are having
your dessert George Il turned to him
81 may be excused, l will be ready
by the time you have finished. forgot
that you said we were to dance to-
night. !"
The expression on Georges face was
SO comieal, almost laughed. He knew
as well as l did, that he had said
nothing about dancing and that had
simply said what l had, for a reason.
He returned gravely;
Certainly, Helen. But don't keep
us waiting" ,"
"Why do you change, Mrs. Howard
You look very much like a debutante. "
tBut l am not a debutante. l am
married woman" l answered, smiling, /
but furious. She had called George by
his first name; l, of course was "Mrs.
| caught look of anger, as it swept
over her face, gone in moment. |
had baffled her plan to have me make
my first appearance at the casino in inn
proper costume. 1t gave me the added
courage | needed. SO that, when the
waiter took our salad plates, l did not
wait for George to order anything more
but rose and, again exeusing myself, |
left them.
(Monday-- Dressed for the Dance)
EIETY- THREE hMCRJrANC