Omaha daily bee., 1919-03-06
VIZ
CHAPTER XIV.

1t was almost midnight when For
roster finally found his opportunity
in the thinning crowd,
I've been waiting to see you" he
began in low voice.
"Be careful, she said in warning,
"and don't show so much in your
face; others are looking"
She hesitated, searching a mo-
ment in the crowd with an unease
which she hid behind her fan, before
taking his arm and moving down to
the summerhouse that jutted over
the water. From the first look into
his eyes she had guessed, not what
news he brought her, but that the
inevitable moment had come when
she would have TO set him right, re-
adjust him to her own changed ca
prices. She did not like these inev-
table moments of reckoning, that
always left their little sting. She
would Have avoided explanations al
together, only she was afraid of the
crudity of his nature, afraid of the
social blunders he might Commit
"Well, now for itF she said to
herself, summouing up all her wits.
After all, he was man, and could
be handled like others, without ruff
fling her moral couture. Distressing
scenes were so missing and she
had the felines need of appearing
neat in her own eyes-and in the
worlds.
"At lastp he began precipitately.
"Be careful, Andrew" she said
in warning, voices carry over the
water. It's rather imprudent."
"Imprudent?"
There has a been a good deal of
talk about us"
He broke in, sweeping aside triv-
ialties
well, it's done; we separate and
divorced
"I-I didn't believe she would"
she said slowly This complicated
the situation decidedly.
"She has and-I admit fishes
been very decent. Well. you can UNI
derstand what this means to me"
She felt the demand that was COM
ing, and sought desperately to turn
it. She had long ago realized her
true feelings, as she always did
after a little pardonable self-decep
ton in the first delights of new
adventure She was not insensible
to the electric quality Of his vitality
and stubborn strength. Free, she
might have married him. The trouble
was that she had adopted an atti-
tude toward him that she had found
a constant effort to maintain-the
attitude of the maternal, ministering
woman. Frankly it bored her now.
Curiously enough, when she exam
ined herself dispassionately, she adj
mitted with a laugh that, of the two,
it was Amy who was necessary to
her.
The game had interested her.
Now that she had won, all her SYM
pathy was with Amy-the sympathy
of one woman of the world toward
another. That Amy had taken it so
to heart weighed on her conscience.
She had revenged herself for Amy's
trespassing, and now she felt kindly
disposed Then she missed her; she
was sympathetic, a good companion,
truly intimate friend-and intimate
friends are farer than adorers, and
harder to replace.
you have suffered a great deal"
she said mechanically, still seeking
her attitude. Il am glad-very glad, !
for your sakeP
"The last weeks haYe been hide
Gus. | felt everything | did was a
lie. Well. the thing is cleared up.
I've not said anything to you until
knew ! had the right, Irma. l respect
you too much, 6utfwell--I guess we
both understand Now, ! want you
to end this hell you've been living
in"
How do you mean =" she said
family
Leave your husband and start
new life. The rest is easy. There
isn't court in the world would re-
fuse you divorcel2
"Divorcep she cried, so surprised
that she blurted out the truth. "Oh,
neverl | couldn't do thatp