The Winslow mail., 1919-01-03
THE TRUTH
BY JACK LAYTON.


would not marry WidOWer 81 would
be sure that he had loved the GfGG
wife BEST" she said. And If she haG
known, when visiting Aunt Elizabeth,
that the best looking young man ia
her aunt's social club belonged to that
unfortunate though interesting clags,
Celia would at once have discouraged
his attentions. But Aunt Elizabeth
forgot to mention the fact of widow
hood, and when Celia found out, 10 wae
too late to turn back, love had clGaGss
ed her for it's own.
During the first idyllic months after
marriage, Celia settled down In cSDn
tentment; Tom Brantford's affectfOa
was too evident and true to cause GiBa
satisfaction in even doubtful heart.
Cheerfully his second wife took WG
the homemaking task, where it AaG
been interrupted.
City life was very different from GsAS
quiet routine Of her home village, emo
women seemed differently gowned, too.
Celia wondered wistfully If her wFfi29
ruff1ed frock might not be too simple.
or If pink and blue cambric was really
suitable as morning wear for TOE9
Brantford's wife. 1t was Aunt Files
beth who first raised the question.
"My DEAR" she said during one OF
her calls, "why don't you patronage
Lucy's dressmaker? Lucy was always
dressed stunningly, l don't wonder that
Tom was proud to take her about.
One met them everywhere. Toms p0-
sition should warrant more than c0Un-
try muslins and cambrics."
Celia's lovely face flushed, and when
Aunt Elizabeth had gone, she went ana
stood before the small framed photo
graph of the homes former mistress
and intently studied it's gracefully
robed outlines. "Yes, Lucy had been
stunningly gowned, and her hair'-frra-
patiently the new wife touched her
own rebellious wavy locks-'her hagP
was irreproachable in its arrange
ment. What was 1t that Aunt had
said. "Tom was so proud to take heF
about, one met them everywhere"
With a sense of awakening, Celia
looked back over the past blisgful
months, why, Tom had not taken her
anywhere. Every evening they had sae
together In what had seemed sweet
understanding silence.
Lucy and Tom," the connection O3
names brought a new and poignant
pain. Lucy had been an accomplish
ed college graduate, Lucy's acqualnt-
ances, Celia realized in her retrOspec-
tion, had not called upon her. COulG
it be possible that Tom was ashamed
Of his new wife's fnsignifcance?
Whiningly the curly dog crept into
her lap. Celia's eyes filed wiGA gaG-
den tears.
Perhaps he is good to you," sAe
murmured, because - you were
Lucy's."
Impulsively she arose to her feea.
She would go back to the country
home; she would not take second
place In Toms heart. Then she paused
halfway up the stair, new purpose
had come to her. No, she would stay,
stay to triumph, even over Lucy. The
plan was unbearable, but she could mot
leave her husband. He must se mace
proud Of her. Several times that eve
ming Tom Brantford glanced perpleG-
edly over his cigar at his strangely
constrained wife. Each day his per-
plexity grew, as in dignif1ed silence
Celia went about her duties. But ae
length she approached him almost gay
ly. He was busy at the time with a
garden trellis, and as Tom looked FROM
his wife's animated face to her faule"
lessly modish gown, he whistled.
"I hope you like my dress" Celia
said, suddenly distant, 81 have been
making alterations in my wardrobe"
Every NICE" Tom muttered absentES.
1t was difficult to put pride aside, Co
90 more than half way in meeting
Lucys friends. But Celia not only aGD
complished this feat, but managed so
well that her place was often vacant
at the dinner table, while Tom waiGG1
her return from "tea."
But with all Celia's successes, sAe
was not happy. For she was failing
In that greatest triumph, her husbanGD
love.
Into Toms eyes a shadow grew, be-
tween his brows a frown deepene9.
Her most elaborate toilets brought
forth no expression of admiration, ana
among her many social invitatiORGs
there was none from him. Surely be
could not now feel humiliated by heR
comparison to his formsr wife. TAG@
one day he came to her.
IT am going away on business" no
announced, and without further woRG
departed.
After the closing of the front dOe9
Celia went to her room hopelessy she
tossed aside her beautiful gown, ana
slipped into the old simple muslln.
Down to the garden she went there
to throw herself beneath a spreading
tree, while the ruffies of the muslS@
dress were wet with bitter tears.
Cecilia. dearest" unexpectedly Co.
claimed her husbands vibrant voice