Clearwater Republican. [volume] (Orofino, Idaho) 1912-1922, 1919-08-01
73e
Ger tainty
r.
BY JOSEPHINE PAGE WRIGHT
(Copyright.)

come to her sooner or later
The remarkable thing about il was
that 1t came TO her before ii did to
either of the others.
| The revealing incident happened ut
the breakfast table two weeks after
her college friend, Ann Somers. had
arrived to be her guest for the winter.
Glenn Moderwell was dawdling over
his second cup of coffee, despite the
fact that breakfast had been served
later than ne usually demanded it.
| Il don't want to hurry you away
my dear" ventured Marian, "but If
You do not start soon you'll be late
for your train"
Nonsense" scoffed her husband;
plenty of time"
| And then Ann appeared on the
threshold-Ann, radiant in one of her
astonishing breakfast gowns. Glenn's
suppressed cry of satisfaction did not
escape Marian, and the peril stood
naked to her eyes.
When her husband arose at once and
came to her side to give her cordial
impersonal good-by kiss, she returned
1t gaily and began to banter her young
guest on the conquests of the night be-
fore
"YOu are remarkably beautiful
woman, Ann" she concluded with gen
uine warmth.
The front door closed softly and
Marian fancied her husbands retreat
Ing footsteps were reluctant. She real
lied now that he had lately more than
once missed his train to the city that
he might breakfast with Ann. or. at
least, say good morning to his guest
before he left.
AIMS pleasant voice recalled her
hostess to the present.
Beauty counts a lot. Marian. after
ALL" the girl was conceding. "But 1t
has its disadvantages. 1t attracts the
admiration Of many interesting and de-
sirable men. But sometimes II draws
the other kind, the dull and the impos-
sible."
Even married men," suggested
Marian.
ly, "even married men. Sometimes
their attentions are annoying, some
times they mean nothing"
"They always mean something to the
Wife" pronounced Marian.
There was no bitterness in the
words, no subtle meaning. 1t was the
plain statement of truth. the applica
ton of which the wife was not onl!
willing but anxious to have her friend
was bond of love and unusual un
Outstanding.
you are not afraid gasped Ann
in dismay.
"Just that, my dear. I am afraid.
suppose that every wife is always
afraid until she has the absolute Ger
tainty."
But for six years Glenn hasn't
thought Of another woman" protested
Ann.
For six years." said Marian, "Glenr
has had very few opportunities of see
ing or knowing another woman. HI
has worked hard. He has helped me
with the children. We have had ne
time for our friends or for society,""
ut has been very fortunate" muir
INJURED Ann conventionally.
ut has been very pleasant" cor
rected her hostess. but it hasn'
proven anything except my husband!
dutifulness."
THAT'S a lot" insisted Ann.
cts everything to some women,
admitted Marian, but it doesn't mear
thing to me-"
ut should mean something to thu
mother of his children"
ut doesn't count even on that score.
confessed the mother. Listen. Ann
This struggle for the love and interes
Of man is world-old and doesn't ent
at the altar. not ever. no matter how
fine and clean and honest the maj
may be-"
Marian watched her, young CUES
keenly and noted the serenity of TIT
girl with satisfaction. This friend hat
never failed her vet, would not fai
her now, although she had never testet
the friendship as she now had 1t in he
heart to test It.
She was not surprised. however
when Ann suggested the wisdom o
cutting the visit short.
"On the contrary" denied Marian
you must remain even longer thai
you had planned II necessary. FLO
my sake. you must stay until know.
Ann paled. But II the worse"
Nothing" protested her hostess
nothing can be worse than uncertain
ty."
| They left the breakfast-room ant
strolled arm In arm to the nursery
Come" begged Ann. outline m
wretched task for me. l see you
viewpoint and for your sake. l will d
, as you ask. But 1t Is horrible"
at need not be so. Treat him a
' you would treat any normal man
Glenn" she boosted, "is the most nor
nal man l know"
During the days which followe,
Marian fought many battles with her
self
On the other hand, the growing in
terest of her husband in Ann mad