Omaha daily bee., 1919-02-01
Copyright
CHAPTER XII.


It was we'll after 2 when the For.
rosters went to their rooms. The
maid, doing in the hall. sprang up
hastily. Amy sent her away after
the mystifying process Of unlocking
had been accomplished and slipping
into a negligee, vibrantly awake
stood at the ivy-clad window look
ing down on the spectacle of the de-
parting cars; the awaking throb Of
the motors, the sweeping, monstrous
eyes searching the night, the will-o'-
the-wisp flights across the country
side.
The echo Of many compliments
was pleasant in her ear, the con-
! seriousness not only of the evenings
success but of all that the future
would bring hung in her imagination
like a disturbing perfume. She
found herself recalling many things
Monte Bracken had said to her and
admitting their justice. She had
seen her worth in the eyes of the
women, feminine mirrors, which told
more than the lip fattery of the men.
But she was still an amateur, as
Bracken had said, and she found
herself thinking of Irma Dellabarre,
Of her poise, her exquisite taste, the
charm of her manner, the ease of her
silences, the naturalness and ele-
ganee of her movements.
IF were a man, should be
crazy about her." she said to herself
Il wonder if he really isn't?"
mot sleeping" said the voice of
her husband.
NO, indeedP
She left the window. Andrew
wandered in, cigar in hand. His
lawn tie was pulled loose. He had
thrown off coat aud vest, preparing
to retire. He was in lowered sus-
penders, rosebuds on a satin back
ground The sight of these suspend
crs affected her disagreeably-the
disillusioning intimacy of marriage.
Didn't you bring a dressing
gown?" she asked irritably.
"No-why%
you'll catch cold after dancing
she said hastily, surprised herself
at this first critical impulse toward
her husband.
Il did very little dancing" he
said shortly. II must take some les
sons to keep up. I didn't know you
were so fond of il"
He started to light the cigar, took
a puff and stopped guilty, quench-
ing it.
Il beg your pardon. I'm absent
minded tonight" He looked at her
with shining eyes. Very proud of
you this evening, Yum Yum"
I'm glad of that" she said,
ashamed of her annoyance.
"The prettiest there" he said,
nodding He stopped before her, his
head on one side, his eyes half
closed. studying the dainty figure.
What is ite Did I do something
wrong?"
mo, no. was just trying to
figure out. Let's see"
He took up a scarf and, freeing
the negligee, draped it about her
shoulders. The decollete thus ex-
posed was in the manner of Mrs.
Challoner.
What a boy you are" she said,
with sparkling eyes.
Turn around. A little lower in
the bach"
When he had contemplated the
delicate slope of her shoulders, the
whiteness of the skin, the slender
and graceful column Of the neck, he
said:
Il knew itl Not one can touch
you'll AS for Mrs. Challoner, we'll
settle herp he added proudly, even
dehantly.
She watched him, amused at this
sudden conversation, perceiving the
working of new ideas behind his
contemplation.
so the cerise gown"
"Mrs. Dellabarre dresses beauti-
fully" he interrupted, smiling guilt
lily. young lady, some new dresses
at onceF lie looked at her again.
Mrs. Challoner, indeedp he said
Indignantly.
Following his gesture she turned
to the mirror. The daring of the
deep decollete he had arranged, the
flaming scarf playing over the soft
slopes of her velvety skin, brought
to her eyes a glow of pleasure. She
stood staring at the prophetic figure
which confronted her.
Don't spoil me, Andrewp she
said, turning abruptly and drawing
her negligee. hastily about her.
He had flung himself down in an
plunged in brown study,
SO absorbed that, forgetful of the
past ofense, he had again lit his
cigar.
what now?" she asked, surpris-
ed at his unusual mood. The satin
suspenders, worked in rosebuds, |
stood before her eyes wherever she
looked. What had possessed him
to get them? Other men, like |
Monte Bracken, would never ap-