Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1919-06-03
73e
Certainty
r
p JOSEPHINE PAGE WRIGHT
Copyright)

Marian Moderwell was q clever VIC
man, and the knowledge would hav
come to her sooner Or later.
The remarkable thing about 1t wa
that 1t came to her before 1t did +
either Of the others.
The revealing incident happened q
the breakfast table two weeks afte
her college friend, Ann Somers, ha'
arrived to be her guest for the winter
Glenn Moderwell was dawdling Owe
his second cup Of coffee, despite tn
fact that breakfast had been ssrve'
later than he usually demanded 1t.
II don't want to hurry you away
my DEAR" ventured Marian, "but 1
you do not start soon you'll be Lat
for your train"
Nonsense" scoffed her husband
plenty Of time"
And then Ann appeared on th'
threshold-Ann, radiant In one Of hel
astonishing breakfast gowns. Glenn
suppressed cry Of satisfaction did no
escape Marian, and the peril stoot
naked to her eyes.
When her husband arose at once ant
came to her side to give her a cordia
fmpersonal good-by kiss, she returned
1t gaily and began to banter her young
guest on the conquests of the night be
fore.
"You are a 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, al
least, say good morning to his guest
before he left.
AIMS pleasant voice recalled hel
hostess to the present.
Beauty counts lot, Marian, after
all" the girl was conceding. "But II
has its disadvantages. 1t attracts the
admiration of many interesting and de.
sirable men. But sometimes 1t draws
the other kind, the dull and the impos'
sibls."
"Even married men," suggested
Marian.
"Why, yes" admitted the other light.
ly, "even married men. Sometimes
their attentions are annoying, some
times they mean nothing"
"Thsy always mean something to the
wife," pronounced Marian.
There was no bitterness In the
words, no subtle meaning. It was the
plain statement Of truth, the applica-
ton Of which the wife was not only
willing but anxious to have her friend
discover. Between these two women
was q bond Of love and unusual un-
derstanding.
"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, "Glenn
has had very few opportunities Of see
Ing or knowing another woman. BE
has worked hard. He has helped me
with the children. We have had no
time for our friends or for society"
1T has been very Fortunate" muir
INJURED Ann conventionally.
1T has been very pleasant" cor
rected her hostess, ''but It hasn't
proven anything except my husbands
dutifulness."
"That's a lot" insisted Ann.
"It's everything to some women"
admitted Marian. 'but 1t doesn't mean
a thing to me-"
"It should mean something to the
mother Of his children"
''It doesn't count even on that score"
confessed the mother. 'Msten, Ann.
This struggle for the love and interest
Of q man is world-old and doesn't end
at the altar, not ever, no matter how
fine and clean and honest the man
may be-"
Marian watched her young guest
keenly and noted the serenity Of the
girl with satisfaction. This friend had
never failed her yet, would not fail
her now, although she had never tested
the friendship as she now had 1t In her
heart to test 1t.
She was not surprised, however,
when Ann suggested the wisdom OF
cutting the visit short.
ION the contrary" denied Marian,
you must remain even longer than
you had planned II necessary. For
my sake, you must stay until I know"
Ann paled. "But II the worse"
'Nothing," protested her hostess,
nothing can be worse than uncertain
ty."
They left the breakfast-room and
strolled arm In arm to the nursery.
"Come." begged Ann, "outline my
wretched task for me. ! see your
viewpoint and, for your sake, will do
as you ask. But 1t is horrible"
ut need not be so. Treat him as
you would treat any normal man.
Glenn" she boasted, us the most nor
NAL man I know"
During the days which followed
Marian fought many battles with her
self.
On the other hand. the growing in
terest Of her husband In Ann made
her feel that she must reach the truth
at any cost.
The beautiful young guest was very
popular socially and had few evenings
to devote exclusively to her hosts.
When she had. she gave freely Of her
talents for their enjoyment, One eve
ming. after she had been playing and
singing for some time. Glenn turned to
his wife.
"Why don't you keep up your music,
Marianr' he demanded.
4 II haven't much to keep" she apollo
sised lightly. II never sang well and I
cannot play as Ann does. I doubt u
my playing or singing would give,
pleasure to any one"
"Our talents are not the same
Ann. You could come nearer
to playing and singing wei than /