Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1919-02-20
"VIRTUOUS WIVES 81 ' &C. &: SIS 4:

and glanced down at his hands which
lay locked on the balustrade. well,
| I've. readjusted myself; that's over F"
II don't think she realizes this"
she said slowly.
No; probably not. She will. !.
He paused, and then said emphat-
ically: The trouble is, women don't
realize what's important in mar
riage. We are the ones who fight
the battle. We are the same ones who
build. Do anything else. but don't
interfere with that"
As he said this, his voice became
hard and his face set in sternness.
She comprehended in a fash the
lack Of compromise in his charac-
ter, and what he must have suffered
to come where he had come.
What a pity" she said, looking
at him. "And woman could do so
much for your ~.
The right woman, yesP he said
abruptly. you won't think I'm try
ing to pay you only a compliment.
But if | had you for a wife-Good
Lord, how much could dor
1t was not a declaration; it was
more-an appreciation, and it stir
red her and lifted her 10 spiritual
satisfaction as nothing had ever
done before.
The pity is, it's all so much a
question of accident" she said med
itatively.
you turn to the right instead
of the left at one certain moment"
he said, nodding, and your whole
life hangs on it."
II wish could help you," she
said impulsively, looking away from
him.
You have"
I'm afraid you idealize me-"
He shook his head obs;inately.
Not your
Il shan't never forget what you
said. | understand how you said |
it." she continued. II can under
stand-because-well, because you
are not the only one who has had |
to readjust."
He looked at her in amazement. |
your"
Are you blind?" she said gently, |
her eyes far away. The strains of
languid waltz foated ahout them,
and the FREELY glow of the mellow
lights among the swimming Nolors
below awoke dangerous moods.
He frowned, and a picture of Ru-
dolph Dellabarre's watery little eyes
and calculated steps retiring into
the library for the night came to his
eyes.
Good heavens, your he sad
hastily. Il forgot" I
She drew back, wondering herself |
at the impulse which had led her
to match confidence for confidence.
glancing around uneasily. fearing
eavesdroppers.
Il wish / could help you," she
said. "a man like you, a man who
really counts, needs strength"
He looked at her, his eyes delp
into hers.
What a pity" he said abruptly.
ITS all question of accident"
she said again pensively. The right
person comes at the wrong moment,
as you say. I'm sorry Andrew" II
She nodded and left him. Pres
emily he saw her below, stopping
10 greet some one. He liked the
straight, graceful carriage of the
body, and the dignity with which
she offered, her hand. There was a /
quiet, gentleness about her-and
she had a mind. Curious thoughts
came to him as he followed her
through the gay crowd
The ballroom below~him was still
'iotous with the gaiety of succeed
ng dances. The sound of women's
aughter rose in shriler note. Per-
laps if he had been happy his only
emotion would have been of pride;
'ut sorrow had touched him with its
'larifying vision. He remembered
hat other crowd in which he had
tood in the great terminal, the
purposeful sweeping to-
ward the future of mingled America.
low inconsequential all this luxury
vas in the great schemel
Let her dance, if that is all she
Understands" he said grimly, so
ong as it doesn't interfere with what
build."'
Continued Tomorrow.)