Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-10-25
THE DAILY NOVELETTE,
As Husbands Go
ne ELEANOR T., SPERRY


eloves on the bed, her hat OH the dresser
and herself into the chintz depths OF a
big wing chair. For a moment she stared
unseeingly out of the window. then
buried her face in her hands and wept
unrestrainedly.
Il was unbelicvable! It was Disgrace
full a.! But II was true. Her husband. Roger
Evans, was undoubtedly being attracted
IN spite of himself. to that little French
Rose Marie. who, after all, wasn't French
since both Of her parents were English.
But the question OF the girls, nationality
was neither here nor there.
What was Of Importance was the fact
that, returning from France after he
armistice for prolonged visit with her
aunt IN America. Rose Marie had set by
the ears every eligible youth in Benning-
ton and had caused hitherto .mpeccably
loyal husbands to remark tactlossly to
their wives, There, now. is girl for
you
But why, oh why. had Rose Marie
seemed to settle on Roger? For, even
against her will, that strange fact was
asserting itself in Betty's mind Rose
Marie quite shamelessly, at parties, in
the streets cars, at the theatre, dellber-
ately ogled-yes. that exactly described
it-her husband. And how long would
any man be proof against Rose Marie's
startling beauty, her little Partisan
shrugs, her flirtatious ways? Roger
would deceive himself into thinking he
felt just fatherly affection for her-thon
brotherly-- then, well cousinly - until.
oh. how would IL end?
And then because Betty was really a
most commonsensible sort OF little per-
son, she gave a few final shifts. made
couple of dabs at her eyes, looked dis
Eustedly at herself in the glass. and then
flew to her cold cream and powder and
what-not to repair damages.
Her beauty almost restored, she settled
down again to think-not hysterically
this time but with every bit of brain she
had. There must be some way out. But
worn methods of untangling husbands
which she was not minded to use. To be-
gin with there was no use In making
herself 81 attractive that her husband
would realize how infinitely she sur
passed sNerg StbertYpman. She was al
bic to be and still retain the affection
and respect Of other women and she was
invariably as we'll dressed as her .hus-
band could afford and her natural In.
stinct for good clothes permitted
Secondly, tying-the-canary-a around.the-
neck-of.the-cat, the propinquity method
that favorite system in fiction--no. she
didn't dare try 1t. 1t might work the very
opposite OF the way che had intended!
For Betty did not underestimate the at
fractions OF Rose Marie. She was not in
the least vampish and she was ms sweet
within as she was lovely without
Thirdly, suddenly, Betty sat up very
straight She had It, by George. she had
Il! She couldn't find one; thing about
Rose Marie TO criticize, but when It came
TO Roger-well, now, she knew how to
90 to work.
And, with an efficiency which had
made her the excellent wife for rising
young business man that she was, Betty
carefully worded little note to a young
cousin. Bruce Sanford, ten years
younger than Roger. half again as good
looking. and popularity reported to be en-
gagged to several girls at one time.
No grass grew under Betty's feet
went straight out to meet the enemy. IL
one could call by no harsh a name the
wisp of girlhood sauntering by, rose.
tinted beneath her parasol, the following
Saturday afternoon.
DO come in" pleaded Betty from the
gate. Wed love to see you--why. here's
Roger. now! Betty's tone was as caro-
iuly surprised as II she had not known
It was time for Rogers third trip with
ashes ashes which he was emptying in to till
tne base or the garden. Some men look
picturesque IN old khaki trousers. shirts
with their collars turned in. n streak or
soot bisecting one cheek-and some men
cont, Roger was one Of the latter. But
Betty hummed little tune as she left
'hem conyersing by the gate.
Some days later Sandy arrived and
betty, ostensibly and quite naturally get
wing up little dinner for him, carefully
Planhed each move, and tho first move
concerned itself with Rogers collar Two
.nlngs make an awful difference in the
way some men look-how much money
Iney nave In their pocket, and the height
OF their collar.
Roger said Betty plaintively. as she
sWathed her slender form in a rose flame
chlron velvet, TITS so terribly hot this
SSVenlng-do wear one of your low col
Would you, dear?' Her husband
picked up one and eyed It wistfully "Of
course, II you think it's all right, but II
You knoww
And Betty noted with a strange and
secret satisfaction that 1t did.
., slipping down on the couch at the side
OF tose Marie. Betty was very quiet for
t1egan, whenever l look at Sandy and
.hen at my husband (Roger at that mo.
n.ent was craning his neck, low collar
an "nu all, In an effort to tell his audience
On very high note that he heard some-
Sne calling him) It makes me feel bad
hair!" 0 10 oes sA''''s W ''s' "''
=, Mr., Evans Is very dear" said Rose
harie with her French idiom.
On yes said Betty casually. "Of
% ooSrse he has his faults-.poor old Roger
put as husbands go"
sither glance Rose Marie was sending
sehdy. Thank heaven, that's over!'' she
sald to herself as Roger, mopping his
SSfow, finished Just off key But she
a'dh't mean the song,
..xy. Next complete novelette,