The Washington herald., 1920-02-10
Helene S Married Life
lcopyrisht. 1870. Meclure syndlcate
XIV-A Discussion of
Marriage.

Miss Beauciare2 The prefix star
tied me. Thoush-no one in the world
but Jim!-has kriown me by another
title.
I ] turned to Travis Lloyd, Inquiry in
my eyes.
He cleared his throat.
Miss Beauclare. 1 was wonder
ing"
"Yes?"
We were well ahead Of Alice ard
Tony now-completeiey out of ear
shot.
Miss Beauclare. was wonderins
about your views on marriager
| flushed. Was he a mind reader.
this attractive man?
"on-on marriageT" stammered,
taken aback. why do you asky'
1T was in my mind-has >been in
my mind constantly Of late"
Heavens! Was the man going to
propose? ! mustn't let him.
So cut in bluntly:
Marriage must be monotonous,' i
think".
He gave me a queen, half-sad look.
'Monotohous?" he repeated, softly.
Then he added softly:
Marriage is either-heaven-orh hell. -
His words We're So emphatic that
felt a little startled.
And then ! told myself that a man
of his years-living moro or less alone
was bound to be q trifie queer. One
does feel sorry for old bachelors,
somehow. Quite as sorry as one does
for old maids.
l wondered vaguely why he hadn't
married. Selffshness. ! suppose Or
maybe some girl was unkind to
him.
unbent little. II anyone was
qualified to speak on matters matri-
monial, surely | was, And indeed
his phrase: Marriage is either
heaven or hell" struck me as very
true. In my own experience l had
found it both.
IF one marries the right man.
or woman. then the affair is bound
to be successful" ] remarked. feel
ing that ! was talking platitudes,
but uncertain how to proceed.
The man who marries you
said Mr.. Travis Lloyd, moving a
little nearer to me. will be the
luckiest dog on earth"
| All. il he only knew Ny Jim
The subject must be changed at
once. I couldn't bear II any longer.
Besides II was wrong to encourage
Travis Lloyd.
"I-I-such curious thing hap
pened out in the grounds last
night" / stammered. "It gave me
quite a little fright"
The face of my companion un-
derwent a complete and remarkable
change. The glow faded from II.
He turned toward me, rather
/ sharply.
I You surely weren't out in the
grounds last night-aloneT"
"Oh, no." I answered quickly.
I'm only referring to something
saw through the window-of my
| room. Just about midnight l drew
back the curtain and looked out
There in the shadows was a covered
| wagon. And then two men APP
! peared, carrying something wrap
ped in blankets, put ii inside the
wagon and drove away. 1t gave me
quite a creepy feeling"
Travis Lloyd cleared his throat
twNe before he spoke.
You're a nervous, highs strung
girl. very imaginative"
"Oh. no, I'm not" There was al
indignant protest in my voice. TN
not imagining th;s--it was yer!
real-aud rather weird"
! Travis Lloyd gave a queer sort o
smile. Then he said lightly:
Since you're so interested, l re
member now that one OF the sew
wants was removed to a hospita
late last night. An operation fo
appendicitis, or something of tn
sort"
His tone was callous. And yet 1
seemed to veil assomething.
He definitely, changed the sub
ject.
MY head gardener tells me tina
he has some wonderful violet
growing in glass frames. Suppos
you take some to Anstruther Lodge
!