The Taney County republican. (Forsyth, Mo.) 1895-1992, 1920-01-22

As they were being seated she re-
marked:
"Where have sou been the last three
years? I heard you went West. And
you look so pale. You must have been
sick"
lie nodded but did uot vouchsafe a
reply, simply moistening his dry lips
with his tongue,
II heard you were engaged to marry
out there" she ratified on. "Well, got
married soon after you left; and we
lived so happily till"
Tears came TO her eyes and chok.
Ing sob halted her conversation. She
blew her nose and resumed:
"Ain't Il queer, to see people like
Mrs. Iiaines back there fretting and
worrying about that little boy and
thinking she's in misery; while here |
am with something real to worry about.
Oh, Joe, it's awful, that's what II Isl
Who would have thought two years
ugo--Oh, that husband Of mine is
brute! DO you know what he's been
doing? Well, he-he's been going out
with another woman, that's what"
She broke down completely and the
maa placed sympathetic hand on her
shoulder.
"Don't feel so badly" he advised. ut
cart be helped. Men sometimes do
those things. Anyhow, 1t isn't as bad
as If"
She looked up and said almost saw
agely:
"Oh, It ain't7 That's all right for
you to say, Joe Carson--yOu who never
had n care In your life and loaded
down with cash, too, can't tell you
how I'm suffering because of Walters
actions,
you see, Walter never comes home
to lunch; but l phoned his office at
noon yesterday to see about some
things for dinner, and the office girl
told me he went out to eat with some
woman. It made me furious, but !
didn't say word to Walter. Icalled
again just a little while ago and the
glrl told me the same thing. SO |
came out to take walk and decide
whether to get divorce or just leave
him. That woman must be terrible
one Of those vampires"
Another flood of tears broke forth
and Carson looked about uneasily, hes
i!ating to speak lest he say the wrong
thing again.
The languld young woman and the
bare-legged boy who was such trial
were passing. The youngster vas
laughing up at his mother as they trip
ped along, his hand In hers.
Evelyn looked after them and re-
marked sneeringly:
''WeN, Mrs. Haines has got over her
spell and the kids finger aln't bother
ing him now. Amt that the limltT'
She did not observe a mlddle-aged
man and an elderly lady with gray
hair who were sauntering through
the park until they were close to the
bench.
Evelyn" |" exclaimed the man In as
tonishment as he and his companion
halted. "Why, how do you happen to
be herel'
Evelyn leaped to her feet In sur
prise and confusion. However, In an
instant she had regained her cOmpos-
ure and was all smiles,
"Mrs. Wilcox" said the man, "al'
low ME to Introduce my wife. Evelyn,
you remember me speaking about the
buyer for the Clayborn millners-our
hest customers. We'll, this is She"
Evelyn beampd on Mrs. Wilcox.
$50 pleased to meet you,' she said
warmly. "My husband has often
spoken of you. Can't you come up to
the house for dinner tonight7 Oh, by
the way--AIrs. Wilcox and Walter,
dear-meet Mr.. Carson, an old friend
happened to meet while getting some
fresh air and sunshine"
Carson acknowledged the introduc'
tion and presently excused himself
Slowly he walked out Of the park
swinging his cane, and entered the hO'
tel across the street. He noticed In
passing that the two old men again
were smoking in peace.
TROUBLES, troubles" he sOliloqulzed
Everybody has them, and yet event
ually they seem to work out all right
But mine-there's no chance"
He nodded to the clerk, who hand
ed him n telegram. With nervous
fingers Carson tore open the envelope
"Come home, joe" II read. PARKS
confessed to embezzlement. You ar,
cleared. I'm ready for the wedding"
Carson looked out the window a
the hurrying crowds, which he did no
see.
"The worlds just about all right
he murmured. "Dear girl, she stucl
to me through 1t ALL"