The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1920-09-11

when people play with fire someone gets
burned?'
"Meanins?'
with you. or l don't know the man.
"Ho Is VIGOROUSLY a natterer."
"Granted. But there Is moro than
hattery In his eyes when he looks at
very near falling in love with you my
sclf-perhaps ! am just a bit, even II
am OF, old codger and have kept 1t to
myself. But you are too young TO run
onto the rocks. my dear. Your whole
life is before you: Don't do anything
"You think that--I care-for Ingram
West?'
Don't your
mot that much" she snapped her
| fingers.
your husband would not believe
that, else have lost the knack OF read
| ing peoples faces His showed plainly
he was distressed at dinner"
For a moment thrill Of delight
| swept over Madge. She had accom-
plished her purpose. had made Walter
think West was in love with her. she
was more than interested in him.
She laughed aloud.
Mr.. Hobbs looked at her. his face Sc
rloua.
Aren't you? How silly 1t would be
for q man OF Walters age and attain
ments to care enought for as young
woman as am to mind what she did.
Now II were as old as-well, his pres
ent companion" she glanced over to
where Walter and Aimee Loree were
earnestly conversing, at might be diff
ferent; there might be cause. But as 1t
10 It 10 NONSENSE
"Then you think because you are
young you do not interest?"
II don't think-I know" She might
have added that she had been told it
often enough In the FIRST years OF her
married life.
you are mistaken. Youth is always
fascinating and when there are added
cleyerness and beauty 1t Is almost ir-
resistible quite so to s0ne."
''Are, you paying me a nice compli-
ment? Do you mean that 1 am clever?
II you do thank you. l always feel so
stupid when older women are about"
"Then you are an adept at hiding
your husband Is hurt. He is fine
fellow, don't let him suffer unneces-
sarily."
After he left her and Madge was
chatting with Kitty and Clark she won
deccd IL by any chance she had hurt
Walter just little. It would prove he
was not entirely callous to her even
though he were In loye with Mrs. Loree.
We're all going fishing and hunting
tomorrow. Those who can't shoot can
fish," Clark declared.
II shall shoot" Madge declared, Just
as Aimee Loree came over and Joined
you bioodthirsty little creature.
she exclaimed with a SILVER. II shall
Ash"
Il don't see anything more blood
thirsty In killing bird than fish,"
Madge retorted. Which shall you do,
Kitty?"
''F1sh. wouldn't dare hold gun, let
alone fire it."
IAN right, then. choose Clark to tag
along with me. know he hasn't any
scruples and he isn't afraid of a gun"
Then we can have Walter with us"
Mrs. Lorec returned.
But he likes to hunt also" Kitty |
replied. giving Madge no chance until |
she had finished. when Madge added:
HE also likes to nsh--in good COM
pany," little malicious smile in her
eyes. Her lips had that unlovey curl. |
CHAPTER Gil.
Madge had a glorious day. all the
more SO that she did not have to keep
up her attitude of being interested in |
Ingram West. Clark Campbell and Mr..
Hobbs devoted themselves to her, while |
West and Kitty. Walter and Aimee |
Lorec fished. Walter had said:
do you care to have me go with |
your" And she had answered:
What would Mrs. Loree do? Clark |
has promised to look after me-see that |
1 don't get lost in the mountains
again."
Walter had said no more, but had
turned from her quickly so that she |
might rot see the disappointed look
on his face when he knew she did not
want him. So he had fished with Mrs.
Loree and Kitty, but his thoughts were
nil with Madge
There was little game-It was too
late--yet Madge had shot several part
ridges and was tired as well as pleased
because OF her good luck. -.
Mrs. Lores shuddered the
How could you kill those dear lit
tie fish?" mimicking the tone and ges-
ture. Every one laughed and Madge
felt she had scored. especially when she
saw Walter look at her In reprovins
way.
That night no one made any pretense
of wanting to dance. They sat around
after dinner, too tired for any exertion.
Madge and Kitty walked on the porch
, while, then wandered on arm IN arm
fhrol gh the grounds. so attractive In
he moonlight
Upon their return they seated them
selves on the porch, quite near an open
window. Caruso, on tho phonograph,
was doing his best to entertain those
inside. Finally they heard Walters
'oice:
al am 80 much older than she. am
almost fifty now. you know. l cannot
Here high prolonged note I
Irowned out the rest of the sentence.
Then: Yes. too young" Evidently
n answer to some question.
Madge laid her finger on her lips SO
hat Kitty would not talk. After a lit
lie Walter resumed:
I do that"
ard one. I wish 1 could help you." {
'I know you do, Aimee. But no one
an help-now. It Is too late"
Quietly, but trembling all over. Madge | {
rev Kitty from the porch out onto the
You heard, He said he couldn't be q
Apply with me. You see how 1t is.
ont al? He Is In love with her-she i
amt help him-now-but don't you get c
he implication? She can later when he Y
rid OF me?' Madge was so excited !
he words fairly tumbled over each !
Their and she grasped Kitty's arm so I
nat she left marks on her soft flesh. e
Don't Madge! Don't get so excited.
ou'll make yourself III. We aren't a
IRE that was what he meant, we
idn't hear all he said. you know" a
.itty tried to comfort.
? make me fool myself. l have known h
" nearly year that he was tised OF a
le; and longer than that that he was IN 4
we with that woman. Oh, welL
ont care! That's one satisfaction" \
or tone was bitter. v
But you do care. Madge. and e
now II. Come, dear don't be so ready a
, believe the worst Tell him what "
ou heard, ask him II he really talked G.
you to her in that manner"
Indeed I shall do no such thing! I a
m not the meek little creature I was a n
lort time ago even. Come on in, l &
ant to dance" II
MadRe dragged Kitty into the hail N
nd laughing rather Historically, said:
az | w.,