The Washington herald., 1920-09-07
Facts Fiction Fashions and Features OF Interest to Wonen
The Marriage Mill
By Mildred h. Barbour
(Copyright. 1870. BY The Wheeler
Syndicate, Inc.l
PATHETIC DEFIANCE.

Alison went dutifully to call upon
her in-laws the next morning.
Neither Myra nor her champion.
Fannie, were at home. but Frieda
informed her that Mrs. Osborne
and Miss Jane would be down di-
rectIy.
Alison chose to wait on tn.
veranda It was a clear blue morn
ing with a crispness in the air sug-
Eestive Of coming autumn. The sig
nificanCe OF the Italian blueness OF
the sky and the touch Of haze on
the far horizon was emphasized in
the garden. where flowers bloomed
furiously in the last voluptuous mo-
ment before they faded.
Alison felt a queer jarring dis
sonant note. She seemed somehow
out Of harmony with the season. An
odd sort OF superstition had taken
possession Of her. Though she was
happy at the prospect Of having her
own home and no longer being a
part OF the Osborne mcnage. she
felt a curious reluctance at making
the change in the autumn. Spring
IS the time for building nests; not
the fall when death and decay are
lowering near.
=
the avenue caught her eye. She
looked again and waved greeting.
1t was Gwen Parker.
As the girl paused. Alison left the
veranda and ran down to the street
Where have you been keeping
yourself since Myra's wedding de-
manded Gwen. My word, you're .
reCIuse these days, You and Larry
must be crazy about each other
though come to think of il. l did
catch glimpse Of him at the club
one night"
"Tve been away with mother and
Cousin Barbara. ] meant to look
you up yesterday but ] was busy
leasing an apartment at the new
place on NaplewOod avenue Ali
son announced proudly.
Gwen whistled
Going to be married in earnest.
eho Housekeeping and all that sort
or thing"
Alison nodded
ITS tho only way to live"
Yes. I dare say ir is" replied
Gwen Parker. with barely pcrccpt-
ibIe sigh
Something in her tone caused Ali
son 20 -Iaura at her sharply. The
inE color was gone. and there was
a new bitter curve to her laughing
mouth II was noticeable chang
for less than a week.
What have you been doIns,
Gwen
Nothing shrugged tho other
girl. looking away down tn" street.
Then Shr turned her gaze hack to
AI00n and added with a sort Of
bravaGo. Yes. I have been doing
something too: I've been CIvIn=
Naplewoud the shock Of its life. I've
been lUn0HinC- motoring. tearing.
GfDtn-. and dancing with Warren
Bradley every day since Nyra's we'd
ding. I am the talk Of the town.
and 7 don't care a-fE''
GIVEN" EaSpcd Alison. "Do you
think that's wise
The other girl smiled crook kedlv.
Wise Its tn" maddr>t thing
a =irI could do. but I've ceased 10
care. What's the use anyway" 7
played the game sQuarcly before
and lost. now l have a right to
snatch bit OF happiness. haven't
l. Warren doesn't care FOR me. rcar-
" 7 know that now. But I love
him and I'll always love HIM. And
ting ready To divorce him"
Does it really make you happy
To he with him even if you suspect
that he doesn't care for YOU"
Gwen was silent a moment.
TT makes me- wretChed." she ad-
mittrd finally. but at that. ] am
less hEdeoUsIy miserable than when
] am not with him. Oh. Alison"
she burst out fercrIy. how Won
dcrfuIly. heavenly happy YOU must
hc to have the right openly 70 love
the man who loves you"
DID it make one wonderfully hap
~ To Low" someone who loved you?
Or did it-after the way Of this
ir0nicaI yvurId-roh the situation Of
much of its piqUant interest and
charm?
CTo Re Continued Tomorrow