The Washington herald., 1920-12-01
The Marriage Mill
By Mildred Ii. Barbour
toopyright, 1920, BY Tho Wheeler
syndicate, Inc.)
CROSSED SWORDS.

1t was not until she was on her
way to Gwen Parker's tea that ALI
son fully realized the extent of Bar
bara Wales high-handedness in
dealing with her and Larry's at
fairs.
why, the first thing I know. I'll
be divorced. and they'll hand me my
decree just like they handed me my
, diploma at finishing sehoolr she
thought Il must have been hypno-
tized to let Barbara and that odious
man talk to me so"
She turned about. -isalf minded to
return home and tell the two plot
tors just what she thought of them.
/ but the sound of the cathedral clock
striking the hour made her stop
short.
She was already an hour late for
the tea at which she had promised
to pour.
Besides, it wouldn't do not to go;
it would look as if she were avoid
ing Diane Evans after the encounter
with her and Larry the night be-
fore.
No. she would go. looking her
prettiest. with the excitement of the
AthNN AitA'A VIC" Ddl-
lor, and the knowledge of the trump
card she held bringing a dangerous
CLINT TO her slant eyes.
II Diane Evans could only guess
the storm that was brewing around
her sleek, dark head. she would not
be so languidly nonchalant. thought
Alison with a little chuckle.
The whole of Maplewood had
gathered in the Parkers' spacious
dTawlnE-Tooms, it seemed to Alison.
when she came in after leSying her
wrap in Ovens dainty bedroom.
That news OF her and Larry's diff
fcrences had spread broadcast was
evident from the sudden lull which
greeted her entrance, and the stares
OF frank curiosity which her advent
Occasioned.
She knew that she had never
looked better or happier in her life
She was conscious that there was
no evidence OF wearing the willow
aboute her. Her gown of bronze
velvet was irreproachable. An airy
creation of bronze lace framed her
piIuant face. Her eyes. under the
stress Of excitement, were as dark
and vclvety as the petals of the
great single violets in the bouquet
pinned to her corssge.
You wretch, / thought you had
deserted"' Gwen Parker greeted her
Eayly. We've had an awful crush.
Diane; here. is about exhausted.
We've had 10 sustain her with a min
from Iony's flask twice already"
Alison took the girls outstretched
hand lightly.
You've looking unusually pretty
for an exhausted person. she
laughed. Give us WEAKNESS il we
look like Miss Evans eh, GWEN.
But Gwen had turned to chat with
a newcomer and Alison and Diane
Evans were temporarily marooned.
'uriously enough, II was Alison
who flushed under the other girls
steady, dark-eyed glance. II was
she who felt guilty. somehow, De-
spite the fragrant situation in which
she had surprised her husband and
this baby vampire the evening be-
fore.
She recovered her self-possession
almost at once however
Larry is out of town, as l dare
say you know" she murmured.
carelessly. One rather misses
him. doesn't one?" sr
do your asked the other girl,
hllNHllllHslN.
Alison shrugged.
"Wen. hardly. He's only my hus-
band. It's rather relief"
she turned to glance over the
room.
The Tony Grants are a cunning
pair. aren't they? Still IN the flush
OF the honeymoon. All. there's
Warren Bradley just coming in.
You know him, don't your"
The malice in her question left
the other girl unruffled.
y was motoring with him this
afternoon"
Alison flushed again. She began
to hate this cool. unsmiling girl.
Then she said something which she
regretted later:
Better be CAREFUL" with a ban
tering smile. "He has a Jealous
wife"
Continued Tomorrow