The herald. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1905-1953, 1920-10-21
REFORM OF ROXANA
BY LINCOLN RoTHBLUM.

bewitChing tantalizing girls one could
not help loving On each one of her
rosy tingertipS she could reCite in CO.
quettish fashion the name of a de-
voted, withal unhappy, sutton; but too
il must be admitted that Roxana often
found need to exercise her most win
some tricks OF Cajolcry 30 win back
the smiles her teasing tricks had
chased away.
II was Dick. nicknamed the Faith
full" who suffered the most and com
planned the least. He loved ROxana.
But perhaps nothing tried his pa
thence and good temper more than
ROXana's curiosity.
II was 10 her mother that in deS-
peration he appealed. What can |
do:" he asked dejectedly. Last
night she unwrapped box l had with
me when | called"
And" prompted Ro1ana's moth.
er.
"Oh, pshaw," blurted Dick, ut con
tained some underwear had just
bought" Dick fancied he saw ROx-
ana's eyes twinkling merrily at him.
What can | dOI" he repeated.
ROXana's mother glanced up, lips
twitching in smile she could Ill sup
press. I'm tell you, Dick" she finally
answered in an encouraging tone,
you can either give her up-or marry
err"
'I'll marry herr
And marry her he did.
Already on this fine July morning
her honeymoon Of four saCcharine
weeks seemed Ike a beautiful dream
Just that week a roll of films had
been ruined by exposure to the light.
when Roxana Ctuld no longer resist
the temptation to learn II it contained
six or twelve exposures. But Dick
was big enough 10 realize he must not
permit this failing of his wife TO mar
the placid and unruffled tenor of their
existence. and he gradually ceased 10
resent the tampering with his mail.
There was no more the unconscious
act OF ripping open the envelopes a.
ROxana handed him each night his
letters In exchange for 4 kiss.
Red summer had merged into a fall
respondent in a galaxy of yellOwS and
! browns. and Dick trudged home from
/ the depot through the cooler atmOS
| phere so pleasingly refreshing after
the long hot day Just over. The day.
work had been particularly and de
preSsingly enervating and he looked
down the road toward his home a:
he shifted the heavy satchel he car
ried from hand to hand.
Wonder what's In it," ROxana's GU
riosity danced excitedly high as sh'
saw her husband coming up the gar
den path carrying the grip.
Making all sorts of pretty fus'
about him, ROxana finally gave verba
vent TO her thoughts. Dick wha
have you in that gripf"
But his words did not carry effeC
tive weight. This satchel," he said a
he laid the small valse against tn
wall, contains material for a suit"
"Oh, do let me see" interrupted
Ro1ana, I'm SO anxious to look
over. I'll bet it's beautiful"
mo, it isn't, and that's Just why
don't want you to look at IT." ROxan
frowned Its an off-color PROPOSE
ton" Dick continued, land it's just a
well you know nothing about It,"
Indeed! Roxana was quite dis
pleased with her husband and firml
decided that If he was getting mater
al for a suit she ought TO have bee
consulted.
There the satchel lay on the hoc
against the wall, its black leathe
surface seeming to aggravatingly tar
talize her with the secret it concealed
The echo of his footsteps along tn
garden walk had hardly died ava
when Roxana, with no Qualms Of col
science, sat herself on the floor b
side the valise and with hairpin an
scissors commenced operations upo
the lock.
Not a note OF vexation escaped he
as IOOlS VI IenlniuC ihNchc'She'
bent beneath the unusual task allotte
them, and as she applied herself wit
patience worthier of better purpos
Not until the debris of two pairs {
manicure scissors, one pair of tailor
shears and an easy gross Of hairpir
lay broken and bent before her d
results reward her efforts.
At lastl The lock was pried. In
moment she would know all. TT
catch was slipped and the sides Of Il
satchel few open, revealing-a ma
of papers!
Roxana's surprise Of disappointmel
angered her. "Oh, that Dick shou
have told me an untruth," she sobbe
and smarting tears sprang to her eye
Roxana squatted Indian fashion b
fore the bag overfiowing with leg
looking letters and greedily read.
A puzzling expression was succee
ed by one Of deep interest, and as
J young girl with her first romant
novel, Roxana read on, oblivious
J everything save the sheets before h'
i And then understanding dawne,
sWhy-why." she gasped, "Dick d
tan the truth. It II off-color materi
for . suit-evidence for an ugly Ia
: ease." And then came penitent CO
! trifion. -Oh. how unjust have beer
Ard Diek. arriving that night tir
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