Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1920-12-30
HERBERT
BY MILDRED WHITE.
dSdS9Sd e7Se77S9 SS SR9R9SSS,
20. 1870. WESTERN Newspaper uni.

moore before table set for two This
AFTERNOON tea-musical sort of affair
was becoming altogether too frequent
to suit Jacks taste. Herbert, in q
white suit with his mandolin upon his
knee presented q picture of pleas
urable idleness which irritated the
young husband beyond measure. What
had got into Janet7
Tea dear?" she asked sweetly.
Il have not" Jack replied with a
comptemptuous glance at the smiling
MISUNDERSTANDING addicted to that
lady-like afternoon habit"
Mop Janet said, then what brings
you oth to our tea table?"
This was too much for even a pa
tient husband. Jack gared into his
Wlfes unmoved face, and sank-sul!.i-
~ down on the grass
Sing Forgotten Herbert" she re-
quested
The fellow had melting barytone,
Jack secretly admitted, but the nerve
OF him trying it out tete-a-tete with
Janet. And Janet listening with that
wrapt look oil her lovely face-Jack
arose.
Got an errand down town Janey,"
he said, come along and ride with
me- His Wife flushed in emharrass
ment.
Jack forgets his manners some
times" she apologized to her guest.
Its merely thoughtlessness upon his
part. Mr.. Moore" she told her hus-
band severely, came to spend the nf-
ternoon. your errand can wait" Miss
Peggy Wales entering the garden at
this moment saved the situation.
MAY have some tea, Mrs. Laid
law?' she entreated. "Of course didn't
really care about the tea. but / do
want to hear Mr.. Moore's music
Jack drew long breath. Peggy
was In the field now, she had sighted
this Moore Ad0nis, and started out to
battle. When Peggy set herself to win
victory, her lexicon knew no such
word as fail. Herbert would capitu-
late. and freed from his flattery, Janet
would forget its pleasantness and be
her old sweet comfortable self - SO
thought Jack. But his wife arising
hastily at Peggy's unwelcome ap-
prOach, had donned her sweater.
$50 sorry" she murmured coldly.
"Alr. Laidlaw, Mr.. Moore and l were
just leaving for drive"
Jack gasped, his wife had never be
fore been guilty Of fragrant discourte-
sy. But Miss Peggy Wales showed no
resentment, neither did she retreat.
Couldn't YOU" she asked Janet
wistfully, "leave Mr. Moore here with
me?"
Peggy's stare was amused, and open
to challenge. Jack turned away dis
gustedly. His wife, his idealized wife
jealous-of another man.
IF you are so anxious to stay" she
said evenly, II will remain to play
hostess"
Thanks" Peggy cheerfully agreed.
With good natured shrug to any ar
rangement, the favored Herbert bent
over his mandolin.
"Sing that song again pleaseT'
whispered Peggy.
Janet quickly leaned forward.
"Not-'Forgotten'-
There was reproach In her tone. It
the young mans hair.
Don't you like his voice In that
song?" questioned the too innocent
Peggy.
"Then will sing it myself, tune up.
Mr.. Moore. I'll put lots Of thrills b
the sentiment"
Jack stretched himself again oD the
grass. He was beginning to enjoy
things in a bitter reyengefM way.
Peggy jumped up at the end Of her
song.
Come" she invited peremptority,
walk with me across the park, NJ.
Moore, I'm going home"
For an instant Herbert hesitatea,
then his hand touched formally the
reluctant hand Of Janet.
Good afternoon, Mrs. Lsidlaw," he
murInured-"lovelyt time
The face Of Jacks wife was the face
Of one stricken
1.-THE little catl" said Janet.
81 DO not think" her husband
answered lcily, shat ] understand
you"
/. "Of course you don't" Janet
walled, land promised Helen that DO
one should know Of our little con.
spiracy. Now. suppose ! shall have
to tell you. Helen was almost-en-
gagged to Herbert, when she had to 80
to her aunt's In Boston; Helen is crazy
about him, and he seemed quite De-
voted 10 her. The only thing Helen
was afraid OF was that Peggy Wales
would--would airt with Herber, while
she was away. And then-we}l. any
one knows how 1t wonfd end. SO
promised Helen solemnly that ] wonsd
keep Herbert entertained.
Mrs. Laidlaw," Interrupted vi.
brant voice-'I left Herbert nn q
mark bench and hurried back to tel
you that We are engaged. 1t happenet
the proposing mean-a)i in min