The Washington times., 1920-07-29
By Jane Mclean.
IKE her husband. Teodora.

II IKE her husband. Teodora. was
l. so far from suspecting any
thing evil that she gazed at
the older woman like one mystlhed;
TO Mercedes her attitude was one
OF pose; she regarded this air of
innocence as a cloak put on to con-
ceal the real state OF her feelings.
Her changed tone reflected her
changed sentiments. Come, come,
Teodora. we are both old enough to
know that the appearance of evil
often passes very successfully for
evil itself-you are daily putting
yourself in a position of ridicule."
Il shall speak to Julian said
Teodora. II cannot understand what
makes you talk to me like this"
Il have already spoken to him
and so has my husband" said Mer-
cedes, sternly. I'VE came here to
try to keep the honor OF Don Julian
as unsullied as he would have it,"
Remember" said the girl, ris-
Ing swiftly, that this is my house
and that you have no rights here.
i shall not listen to such talk and
II l were your age l would be
ashamed of myself"
MY dear girl" Mercedes hastily
attempted to soothe her, "you can
speak quite freely to me. You do
love this young man, do you not?"
Il love my husband" said Teo-
dora. simply. II like Ernesto more
than any man l ever saw, but 1
love Julian"
"Of course. you would have to
say that" the other snapped. well,
go your own way, but remember
have warned you that l wash my
hands OF the results bound to come
OF this Infamous arrangement"
In her own mind, Mercedes had
scored triumph; she had discov-
cred to her own satisfaction that
Teodora really was in love with
the poet, in spite of the others
avowal that she loved only her hus-
band. To wish to believe wrong of
those We dislike is an easy path to
conviction. Mercedes was convinced
and so she reported to Severe.
THE matter has proceeded so far
that something must be done to
separate them" said the man. How
can we do it? What arguments can
we put forward to show Julian he
is daily Tightening a moose about
his neck. If this young man had
the remotest idea of decency he
would depart at once"
"Depart?" shifted his wife. why,
he is enjoying himself here. He is
doing nothing but sit at the feet of
Teodora all day. No wonder every
one marvels at the patience of
nd hn inns iS I'M
can we bring it home to him?"
I'VE must watch these two, and
when we see them together in their
lover-like attitudes we must call
Julian's attention. Constant drop
ping wears a stone, and he cannot
remain forever blind to the infatua-
tion of this young man for his
wife"
In which Severe showed a knowl-
edge of human nature; sure that
evil existed, he wanted to be equally
sure that his brother saw with his
eyes the impending catastrophe.
Julian was possessed of a large
fund of common sense, of a deep
sense of trust, yet even he felt for
the first time a stirring of distrust
in his heart; he was ashamed of it;
he tried to thrust it out, but like a
ghost it rose, clothed in warning
words, and stood before his busy
eyes, threatening and ominous.
The scene at the cafe had also
left it's mark. If all the world
talked, was not there occasion for
it? Could the world imagine wrong
where he, the husband, knew there
was no wrong? 1t did not seem
credible that the simple little jaunts
of Teodora and Ernesto could be
regarded with such venemous inter