Iron County record. [volume] (Cedar City, Utah) 1893-1982, 1920-12-10

"Dear Wife"
arrested sharply In some act of charm
ing stealth, so delIcately poised in
apprehenslyeness she seemed scarcely
to touch the floor. The room was
quiet, dim with shadows, but for her
self untenanted.
A slight sound drew her attention.
She discovered dining room beyond
the living room. Softfooted, Japa-
nese boy in white linen appeared, car
rylng two candelabra of three branches
each, and vanished after placing them
upon the round dining table, where
their rich light fell softly on lustrous
napery. FURNISHED silver an iridescent
bowl OF cut glass filed with burning
roses.
She remarked that there were places
set for two.
Her regard reverted 10 the living
room. She thought Il delightful In ev-
cry detail OF its unpretentious luxury
Riches alone could never have ere
ated II. The wood fire ready laid In
the fieldstone fireplace would present
ly be grateful; already there was n
hint OF chill in the aromatic, rare air
OF the hills.
She moved aimlessly to the middle
of the room and paused again. A long
breath sighed on her lips. As she
turned uneasily toward the veranda
a duplication of the gesture made her
aware of n mirror on the wall oppO-
site. She inspected herself gravely.
She had walked up without n shad-
ow of doubt upon her understanding ;
she recalled without break every
link In the chain of events which had
brought her to this place; she was
acutely conscious OF her anomalous
position In this household. profoundly
disturbed E.
remote dronlng noise crept into
the stiffness of the evening so gradual
ly that she noted II without any as
constituent; hut when, gaining In vol
ume, II became recognizable as the
sustained grow Of motorcar rapidly
climbing the mountain road, she began
10 tremble.
The car swept swiftly across the far
side of the clearing. swung into the
drive that led to the garage, and dis
appeared. The throbblng Of Its motor
was stllled. Impatient footsteps sound
ed on the gravel walk.
Her body was vibrating now like n
reed. Almost the impulse was more
strong than her will 10 ny hack to
her hedchamhcr lock herself In. refuse
to see or speak to him
How could she face him md tell
him the truth? How break his heart?
And not his alone 49,
Running up the steps 10 the veranda
he saw her waiting IN the shadows
and cried out TO her In the name Of
Leonora. She could not reply. Men.
tai rehearsal OF what her attitude AT
this meeting should he proved value
less. She had meant to guard against
his arms with respect, an authority.
which must command respect and win
her time enough TO tell him; she was
captive and powerless before she
could llft a hand or articulate one
syllable of protest. The passion OF
his kisses, the murmurIng of his voice
were overpowerlng. The quickened IN.
mutt OF her pulses was like the storm.
Ing Of a strong surf. She loved
him
Stunned. breathless, quiverIng, hu-
she found that she had some
how contrived to put him from her.
The panied perplexIty In his gaze cut
like a knife. She turned aside, that
She might not see
Forgive me-" he begged. II have
been inconslderate, thOughtless, In the
JOY OF having you restored to mel
Forgive"
"There is nothing to forgive" she
Interrupted. you've done nothing
hat wasn't right and natural. Only -,
N How can make you understandT'
He gave helpless gesture. "Tell
he what you wish me to understand.
Will try. love you so :"
Touched, she sought TO smile kindly
trough her tears. "Give me q mo
ent," she pleaded tremulous hands
lsy with the disarray OF her hair
give me little time, Mario"
The mellow booming of a tubular
ong sounded. Mario turned impa-
entity, Bowling and smiling, the Jap
lese boy stood in the entrance to the
ming room.
Dinner Is served"
BY resOlute effort she succeeded
composing face and manner. Mario
an inqulring attitude, def
'entlal, puzzled, hurt. Somehow she
ustered smile that only mystified
Inn the more