Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-07-21

r,,rt 80" COMPTON Sensc on Bdrburd's
ETIb.u,, mey begin their married ne.
cara has been brought up 70 be sol
NSh, she docs not think Of m1rr;1ge
os @dfe ohere both persons ,risbes
mmW DC considered. aud because
". a. I ,a.dS arc different from hers
Sne mnkcs no effort to compromisc,
~ mor, she trides uith ne thinos
tn', Keep marriage as u should he an
~ hCth'S interest IN another CONAN
UunkchS her 10 a consciousness Of er-
%uho circumstances.
OUTSIDE It was growing dark. enc
Barbara, suddenly conscious Of the
time rose TO go. Elise noted with In
terest her beauty, and without envy.
barbara was one of the loveilest women
she had ever seen in her life. She had
heen beautiful at school. but now she
was far more developed and far more
interesting. Elise wondered what her
husband was like and what their life
was together, and then suddenly, as
Barbara put out her hand TO say good
by. there came a sound of quick steps
on the stairs. hurried Knock and then
as Elise sang Come in !" a girl appeared
in the doorway. She was out of breath
and painted little as she said:
Hello. Elise" and then. "oh, you
have company, beg your pardon"
It was dusk outside, but II was still
light enough for Barbara to see clearly
and TO stand rooted to the spot for
minute, her breath coming fast. conflict
Ing emotions threatening the breaking
down of her self-control.
par ,,.ho ,noJn ax,t
isn't this Mrs. Grant?" she said. hold
ing out her hand,
And you are Miss Newbery." Barbara
returned, putting out her own hand
without an lnstant's hesitation.
Katherine turned laughingly to Elise,
who stood staring at them. and II was
then that Elise spoke quickly without
thinking.
husband"
In the easy understanding of Ellse's
friends this remark would have meant
nothing. but falling on Barbara's over
wrought nerves It meant great deal.
Barbara was Barbara, however. and she
raised her heade and met katherine's
eyes fully. a half smile In her own. Her
enort made her feel easier. and kather-
inc did not look like an adventures.
You see," Katherine began. Mr..
Grant has done US the honor of coming
to some Of our Thursday night meetings
and we all like him very much. No doubt
he has told YOU about II himself"
ElIse's quick brain was working like
lightning. She was furious with herself
for making such a tactIess remark ana
more and more she was understanding
the situation. Barbara's impulse was to
sfreeze up, to answer haughtily. but she
did nothing of the kind She had to play
the game with everything there was in
her She wanted to rush out of the place:
to get somewhere alone where she could
think. hut instead she smiled her lovely
smile. and said:
What are the Thursday nights? They
sound exciting"
katherine has people drop in and
everything Is discussed, from the ageing
world to the rising prices" Elise
laughed. swapping on the electric light'
Must you really 20. Barbara Rather
inc you'll stay and go to Rosetti's for
dinner. won't your"
Katherine wanted to ask Barbara to
one of the Thursday nights, but she felt
that such a thing would be impossible
that II would not, appeal to Barbara at
all. and that she would probably refuse
anyway After Barbara had said good
hy and had escaped down the stairs to
the waiting car, she dropped into chair
facing Elise.
whatever did you say that for?" she
accused traElCaIly
what" Elise asked easily. getting
out mending basket from the table
drawer and proceeding to mend a rip In
her gloves. "Oh. that remark about
Keith Grant? Well. To tell you the truth
Il Just slipped out But anyway. Kath-
crime, you have talked a great deal about
him. the fact can't he denied. I suppose
YOU thought he was misunderstood at
home, and that he had a frivolous
empty-headed woman for q wife. didn't
Youc Well. can you imagine any one
living with Barbara Grant and not beins
in love with her eevry minute?
Katherine regarded Elise with smol-
dering dark eyes until finally Elise In
biting off thread looked up and met
them
isn't II true?" she asked calmly.
"Of COURSE not :" Katherine returned.
But she was uncomfortaoIv conscious or
the fact that In part II was true. She
had thought that Keith's interest in her
and In her friends was due to the fact
that he missed something at home. and
she had visualized Barbara as beauti-
fully dressed. faultlessly groomed, but
entirely lacking in gray matter. "
wasn't until that day when Barbara had
dropped into the office that Katherine
had realized how splendid KeithS wife
was she might be society girl. but
there was no doubt of the fact that she
had brains in addition to being not
pretty, hut beautiful.
Tomorrow. Barbara begins to wake up)