The Washington herald., 1920-11-22
TheMarriage Mill
BY Mildred X. Barbour
Copyright. 1870. by ne wheeler
syndicats. Ine.D
A NEW COMPLICATION.

Al Kate Gibson's sugFestiop that
she return to the home she had left
forever and await LArry's coming.
Alison sprsng TO her feet with
nsshing eyes.
Never" she vowed with a STAMP
Of her slim foot Never! III die
hrst1'
Mrs. Gibson turned back TO the
fre with a little shrug and a hope
less little gesture of her white
hands
Very well. thenI That is nm
ished- We viii talk OF something
else"
Alison stared at her hostess with
mutinous eyes and she did not seat
herself again.
why did you tell me to 20 home
and wait for Larry:" she ques-
toned
I'VE won't discuss it. You re-
fused my sdvice-very good. II is
your prerogative."
Alison stamped her foot again
petulsntly.t
Don't treat me like a chfId."
Then don't act like one" was the
quiet rejoinder from the woman by
the fire.
Alison picked up her hat and
thrust il recklessly over her we'll
coifed hair. She got into her fur
wrap and picked up her gloves.
Il think I'd better leave. I can't
go home to mother because all those
devils are over there tearing me to
pieces. l can't 60 to Gwen because
OF Diane Evans. And I can't stay
here"
Her voice Quavered.
There d-doesn't seem 20 b-be any
p-place left for me"
Laying her head down on the
back OF the chair, she broke into
! unrestrained sobs-
Alison"
Kate Gibson's quiet voice broke
in upon her stormy tears
Are you a spoiled child. or have
you elements Of a woman In your
Only sobs answered her.
"Are you going through life pam
pered and retted and have your own
way in every situation, regardless
of others?"
Alison straiehtened up. dabbInE
at hen eyes with her small kerchief-
"oh, 20 ony she cried hysteri-
cally. Say everything unkind you
cant I'm down and a fair target.
! thought you were my friend. but
you're just like all the rest: you
take Larry's side and u doesn't
matter 20 you what becomes Of me.
Well, think OF all the besstly things
you want about me-but you're nog
going to say them"
She rushed out OF the room. siam-
ming the door behind her. without
a word Of farewell to the woman
who sat quietly by the ere and ala
not even stir when the street door
banged and flying feet went down
the garden path.
when she was again on Maple
wood Avenue, Alison paused trres-
olutely. As she had so traEicsiiy
told Kate Gibson. there was liter
ally no place for her TO 80.
But the chill OF the night wind
penetrated her furs and she started
TO walk, unconsciously taking the
direction Of the railway station
She made no effort to pull her
thoughts out OF the mental chaos IN
which they were engulfed- There
seemed no way out of the hopeless
tangle, and she was too weary Of 81
all TO care anyway.
Let the council OF war now being
held at her mothers solve the prob
lem and scqusint her with the oe-
cision: they would take the matter
on her hands anyway. she thought.
A train from town was pulling m
as she neared the station Home
comers. late for dinner. scurried
down the platform and were quick
ly swallowed up In the shadows.
A tail man came swinging down
the avenue toward Alison. As he
neared her. he made q gesture OF
greeting and increased his pace.
We'll, girl, coming to moet your
old Dadg"