The Washington herald., 1920-04-02
LH-rHE TURNING POINT.

We drove along the country roads
In silence. Ny heart was too fun
for words.
Then suddenly I noticed that Mr..
Anstruther was regarding me with
q close scrutiny. There was visit
full troubled look upon his kindly
face
Helene, are you intimate with
that Tony Lascelles chap? what
what sort of a fellow il he? I'd
rather like your opinion"
The suddenness of the questions
starteld me. They caught me una
wares.
~rony LascelIes? oh. I can't stand
him" cried, for once quite on my
xuard. He's so unscrupulous-so
desizninR-so-"I broke Off, regret
ting my impulsive speech.
Rut Alice's husband was nodding
griYnly, as though he perfectly
arreed with my remarks on Tony.
I always thought him rather more
than a fool" His voice was stern.
s,But Alice seemed TO like him. And
Of course the chaps well-mannered'
ana Is received more or less every
where. That isn't saying much. But
it's all that most people ask. these
DAYS" He cleared his throat. Tn
glad Of your opinion, Helene. Be
cause you're a normal, well-balanc-
ed girl, and you've lots of common
sense. Il wish you could give
some of the latter to Alice-for she
needs it rather badly.
was astounded at his words.
Naver before had Mr.. Anstruther
made the slightest criticism OF his
adored young wife. Things must
have been going badly, indeed.
s1-we-Alice and I've want
Won to stay on down here, for as
long as possible" he went on. It's
such a comfort, having you ABOUT
the place"
make up a third-to play the role
Of goossberry.
or was to act as a sort OF chap
srone and watchdog Tor mistress
Alice7
.As long as the invalid is in the
house. we hope that you VIII stay
He spoke again.
Tbs invalid. So that was It! I
was a useful adjunct
When we reached Anstruther
Lodge, I saw no sign OF Alice.
went upstairs TO my room.
Rut / took the route that led me
mast Jfnfs bedroom And as 1 pass
ed the door, started-for voice
called out:
-Helene-
stood for a moment rooted to
the spot, and listening with quick
ly beating heart. Had Jim been
calling me?
No second sound came from his
room. however.
could not tear myself away.
me door stood half ajar. / longed
to peep inside-and yet was
afraid.
Then heard footsteps coming
down the corridor. 1 pulled my
self together, and moved on.
Helene dear, is tina you?" Alice
came gliding towards me. vision
In nauve chiffon draperies. "Oh,
I'm 50 glad to see you back again!
Her words were almost Identical
with those her husband had uttered
scarcely half an hour ago. on meet
ing me at the railway station.
repressed a smile.
She caught me by the arm. Her
pretty babyish face seemed TO have
new lines In 1t, and in her blue
eyes there lay a rather shrewish
look
.Helene. take my advice and never
marry. The game isn't really worth
the candle. I'm sick Of being nag
ged at all day long. And tired of
never having any fun. For two
pins, I'd throw the whole thing up,
and go off to Timbuctoo. where /
should never see a man again
nasty, annoying, hateful creatures!"
Again 1 had to Keep a smile back.
Alice in Timbuctoo-fiirtatio Alice
literally lived on admiration Why,
even on a desert island Alice would
find something to flirt with-or
would perish from sheer ennuii
She led me to my room, where a
cheerful little fire was burning. Evil
IDENTIFY, 1 was now persona grata"
in the house. \ comfortable arm
chair was drawn up to the blaze,
and an immense footstool. My blue
silk kimono was laid out, too, close
at hand.
Take off your suit and hat and
rest, Helene. You look tagged"
Alice fused about me. Bad child.
running of to town like that, and
frightening the patients mother!
She arrived down here at four
o'clock-said you had called to tell
neI Oh neE son Sne
crazy about you, Helene. Says you're
the loveliest thing she's ever seem
and the most unselfish! Quite fiat
tering to me, isn't it," Here Alice
laughed good-naturedly.
wondered over the reason OF this
sudden friendliness. Alice generally
has an excellent reason for her ac-
tons. Some crisis was at hand, no
doubt-and my fair hostess wished
to enlist me on her side.
Her diatribe at marriage was n
clue. Her husband had at last
turned" and Alice felt a lit
tie nervous of the situation. AS
Aice's friend. knew a good deal
about the doings of the lady. To
get on the right side of me" before
the storm was probably Alice's idea.
did you get the cakes and pas
tries and the chocolate" she now
inquired.
nodded.
your husband brought them out
Of the car. I expect he gave them
to maid" said. holding my hands
eut to tho cheerful blaze. for the
trfye had been a trifie chilly.
Alice made a peevish little face.
Don't talk to me about my hus-
band! He's been lecturing me all
day. I'm sick and tired of it. 1t
seems I'm not the ideal woman he