The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1921-07-20
The "Wife" Back
Home
BY DOROTHY DOUGLAS
10 by NcClure Newspaper syndicate.l

81 Hall. Rose came joyously; her
mother acquiescently; her father re-
luetantly, with many protestations.
Papa Hall stayed just long enough to
eet his family enscOnced In an exclu-
1--WE hotel and then hustled back, to
zee to 1t that nobody made hay Of his
BUSINESS In the sunshine of his alb
oence; for 1t was his boast that he
owed his success to strict personal
attention to details.
Mr.. Hall left an imposing bank bal
ance subject to his daughters sigma
ture, and for two weeks Rose was
sublimely happy. She was bewitch-
I'M little blonde. With softly waving
hair, to which a fashionable hair
dresser did wondrous things, and a
petite figure that delighted the exciu-
sive mOdistes. Innumerable OblOngs of
pink paper bearing the imprint Of
BIZ metropolitan bank passed into will
Ing hands and in exchange Rose re-
ceived masses of chiffons AMI laces
eatins and velvets. brOcades and furs,
which the fairy wand Of commerce
simmons for my lady's adornment
from the ends of the earth.
For a year previous to the realiza-
ton of her dream of spending winter
ID New York, Rose had studied religi-
ously the Sunday editions Of the great
citys newspapers. The result was two
sheets Of letter paper covered with
notes of places and things she intended
to see. Theaters, famous and obscure;
restaurants, fashionable and merely
queer; museums, art exhibits. foreign
quarters, odd back waters that casual
visitors usually missed; everything
even down to the menageries in the
parks-Rose had vowed to see it all.
And now she was ready to begin. But
how was she to 60 unaccompanied?
In Mrs. c. Slater Hall, Rose could
ilnd no solution Of her problem. Mrs.
Hall possessed two enormous interests,
and two only. Her aches and pains
:, and the movies. In her home town it
kept her humping" as Rose ex-
4, pressed it, to keep up with the changes
II the programmes Of three movie thea
NJ tiers. In New York even unlimited
w leisure and endless taXis could not
bring success to her desperate efforts
to see all the "releases." Rose tried
the companionship of Marie, her maid.
Marie was blase, unapprecative-
no fun at all. Besides she uttered
yelled threats of leaving. Rose turned
In her extremity to a certain friendly
middle-aged clerk of the hotel, who
knew all things.
'sIf you don't mind the cost" sug-
rested he, "you might engage some de
cent, presentable young man who
knows his New York as sort of per
manent escort. Oh, it's quite offer
DONE" The clerk even knew of such
person, until recently a guest of the
hotel himself, but bit out of luck ant
having some difficulty finding job
The clerk would make point of get
ting in touch with him if Rose wished
The idea was utterly novel to Rose
but so was New York. She told the
clerk. to bring on his courier or escor
or whatever he might be. And thu
very next day he did. The young man
who gave his name as Jerald Holmes
seemed all he was represented to be
20 Rose engaged him. Then it was {
case Of breaking the news to he
mother. Mrs. Hall bestirred hersel
to be little shocked at this caprice o
her daughters, but in the end Rose ha(
her own way, as always.
Herald Holmes proved to be a de
BEAUTIFULLY sympathetic companion. A
the days went by Roses enjoyment o
the things she had looked forward t.
was complete; for wasn't she seeing
them properly dressed and properl,
escorted2
Also she was glad-very glad. Ros
succeeded in convincing herself-tha
Mr.. Holmes was married. In thei
Arst interview he had mentioned
wife back home" for whom he in
tended to send when he was settle'
peGnanently. Meanwhile. he ASSURE
Rec. acting as her escort was al
exceedingly pleasant way Of bridging
over what would have been for him
wy awkward period.
- their conversation ever verge'
ent the personal, It was the man VIII
always steered 1t away; so it was witt
neyer hint to build on that Ros
ceVcocted picture Of Mrs. Jeral
HAmes. Because her escort bad tn
look Of an outdoors man, she place.
} NJ wife as the tailor-made type. Sh
. peobably cOmbed her hair SMOOTH
! Eek and affected those mighty goo
tookng sport suits and sailor hats tina
oe1e saw in the shops. Unconsciousl
nOse imagined Mrs. Holmes a direc
! coptrast to herself.
} Yes, Rose assured herself. 1t was ia
tier that her escort should be
married incorporated his wife di'
not object, and she had Mr.. Holmes
word for that. For otherwise he Nigh
ottempt to make love to her in tn
u my opportunities thrown in his way
q I'd then. of course, she would b
u o61iged to snub him. Or he might b