South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1921-03-13
Revelations of a Wife
Ny Heart and My Husband
BY ADELE GARRISON

You mean it's his way Of getting .
anybody 20 drive with him IN that .
open car" Alfred Durkee chimed In f
.'I tried q once. and br-r'-he shiv-
cred exaggeratedly--"I went TO bed
with chills for a week.
We all laughed. for Alfred is ire +
sistible when he talks nonsense, and f
N drew a quick breath OF relief. The
danger OF a scene mad been passed. .
But that Dicky was furiously angry
beneath his laughter ] knew, and
dreaded our hrst moment alone to-
gether.
That 81 was a moment. however.
which could be postponed for sew
eral days 1 was sure. For the first
time ] felt thankful that even Rita
Brown. much as / disliked her, was
70 share the drawing room my father
had provided for me. she at least
would insure me against any un-
pleasant interview with Dicky on the
Journey. and once arrived at Cedar
Crest I knew that Leiias wedding
would eaten US up in a whlrl Of
gayety and keep us 1ully occupied
for days.
couldn't resist a furtive glance AT
both Dicky and Maj. Grantland. and
l. almost laughed Historically At the
I elaborate manner in which they
were avoiding even a casual glance
at each other That the little Incl
dent had intensified the antipathy
between the two men ] well knew,
Though 1 guessed that Maj. Grant
lland was as relieved as I that Rita
I Browns banter had resulted in
laughter instead OF an angry scene.
! Rita herself was watching Maj.
lGrantland furtively, a speculative
look in her eyes. I knew from
lcereiess reference of Leila's that she
had met the young officer only once
Tor twice before, but I was sure that
lher mercenary mind was fully aware
lof every worldly advantage that ne
Possessed. Furthermore, /. guessed
THAT she was studying. him with the
purpose Of determining the weakest
points in the barrier he had built up
between himself and the wiles of
women. ...--..
/ had 10 admit the cIeverness of
.ber first move. She looked laugh
Iingly at Alfred Durkee and spoke
directly TO him
Everybody knows you're a hot
lhouse plant, Alf.". she said tantaliz~
ingly. Il don't know. of any place.
YOU'D be really comfortable except
the one which my Puritan training
lfOrbids me to mention. You simply
don't know enough 70 appreciate the.
majors car. / hope he doesn't think.
that all your friends are similarly
lanlicted." ........ ...
She accompanied the little speech
with a swift. provocative glance at
THE young officer. then dropped her
leyelids with simulated shyReSs that
Twas as ridiculous to any one who
knew her as her reference to her
Puritan training. If ever there was
IA typical produce of New York's
lmolting pot. her race and. birthplace
lseduiously shroudcd bur unmistalI-
lably alien, it was the girl. glowing
beautiful. almost exotic. but hard as
ipolished steel. who had just given
the subtle challenge to Maj Grant
land. ...
There was only one thing for him
20 say. Even a man unused to
women could not help knowing that.
y He said it promptly, graciousIy. 80.
These chaps are slandering my
car Miss Brown. 1t is really quite
comfortable I hope you Will try it
! some time" -.'''
I'D love to-" she responded
: promptly with an exceedingly clever
; stimulation of ingenious frankncss.
I'm hold you to that promise when
|. I'VE set back. But just look at that
clock, will you. good people? If
we don't want our elders and the
baby 20 travel 70 the sunny south
without us we'd better get busy
with the eats"
She had spoken only the truth.
For the next few minutes we fairly
, lbolted our food. and our walk 10 the
train was a hurried one. Dicky and
Alfred took my bag and hat box. but
the cloak which had so nearly upset
. the tranquility Of the occasion de-
pended from Maj. Grantland's arm.