Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-10-18
A BACHELOR HUSBAND
BY RUBY M. AYRES
author Of "Richard Chotterfon,' Etc.
Copvrioht. 1870. bv ". ). Watt A o.

was faint sneer in Feathers
to,ce' ana his eyes looked grim: h
hneW that If he waited Chris woul,
right. anu "e WI"
Marriage" said Chris. with tb
air of one who has suddenly liphta,
upon great and original discovery ii
fact" ""' '''"'
feathers stopped to knock the asbp
IRON ms pipe against wooden post.
III not compulsory, anyway" h,
said quietly. After all. men morr,
to please themselves. -
Or to please some one else" soi,
Chris with a growl
mere was n little silence.
~ Or for money" said Feathers de
Chris stopped to kick a pebble Of
ihe promenade to the sands below, anc
ne answered bis friend glOomily:.
NOBODY but fool would marry n
woman for her money" "
Feathers stared. He oppned hi,
mouth as if to speak. but closed il ornin
with little snap.
After all, what use was it to rnise
an argumentE He did not want ia
quarrel with Chris. and vet he knew that
ne had never had better reason for
so doing. '" '''
Mhen are, you coming back TO
town Chris asked after n moment
Don't knG; haven't made up nv
nina yet. Feathers looked at Chris
quizzically. Suppose yon'U rnthcr
drop out Of things now. ch 2" he asked
Chris stared.
Drop out? Good Lord. no." hc
flushed angriy. "NVhat do Won mean
because ] happen to have got mar
ried?"
1T generally makes difference. :"
Feathers said lightly.
Not in my case. Marie's a sensible
life" ''
Yes. that's the trouble"
what the deuce do YOU mcan?"
Il mean that you're father apt TO
lose sight Of the fac, that she's no
longer kind of sister to you. but a
wife, feathers said quietly. Also.
! suppose that when yoltswcre kids to-
gether she spoilt you like the devil, and
1t looks as If she means to go on spoil.
ing you"
Chris laughed in amusement.
Sp0ilS me-Marie spoils me. That's
good He really thought it was. Like
most men whose chief ambition 1t is to
sec that they get their own way no
matter at what Inconvenience to others.
he was quite unconscious of tn" fact
he really thought he was rather an un-
selfish man: he certainly considered
that perhaps with the exception of the
little scene this morning when he had
loSt his temper he had treated Marie
rather well.
You don't understand women. NV
ha
Feathers looked at him suuarcly.
DO you?" he asked.
Chris looked rather nonplussrd,
;Well, perhaps DON'T" he ad-
mitted. ''And perhaps don't want
to. prefer mans company any day
70 n WomnnS. YOU know that-except
Marie :, of course. he added hastily
There was n little silence.
What do you think of my wife. any
way:' he asked, with q rather forlorn
attempt at jocularity.
What do think of her." Fcath-
ers echoed. "Well-she's all right -"
he added lamely. He stopped and barred
his head 10 the cool sea breeze. "Hadn't
we better turn back?' he asked
They strolled back to the hotel to-
g'ther; pcrSpiring porter was stag
grrlng across the lounge with Marip'S
luggage. Chris portmantcau and suit
cas-" stood already by the door.
were not going till after lunch. "
CARTS said. "Thry turn YOU ont of
your rooms in hurry. don It they? |
wonder where Marie is?'
She sitting over there in the win.
dow. Feathers answered.
IL" had seen Marie aS soon aS they
entered the l0ungc-Srcn something in
her face. too. that pierced his heart
'lke n knife as h" turned deliberately !
md walked away from her.
n" had been prepared to dislike
'hri>topher'S wife. because he had
h"nGht she would rob him of his frirnd
'ul in ia" last three weeks something
eemcd TO have played pitch and toss
Win AL his pr"rourpived ideas Of mar
tage and women.
He went out into the garden and
InSt he almost finished, then he
trollcd in.
Chris aud his wifi" were in the
'ungr, dressed for travelling. Marie
as looking anXiOu>ly toward the door
5 It" came slowly forward and her
'Sttui face lightened uS Sh" saw him.
'Whcrr have you bcem:' Chris de-
handed. ',W"'r" just of. YOU old
ow ronch."
II didn't know il was 50 InIr." He
'ok"d at Marie. II hop" you'II have
pleasant journey bnrk." he said. The
ordS sounded absurdly formal and un-
k" him. and tn" girls face flushed IN
amt perplCXity.
Fhank YOU. hope "" SHALL"
Ih"rr was n taxi AT the door. piled
it'll luggage; Mrs, lI"riot was r3uso
:. dressed in very smart tweed COS
Im". and with her golf clubs >lung
'"r her shoulder.
Sh" looked NJ Chris commi>rratingly
You poor dear. going back to smoky
Il London. Don't You wish Won wrr.I
ming out on the downs with me-"
Chris Inughed, and held cut his hand.
Good by, Mrs. Ilerior. Good hy
rd- what do pcopl" say: until our
'Nt merry meeting
She shook hands with Marie.
"Good'by, You dear Thing, and I'm
glad YOU re 50 much BETTER -
Feathers was standing by the door
tn" taxi. his rather shabby SIuurh
It tilted ovcr his eyes. his hands
rust into his porkctS.
Mnri" turned to him.
"GoOd by. Mr.. DukrrS.
"Good by, Mrs. lMwIr~>. ur
ooh her hand in his big paw. squeezed
and tet II 60. standing back to make -
ON for Chris. I
Several of the hotel visitors who had -,
"n rather friendly with Chris came |
uStrring for hast w-rd |
See You in town. old chap rhrrri" |
on forget t" look m" up. lou'vr |
u my address, |
Th" taxi driver iu'rrposrd. |
~ on ain got to" much time for |