The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1921-08-19
NEW FEARS.
Chapter "a.

Chapter "a.
The little details that were growing
so important, seemed to pile up into
one great heap before me-a mass OF
facts, suspicious. fears, jealousies, an
Aieties, that appalled, me.
Win and | were always on the 60
One night a party at Medals. another
dinner with Shirley, then Mrs. Van
Brugh. Then we had them at our
place. We danced, we played cards
until all hours and for sums | knew
we could not afford-for Win was not
a good player-and on the occasional
evenings when there was nothing
scheduled, Win took EN- to a theatre,
or some of the hotels to dance.
We rarely got in before 2 o'clock.
Win seemed to thrive on 1.-THE more
he ran about, the more fascinated he
was with the froth and friyolty of the
city
I'm too tired to co." l would pro-
test sometimes.
Then rest during the day! You
silly women, you race about all day,
and at night you are played out You
have nothing to do. And Connie, do
get new dress; have seen that pink
one till I'm tired of it"
II hate all this silly killing of time.
l protested occasionally.
"Oh, come on, Connie dear he
would urge in reply. You talk like
mother. She hated to go out, too"
So l went. l always went. And
could not rest very much during the
day II seemed to me that in our
particular set the women spent their
days doing the planning and the work
ftai..
husbands TO in the evening.
And it was all so useless, so futile
Why did we dance evening after
evening? Where was the fun in play
ing cards afternoon and night? The
money flowed through our fingers.
1t went to hotel walters, hat boys, for
theatre tickets, opera tickets, charity
benefits; it went to caterers and dec
orators. had to have flimsy dresses.
and they crushed and looked old in no
time. | had to buy more. If not, my
aunt would have some cynical remark
to make about marrying a poor man,
and Win. sensitive to such criticism,
would be annoyed and make me go
out and buy more dresses.
Our checking account ran low, and
began charging things at the stores.
OF course | had credit everywhere.
That came of being one of THE Ben
netts-the only advantage, and that
a doubtful one, ever derived from my
name.
Don't you remember the long, quiet
evenings last summer" | asked Win
one night. was sitting by the living
room fire. pulling on my gloves while
we waited for some friends to call
for US. We were going driving to
a dinner and dance in Weschester
county.
l thought of those delightful eve
nings, of the GOODNESS the patches OF
black shadows and the silvery moon
light, the sense of perfect peace and
relaxation.
DO | remember! Weren't they
awful?" Win answered. I'VE were
dead then"
Dead then! | was nearly dead now.
Il can't go tonight l said suddenly
81 meant it. l was SO tired and ner-
vous l felt l could not move.
"Connie!" 1t was a mixture of
sympathy and sudden annoyance.
Connie, why do you exhaust yourself
during the day? Why don't you rest
then? ! think you might, dear. if you
loved me. You know how | love TO
take you OUT dLlu SllOW YOU OlIs
His arms were around me as he
spoke. / leaned my cheek against his
shoulder
Please, let's stay in tonight. They
won't mind if we don't 60"
All right" he answered, and kissed
me. But the JOY of life had gone
from his voice. Poor Win, he so en-
loved this constant excitement. And
it tired me so and bored me.
So | changed my mind and insisted
that he go.
(Which makes an extra man. II
have to find someone to make an even
number" he said.
Call Media, perhaps she can-it's
short notice"
He went to the phone. But he called
another number, and | heard him ash
for Gwendolyn. She had an engage
ment, and he asked her to break it
Presently she said she would, for hC
said he would call for her at once.