Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1919-1980, 1921-06-28
Leaving Home

I / knew from my mOLner lace
that Mr.. Early had said nothing
to her about my intended busi-
: ness departure and / thought 1t
best to keep her in ignorance
= until we were alone.
Mr.. Early and l said very little
to each other on our gay to the
country club. Instinctiveiy we
/ fell into that friendly silence
which speaks so eloquently of
similarity of taste, complementary
temperament and adequate under
standing which makes for CANA
raderie.
, Mr.. Early made a wonderful
impression upon Duane Benton
his personality seemed - pleas
inga to men as tE women--and |
felt that the whole dining room
at the country club was buzzina
with gossip about my coming in
to dine with strange man.
With this knowledge came also
the realization that knew mo-
thing about Roland EARLY per-
sonally. Womanlike, had told
him all about myself while he
had youchsafed nothing in regard
to himself and his affairs.
I did not talk much through
the luncheon. My problem was
I too big for me to join ia the
gay badinage that flashed from
Bah to Mr.. Early. was picked up
by Duane and then caught deftly
again by the magazine editor.
why are you so still, Alix?"
asked Bab 81 hope you are not
going to be like most authors
perfectly stupid in society"
"Mrs. Hammersly could not be
stupid. She is one of those wo-
men who does not have to speak |
to be eloquent"
Duane looked up quickly and
seemed about so say something
sarcastic. but evidently thought
better of it. Mr.. Early began to
ask about trains and notwithstan-
ding both Duane and Bah inyit-
ing him to stay over, he quietly
refused and insisted upon being
taken to the afternoon tEain.
could see that Bah thought
it strange that I did not az
company them, but 1 Aade little
Hal the excuse for my returning
hose, and bade Mr.. EARLY a some
what strained goodbye.
What was the matter with
you at luncheon today? had
you and Mr.. Early been quarrel
ing. l never saw you so silent"
f'No, my dear, we had not been
quarreling. On the contrary,
Mr.. Early has offered my a posi-
ton on the staff of his magazine
and l expect l shall be leaving
you Immediately to take it,"
what! What can you do on
a magazine?"
HE evidently thinks I can do
for he has offered me
a hundred dollars week for :,
certain class OF editorial stories
and will pay me current prices :
for my fiction, extra" .
Bah looked at me shrewdly. =
did Roland Early tell you any >
thing about himself? Do you =
know whether he is rssrried or u
not?" a
"Bab, he took precious good o
,are to find out whether you "
we're married." a
"That is perfectly natural. He
Inew that il 1 had a husband I
would not be able to acceps the
position he had to offer"
Bah seemed only half convinced 4
ind at dinner when 1 broached the Y
ubject to father AMI mother the
torn descended.
Dad seemed to take il ais a per-
onal grievance. "Why, Alicia"
Ie said. haven't I been treating
ou well? One would think you oI
1ere not happy in your fathers d'
ouse." pa
"why, of course I am happy, 70
lad. But do you not understand W
hat after Woman marries and "a "a
as a family of her own. she VI
lust make a nest for herself,
ven IL she mak<s it alone?" III
Mother fairt wept at the sh
of bely hereft OF little ed
al and it was only when told IN
er that 1 would leave him with III
er until l was fairly settled in
" new homo, with everything N
arranged for his com VI y.
'rt and good health, that she
scame in the least reconciled.
At last it was settled, but for -,
me foolish fancy that l could -,
IT explain, did not notify Mr.. 90,
arly that l was coming for oh
rec of four days. - ma
1 had intended to wait 81 week. Re
It upon receiving a letter from tn,
m, curt and businesslike. ask for
g me IL l had made up my mind, FL,
telegraphed. Have accepted sor
ur proposition. viii be In va
ur city on Monday.-Alicia ths
,v,D,arulx- chs