Palisadian. [volume] (Cliffside Park, N.J.) 1906-current, 1921-10-29
THE PUNISHMENT
BY JANE JORDAN.

Bobby was due an hour ago and his
present unreliable attitude troubled
her. Not two months since Mr.. Robert
Hampstead, whom she met at her
aunt's tea party, had been all prompt
ness and eagerneSs. Now she realized,
In humiliation, it was usually she who
suggested their evenings together, and
impatiently awaited his arrival.
Coralie was vastly proud of her low
er's growing success. Sweetly submits
sive, apparently, to his professions
call. But there was more than all this
in Boobies embarrassed evasions
Lily, the old colored woman who had
been Coralie's nurse and was still
privileged adviser, came to pat her
adored ones hair.
Honey" she comforted, "don't you
go an fret bout Mistah Hampstead.
He's bOun' to come round all right,
though he Is kinda mixed up In his
'tentiOns.
That's all count of that playin'
friend of his what everybody's crazy
bout. Women, you see, honey, sort of
turn that musical mans head, till he
don't think much Of any Of 'em.
hear him an Mistah Robert talking
the evening you was out, an the sing.
nm man came over here after him, an
he says to Mistah Robert to go slow,
that gettin' into marriage was easier
than gettin' out; and marriage was
mostly mistake anyways to tempera-
mental folks like them, an Mistah
Robert he seemed sorta uncertain yet
believin' like as the two went away
together.
Reckon he amt really done SUP
rendered yet, Mis- Coralie, for all his
lovin' of YOU"
The black eyes twinkled.
can this yere maneuvering round
VS. hurtin' him more than it hurts you,
honey lamb"
Coralie went forward to meet the
tall young man who came at last, con-
| f1dently, through the doorway. This
| time there was no excuse.
"Coralie," Bob Hampstead said alb.
ruptly, "Pm going away. Just time to
make my train. Signed up with the
DuSlIlcSS OluCc Ill SHlCdSO IOI tWO
months. Goodby. DEAR" the last words
grudgingly.
"Why goodby, Bob" answered Cor.
allie, her tone was quite even.
"You see," he burst out, 81 may as
well be frank. I've been growing al
mighty fond of you lately-too fond;
| Pm not in a position to marry. So"
Bob floundered hopelessly-I thought
I'd better go away"
When he had gone Coralie stood con-
| sidering, then an odd little smile
twisted her lips.
$50 this is the influence Of the play
Ing man."
"Well, he will have to be punished"
Coralie took down the telephone re-
ceiver.
please" she asked sweetly Of the
masculine voice that answered, may
I speak to Mr.. Raphael Vernon? This
Is Mr. Vernon? Coralie Richmond
speaking. You may remember my
name. Yes, friend of Bobby Hemp
stead's. 1 would like very much to
talk with you concerning this new
business venture of Boobies. You see,
am much interested. Could you
spare an hour to me this evening. ]
know Robert values your advice so
highly. I, too, would like your opin-
ion. The wrinkles deepened in Lily's
black eyes as her nursing turned,
dimpling, from the telephone.
"What dress you-all gwine to wear
for this ebening, honey?" she asked.
"De"one you looks mostest like an
angel in Is the plain white wild de big
blue SASH"
Robert Hampstead missed Coralie
more than he had believed possible.
Chicago, though big and busy place,
seemed strangely lacking in entertain
ment. Also. away from Raphael YER
mons caustic offerings, marriage ap-
| peared to be far from the undesirable
thing he had made it. Bob began to
figure industriously regarding bunga-
lows. AS he plaintively hummed "The
Love Nest" and wondered If Coralie's
| eyes would be as blue in reality as
| they had been in his dreams. OF her
| forgiveness because of his silence he
was sure. Had Coralie not always
awaited his coming? So Robert Hemp
stead took a trip back home.
| Lily admitted him to the pretty
apartment rooms which were Coralie's
home. She was at the piano, Lily told
him, practicing new song.
Bobby slipped in unannounced and
stood pressing his fingers in boyish
fashion over the girls closed eyelids.
"Guess who?" he joyously whispered.
Coralie's loved laughter rippled forth.
"Why," she answered softly. tits
Raphael. of course"
"Raphael?" he sharply repeated the
!. name as she turned to face him. Slow
ly but eloquently Coralie nodded.
Raphael and 1 are engaged to be
married, Bobby" she announced.
Imply the man sank into chair.
But Raphael scorned marriage" Rob-
| Icof hn