Omaha daily bee., 1921-07-17

one of her turns--turned toward me as she
might to new flame. She wants to make
II up. . . Neen, don't want her. l should
not want her If the other woman weren't in
the world. Don't tell me it's my duty to make
1t up! That's what have on my mind;
what wanted to ask you, my good friend"
There was long, long silence. I sat with
my chin on my hand staring into the fire.
made a picture there with the black and gold
and amber and the gray smoke. The
Red Fisher danged his feet merrily in the
rames set his teeth ana forgot to smile
he played ME at the end of the line Won
dered--so did I!--if was firmly hooked !
swan round and round, ! thought, till the
water in fast ripples that l could hear.
His-s-s-s. That was only the sound
of the flames. Flap-fap-lap.
Only the puffs of the jets of coal gas catch
ing fire. . l put my hands on the arms
of the chair. One tightening of my
nerves and I should go to Robert. I paused
only for the right word. Just his
name. I would say Bob. dear!" drew a
BREATH half rose. . i. . And heard Mar
garet's voice in the hail. She had come home
. What a magnificent woman she looked
when she switched on the light at the door!
II had fancy to be domestic tonlght,"'
she said laughngly; "but suppose you're go
ing out, Bob?"
ST am going out" he told her. and rose.
They looked hard at each other. Several
times / thought they were going to speak.
but they did not She gasped when he had
gone; clinched her hands Presently she
clutched my
Hes going to her!" She Kissed.
Don't be fool" said
HE wants to get rid of me-" she said in
my ear. HE thinks-Neen. he's having me
watched!"
'He would, If were he," told her-that
was not true. I had no suspicion of her
"but he isn't 1 should think it's your con-
science; II you have one"
Until tonight 1 had" she told me furious
Iy, "new it's gone came home to try and
put things right. was ready to humble my
self to him." She laughed wildly. "You side
with him, of course. daresay you'd try to
marry him, II I were gone!"
Margaret" NI
II didn't mean 1t, Neen. Don't you turn
on me. You're the only pal have. Women
don't like me. Well. men do!
Can't you help me. Neen? l tell you I'm
desperate Do you understand"
What do you mean? I clutched her arm
''Why should I stay with a man who de-
spses me when another adores me? I've been
good woman till now. but You don't
know what temptation IS"
"Who is it,"
II didn't say it was any one.
Don't stare at me like that! You look IA
devil! If I did. he'd have driven me
to it; he's cold brute He"
II won't listen to abuse of him. said.
Don't CO." she pleaded. I want hep-I
J."
closed the door upon her.
I called at Roberts office the next morning
and him alone
"Bob," said, "rve got to be disloyal to
one friend another. You have to como
first. . You are-of all friends-dearest
to me. can't see your life spoilt
by tie that you honor and shelf I were
you I sholld have Margaret watched.
Not word. It doesn't bear discussion"
He slowly; staggered; rested his hand
on the table.
"Nina?" he said hoarsely. "You know that
she-?"
Have her watched" I said sharply. Then
I turned and walked out. I went away for
a month. When I came back he had taken
proceedings for his divorce.
I don't know what kink in my character
took me to the court. He had kept me out
Of it, OF course. and needn't have gone Mar
garet foolish enough to fight the case.
don't think she expected to save herself, only
wanted to say what she said in the box.
II have done things that lay me open to
suspicion" she said, looking like q beautiful.
pale statue, things that I should not have
done. deserved to lose my husbands affec-
lion! But I tried to win it back. He did
1ot want me back. That made me desperate,
and I"
you have not answered my plain ques-
tion madam Roberts counsel interrupted.
He repeated the question: need not name
t-and she tainted in the box. The judge
suggested to her counsel that 1t was mat
er for his discretion whether this painful
should proceed when his
,lient recovered. She did not reappear and
ler counsel accepted judgment against her.
sometimes wonder whether she merely let
Judgment go by default to give Robert his
reedom. The man protested her innocence,
,ut he married her afterwards. l do not
rouble very much about Margaret even now
did not trouble about her at all then. My
,rain was in a mad whirl thinking of the time
when Robert would free to
ne. went away to the sea, which we loved.
o wait for him.
He did not come
1t was his idea of my goodness and
that delayed him, I suppose. He
hought that I should not wish him to speak
,et meant him to keep that idea all
ives. decided to go back to town and wait
patiently till we met in the usual course of
He away in the country, I
ound. His mother told me.
"You were friend of Margaret's," she said.
but think you wish for Roberts happiness"
Indeed" I said, II do, Mrs. Carr. Believe
ne I was. and am, friend Of Roberts too.
:. +. He deserves happiness; and If it de-
ended on my wish"
I drew deep breath; wondered whether
he foolish fellow feared that would refuse
i'm for some scruple. because I had been
largarets friend. .
''Then." she said. you will like to know
hat he has it. He is staying with the
eeds There is no engagement yet; but he
1 do not remember the rest. found my
If wping my face with my handkerchief and
ceiling as II had just come to" at the dentists
'om laughing gas.
1T is very hot" said; 'very hot. -,
feel az II something is sticking in my