The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1921-10-01
A LONG TALK.
Chapter n.

Colin went back to the en- dlteT
three weeks, promising to cone down
again. He had some work 10 do in
preparing a picture for the autumn
exhibit: and portrait 10 do as well.
So | was left quite alone for a time.
The days passed lazily. and not I'M
pleasantly. if I could only have for.
gotten the dull pain that never left
me
I had not heard a word from Win
throp, since the letter enclosing
check. ! returned the check and he
made no further attempt ether to
send me money or to find OUT what
was doing. | had taken back my Old
allowance from my own family, which
was more than enough for the simple
way ! liked to live.
So ] knew nothing az all Of Wins
whereabouts. | wondered whether he
was sticking out the not months IN
the city. Probably, for the roof gar
dens were cool, and there were always
people about to keep him amused,
Theatres had iced air blowing through,
80 an evening could always be passed
pleasantly; and Win had a car IN
which he could get out of the city III
no time, into the cooler country.
But Win had no taste for country
life. Weekend parties to him meant
only a collection of people from the
city. who sat about and smoked
through tea, gossipped through DIN
ner, spent the evening dancing and
playing cards, and half the night SIT
ting up talking and smoking ] douot
If h5 nnrif.a1 tho m the
weekend visits we used TO pay
Nor had his mother heard from Win.
After that one letter, he had ceased
to write. For me, my husband had
dropped completely from ny hfe. Per-
haps it was as well, but Il only
accumulated my loneliness
For even when / laughed there was
deep within me a great desire 10 cry,
and even when | talked Other things,
there was unconsciousy little
thought of Win. lived with him al
ways, in my mind, as closely md love.
linsly az in the early days OF our
marriage
had news finally, when ny aunt
Harriet suddenly descended for visit.
Enthusiastically, the visit was I'M
epected. | drove home late one after
noon from a sale far out IN the coun-
try, where | had bought 1--we of an
old antique side table and some chairs
and rag rug. Aunt Harriet, in the
smartest of white summer dresses,
was on the porch.
"Merciful heavens, you look like 4
moving van,' was the first hing She
said at the sight of the stuE piled in
the machine.
Il feel like one | answered cheer
fully Why didn't you let ne know
and ! could have met you? Lift Con
ME out, will you. and l viii get this
unloaded"
My aunt gingerly lifted the baby
out. Connie gave her one long serious
look from her gray eyes, then tyotted
up the path and went in search of
her toy engine.
Child looks like an owl" Aunt
Harriet remarked. ELLEN made me
tea Come up or the porch and !
will pour you some. Not bad place
here, for country home"
Aunt Harriet stayed a week, then
her restlessness carried her of again.
Her sense of duty was soothed by the
visit.
I'm glad you like it" said 10 her
the day before she left.
Il don't" she ansered promptly. u
only said il wasn't as bad as expect.
ed. At least you have Ellen to do
the work and your meals are not
bad Simple food is healthy doubt
less, but uninteresting after a time.
However. you don't seem to mind it. -
Il prefer it-besides | like the quiet
here
We'll. you do look better. I wish
you would get rid of that wisttul eH.
preston, though. 1t makes YOU look
hunbug. The wisttul type vent out
of fashion long ago. The hearty, TO
bust, comradely type is what We like
nowadays. Personally, / don't like
the sportswoman eternally carrying a
tennis racquet or a golf bag, but they
are all right in the summer. Rid
them of their tan and teach them to
talk we'll and they do all right in the
drawing rom in the winter, though.
Sorry | can't be the fashionable
type" | answered Il much prefer
simplicity and sincerity
so did your mother" Aunt Harriet
said suddenly. Your father hasn't
had so great a shock in years as the
one you gave him when You decided
TO settle here
"Why?" | asked. At last Aun Hart
riet had mentioned my motbe-the
mysterious woman who wasSa name
and a single vague picture in my
mind.
Because that's why she died, ant
she lust about broke his heart
Tell me-
There's not much to tell She
came from New England. She was
as pretty as you, although plump ant
less cultured-not having had YOU