Omaha daily bee., 1921-08-21

certain reserves that Bourke liked in women.
She was the sort, he believed. with whom not
even a husband becomes acquainted all at
once. 1t was her type-not her physical
type for he had a preference for blondes
bit her mental type, that attracted him. He
could not, for instance, imagine Spenser
Bourke ever being bored in his home life.
There were he imagined, many, many angles
to her character; one would discover them
singly.
Tonight she seemed more brilliant than
ever before. Not that she said anything Of
particular moment, but her eyes were fash
ing; her lips tremulous, quick to curl in a
smile; her speech was fluent. rapid. AS
though, he mused, she were under some sort
of strain. But, Of course the wife Of Spenser
Bourke could be under no strain. Her home
life was too ideal. He remembered that
Bourke had told him that he had been out
OF town for a couple Of days. That accounted
for It; she was so happy at seeing him home
again. Possibly there was something in this
marriage proposition, after all. If ones re-
turn could make lovely girl beam with
JOY.
The dinner was simple and delicious
Bourke and his host were lighting their Sec
ond cigarets in the big living room when the
Merrimans and their guest. Miss Harring
ton, were announced. And after the greet
ings and the Introduction os the young wom-
an to the three people whom she did not
know had been accomplished. Miss Harring.
ten said:
I saw you yesterday, Mrs. Bourke."
1t was a casual remark. a tine killing,
pause filing statement. But Allsyne chal.
lenged 1t. That was how jenkins phrased it
to himself. For her tone II not her words,
held a crispness that was almost defiant.
I'm quite cure that you're mistaken, Miss
Harrington"
Tho younger girl smiled. 20, but I'm sure
I'm not. You were In a car-a roadster; on
Vaasey street."
kllayne shook her heae. "I have l. road
ste.. butt wasn't in it yesterday. I was
Indoors all day"
Hiss Harrington laughed. "Then I didn't
ses you," she said pleasantly. and the Incl.
dent was closed. In a moment the bridge
table was brought forward and they were
cutting for partners.
But 1t was several hands before Alnyne
could concentrate on the game. For she had
told the first direct lie of her life. How
many more would she be compelled TO tell?
Ehe wondered IL she had stressed her denial
30 that it was noticeable to any one! But
The subject was not brought up again; she
tslt that she had deceived every one present
AS matter Of fact, she had. Jenkins
who had thought that her tone hes Eote
that the pleasant statement Of Miss Harring-
ton hardly justified. forgot all about It a
moment afterward.
But he remembered 1t the next E.orniny.
For the men whom he had detailed to MAXI
a list Of the Hillstown car owners who pos
sessed license plates beginning and ending
with the figure IL" had LETT the lists upon
his desk. Running swiftly down them
there happened to bo something less tkan
sixty names-he saw listed that Of Mrs.
Spenser Eourke.
Last nights little contretemps leapcd iLto
his mind 1t was absurd, ridiculous. but
Mrs. Bourke had denied having been in her
car with emphasis quite out Of proportion
10 the importance Of Miss Harrington's state
nent unless-she didn't wish II to be known
sraat she had been out!
Had Aayne Bourke been anything iess
than what she was had she been anything
less than a most modest woman, Jenkins
might have shrugged his shoulders anc dis.
missed the matter from bits mind There
was more than one young matron Of Hills
town who kept her husband in the dark as
- her goings and comngs.
But Allayne BourRe was not that tort
Most undeniably she was not that sort No
vulgar intrigue involving deceit OF her hus.
band could possibly lead Mrs. Spencer
Bourke to falsehood She loved her hus'
band The veriest cynic unhuns would con.
cede that to her.
Eut--she had not told the truth last night
cr--wlcn was Quite protable-Miss Harring-
Don had neep m,s,aken. 1t was SO serious