The Washington herald., 1921-01-07
The Marriage Mill
By MILDRED K. BARBOUR.
Copyright, 1921. BY the Wheeler
Syndicate, Ine.)
You Can Begin This story Any Day!
A FLAME REKINDLED.


This is rather cosy, isn't it?'' re-
marked Larry, following Alison into
the room and fiinging his splendid
length into the chair from which he
had risen at her entrance. quite
domestic We need only. to have
a violent quarrel and the occasion
will be perfectly natural-a slice Of
home, sweet home"
Alison, looking into the flames,
flushed at his humorously ironic
tone.
why not be on our good beba-
iour for a changer" she suggested
lightly.
why not, indeed?" he agreed
lighting a cigarette. Except that
good behaviour is the first thing
people forget when the marriage
service is said over them. They
think it gives them carte blanche
to be absolutely devilish for the rest
OF their days. Damn there cigar
ettcs-beg pardon, Alison, but I've
lost my pet pipe somewhere. I'd
have sworn I left it mere, but"
His eye roved aggrievedly over
the table, and Alison flushed again
guiltily as she thought of that pipe
reposing among the clutter of gloves
and handkerchiefs and scented tri-
fes in her dressing table drawer.
Have you been busy lately?" she
inquired politely, overlooking the
outburst.
He looked at her quickly.
Busy?
Il mean the Office" she amended
hastily. How is the work going?"
That's the first time you've asked
me about my work since We were
-F,-.a - II II gN -.
going pretty well. I've got a lot
money. Going to get a new car in
the spring-and possibly a speed
boat. You know, Alison" he smiled
in the delightful way that only Lar
ry could smile. 7 could almost give
you that sable coat you always
wanted. Life's ironical, isn't it.?
Things always come too late"
She agreed that it was, and got
Up. moving about restlessly.
The wind has ruined my hair"
she complained, glancing into the
oval mirror over the fireplace.
She tucked in the loosened
strands with deft fingers while
Larry watched her gravely. TAX
ing her vanity case from her wrist.
she applied powder daintily to her
H.
turning her head sideways to gauge
the effect.
So she was unprepared for the
little spring which Larry made from
her chair, sweeping her into his
arms, crushing her body against
his, covering her mouth with his
own.
But she freed herself instantly
in spite Of the wild eXultant thrill
that shot through her.
He cared still! He cared still!
Her heart sang.
Aloud she said. drawing back
from him as though his kiss had
stung her:
rs it very gallant to take ad-
vantage Of my presence here? You
asked me to stay and talk in a
friendly fashion. and ! was pre-
pared to meet you halfway. There
was no reason why we should be
bad friends, but now"
He bowed
7 beg your pardon, sincerely. I
lost control of myself for a moment.
1t won't happen again. I assure you.
Please sit down and let's discuss
the future" But though she graci-
ously consented and though he flung
himself back into his chair and lit
another cigarette with every indi-
cation of Carelessness, the atmos-
phere in the little room had
changed
Instead of the chill expression,
the conventional politeness of if
teen minutes before, the room was
electric with potential forces.
Alison, staring nO-committally
into the flames, felt it in every fibre
OF her slim body, that thrilled 10
the touch Of Larry's arms; in her
lips that burned yet with his kisses
She knew too that Larry felt it,
The flush had not died from his
strong young face, and the hand
that SO Carelessly held his cigar
cite rested against the arm to hide
its trembling.
When he spoke, his voice was
husky:
Now about this divorce; tell me
just what you want to do"
(COptfpuaJ tomorrowN