Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-10-19
CHAPTER Y

THE hour which might have been, Yet might
Which mans and womans heart conceived
and bore,
Yet whereof He was barren on what shore
biqes 1t the breaking of Times weary sea?'
Marie had been back in London only
two days when she realized that. as far
as Chris was concerned, she need ex-
pect nothing more than the casual affec-
tion which he had always bestowed upon
her.
lie was just the Chris she had always
known-selfish and irresponsible and
wholly charming.
Sometimes she despised herself be-
cause, no matter how Indifferent he
might be to her. her love in no way
lessened. She felt that it would be
much more for her happiness and much
more sensible If she could grow as in
different to him as he was to her.
Time after time she told herself that
she would not care. that she would not
let him hurt her, but it was useless.
The first cold glance, the first small act
OF neglect, and the old wound ached
afresh.
Her greatest fear was thot Miss
Chester would know the real state Of
things When she was present Marie
always eXerted every nerve to appear
bright and happy she went out of her
way to talk to Chris. She was deter
mined that the old lady should believe
they had had thoroughly good time
and were perfectly happy.
She did not understand that eyes that
appear woefully blind can often see the
clearest. Miss Chester had long ago
discovered for herself that this mar
riage, like many others she had seen
during her life, was turning out fail
nre.
She was too wise to let either Of
them know of her discovery, but she
shed many tears over it in secret and
what she could do to help and put
things right, but realizing that she
could do absolutely nothing.
Interference would make things
worse. She understood thoroughly the
dlherent Compartments with which she
had to contend; she knew Just how
proud Marie was, just how obstinate
Chris could be. She could only wait
and hope with u trembling heart
Chris seemed to have drifted back to
his bachelor days; he came and went
as he chose. and he said no more about
looking for a house wherein he and
Marie might make their home.
Miss Chester spoke of it once to
Marie.
My dear, don't you think YOU
your own? | love you TO be with me.
but | am sure that Chris must want
his own home-it's only natural"
think Chris Is quite happy. Aunt
Nladgc,' Marie answered, in the too
luiet voice in which she always spoke
10 Miss Chester.
Quite happy, But what about
GOu?' the old lady asked Indignantly. |
Every wife wants her own home; it's |
Jnly natural and there's plenty of |
money for you to have delightful
lOmc.
Money again !" Marie thought
Tcarily. What great store every one
seemed to set by it
Chris had opened banking account |
or her, and told her to draw what she |
wanted and amuse herself; but Marie |
lad not yet learnt the value of money, |
and beyond spending n few pounds on
Iothes and odds and ends she had not
touched il.
He had given her diamond engage |
nent ri ny and another beautiful ring
when they were married. One after
loon when they were lunching alone, |
Miss Chester being absent, he said to
Marie suddenly
"Wouldn't you like pearl necklace
)r sOmethingF" The vagueness of the
question made her smile; there was
30 boyish about it, so very
Ike the Chris she had known years ago. |
II should If you think ] ought to
lave one" she answered.
Il don't know about ought to, "
10 said, obviously. But other women
ave trinkets and things, and pearls
would suit you, you're so dark Wen |
20 out this afternoon and look at some,
,hall we?"
She flushed with pleasure; it was so
edOm that Chris suggested taking her !
anywhere. She ran upstairs to dress,
ceiling almost happy she was so easily /
by Chris--a kind word or .
hought from him kept her content for
lays just as cross word or an act of
Indifference carried her down to the
lepths of despair.
CONTINUED TOMORROW