The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram., 1922-11-11
ON THE WAY
Chapter 102

This is really beginning life," said
Pan as they settled themselves in {. |
hotel suite In the city after their brief
trip to the farm"
why do you wait until now to say
life is beginning?" George asked with
some amusement, watching her unlock
suitcase and deftly place piles of gar
ments in a bureau drawer. You've
been married more than week. Life
is atSleast that old for me-"
"Oh. that was only a honeymoon"
Pan dismissed it lightly. THAT wasn't
being really married. This is mucb
more like Ii. We've three rooms all
TO ourselves, almost home, in fact.
Almost" George laughed, lounging
against the window and watching her
at work Which reminds me that /
must cable my aunt the day of our
arrival. so she'll have time to settle
herself"
Settle herself" Pan perched her
self on the arm of chair, looking dis.
tressed. "Of course! But I'm de
priving her of a home-that seems So
dreadful. Couldn't she stay? She's
looked after you for years. She'll hate
me now, putting her out"
She WON'T" George assured her.
She thinks all men are superfluous,
though I'm less SO than the average
Her ideal of life is a manless homs.
all tabby cats and spinsters, with oc-
casional lecture tours to women's
clubs. The only time she finds men
useful are as railway porters."
Pan laughed a bit. Georges aunt
did herself very well when she trav
elled, she was a fashion as well as u
social and educational event to the
clubs she lectured in. Pan had once
seen her departure for tour, with two
trunks, two suitcases, a small valise
Z and blanket roll, maid and the
maids luggage and an army of portere
"She won't mind. She's always
wanted to live at a woman's cub.
George went on. "Her conscience
bothered her about me. That's one
reason why she stayed on"
Well" Pan was partly satisfied.
She returned to her unpacking. direct
ing her attentions to Georges luggage.
1T seems odd to handle masucliue
shirts and collars" she said. Yours
are so much larger than Frankies.'
ITS shame for you to bother !"
George was apologetic. when we're
home. I've got man who will do al
that"
II like it." his wife answered
There's something romantic about it,
just because these things belong to
you. Once / helped aunt Maude un-
pack for Gladys and Morton, while we
were settling there house and they
away on their honeymoon. 1t seemed
almost sacrilegious familiarity for me
to touch his shirts and ties. but aunt
Maude had no such delicacy!" She
paused, smiling a little. They were
mostly lavendar strips too, and he had
reddish hair"
George gave a shout of laughter and
came to her from the window, putting
his hands on her shoulders.
When a woman criticiZes a mans
taste in ties and shirts, she's no long.
er in love with him!" he exclaimed.
Pan, do you like what l have?'
Yes" she agreed, turning her face
so he could kiss her mouth. Il like
everything about you. Now run on to
your club, or somewhere, I'm going to
Mrs. Clarke's to have tea and get
frankie"
He watched her up the street, pleas
ed at feeling such complete posses
sion of the slim little figure, the whiu1
y sical mind, the sweet earnestness
that made up the sum of Pan. Their
he swung off to his club, and forgot
Pan and every other woman in gamc
of billiards with skillful opponent
But even when he wasn't consciouslS
thinking of her, unconsciously, shf
was in his mind, little current o.
thought that concerned her and he
wishes and sayings, certain elfiT
quality he vainly loved to paint. hel
complete, almost eager giving of her
self to him-a current of thoughts like
these flowed on steadily under hi.
conscious thinking and made him hap
pier than he had ever been and at last
completely contented. When he cam
back. Pan was giving frankie the lat
est news of horse and dog friends i
the country
And I've arranged for large am
expensive dinner party for all oul
friends the night before we sail,' sht
told him. This is really being mar
ried, isn't it-giving dinners and beint
called madam by the WATERS
"Is it?" asked George smiling. BE
ing married is coming home to fine
you waiting"
On the ship, they found the sam,
two critical women who had gossipe;
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