Evening star., 1922-02-19


could reasonably complain about
nothing to which be could definitely
object.
library fire. considering. 1t was a
spring night and the fire. was smol-
dering fftfully against the backlog.
low fire, but one that ate steadily into
the heart of the wood. John Palmer's
thoughts We're like that.
He imagined himself discussing the
matter with Mabel. He never had dis
cussed it with Mabel. He never would
discuss it with MABEL. But supposing
he did? She could hardly deny that
she had been flirting with Arthur Mil
lingham. But she could certainly as
sert that it was nothing. And it prob
ably was nothing. What could he say
then? He could say she was attract
ing attention-that she was exciting
gossip. But was sue?
John Palmer went round this circle
of thinking about seven times in an
hour. And then he realized that it
wasn't Mabers flirting that he OBJ
jected to so much. 1t was her atti-
tude toward him. She had come to
treat him as If he were a piece Of fur
niture-a mantei. say, to lean on oc-
casionaIly. But he couldn't very we'll
tell Mabel that. Besides. II she were
treating him the way she ha, treated
him when they were first married.
she wouldn't he flirting with Arthur
Millingham. So 1t was her flirting
that he objected to-in a manner of
speaking.
John Palmer had gone round this
circle about four times when he heard
the doorbell ring somewhere in the
depths Of the house He sat up sud-
denly. saw that it was after 10
o'clock. and answered the bell him.
self.
1t was Mabers father. John was
considerably surprised to receive a
call from Mr.. Durbrow at this hour,
but he did not betray his surprise. He
led the way back 10 the library and
got out some cigars of the kind Mr..
Durbrow liked and stirred up the fire.
There is nothing like a wood fire to
cover an embarrassing momentum
less it is the ritual of lighting a really
excellent cigar.
where's Mabel?" asked Mr.. Dur
brow.
y x X X
THE question was a natural one for
= a father to ask of a son-in law.
Or it should have been. But John Pal
mer turned the backlog over. for the
second time. and MFR. Durbrow exam
ined the wrapper of his cigar, which
he had already scrutinized elaborately.
I'm sorry she isn't at home" John
said. II know she'd be glad to see
YOU"
H-m-m-m." said Mr.. Durbrow.
81 believe she's dining at the Coun-
try Club" John continued.
Mr.. Durbrow frowned. Mr. Dur
brow bit deeply into his cigar.
Don't you know where she is,
john"
John WINGED. WINGED visibly. Mr..
Durbrow would have withdrawn that
question if he could. He hadn't in
tended to ask a question so bald. But
he had asked it. If he apologized for
asking it. he would only make it
worse. That is often the trouble when
one has said the wrong thing.
Not absolutely John said.
Mr.. Durbrow knEw that John Pal
mer was a singularly truthful man.
He saw clearly that John hadn't the
least idea where Mabel was at that
moment. He couldn't say where she
was. and he wouldn't lie about it. and
so he said just that-"Not absolutely"
John" said Mr.. Durbrow firmly.
He intended to carry this thing
through now that he had started it.
John" Mr.. Durbrow repeated more
firmly. II must beg your pardon. You
know Well. to be brutally
frank Mr.. Durbrow hesitated.
ITO be frank" he resumed, "to be
quite brutally frank-why, John.
we're old friends, aren't we?'
John Palmer nodded and, seizing
the tongs. he turned the backlog
half round. He did not speak. He
just turned the backlog a bit.
Mr.. Durbrow saw that John was
embarrassed. John Palmer was a
singularly honorable man. But he was
not a man to whom frankness came
easi1y-as it came to Mr.. Durbrow.
And slowly, minutely examining his
cigar, Mr.. Durbrow saw that he would
have to encourage Iohn, to show John
how to be frank. Mr.. Durbrow saw
that John had an immense need to be
frank. A double need. He needed to
be frank with himsslf. instead of con-
tinuine to hide the hurt he had al
ready hid too long. He needed to be
frank with Mabel. 1t was up to Mr.
Durbrow to lead the way.
I'm fond of Mabel" Mr.. Durbrow
said. "And lin fond Of you. John.
1 want to help you-only don't know
just what to say"
Il know" said John Palmer.
q hope, john" said Mr.. Durbrow.
that you don't mind my discussing
everything awfully frankly-this
way
NO" said John. He shifted the
backlog quarter turn. mot at ALL"
81 was sure you wouldn't" said MI
Durbrow.
John Palmer rose and paced back
and forth across the room.
Mr.. Durbrow rose and paced back
and forth the same way.
John" said Mr.. Durbrow
YES" said John.
"Things-you know-things can't
go on this way, can they?"
John shook his head.
X Il X *
MR.. DCRBROW sat down. Mr.. Dur
4'A brow knitted his brows in
thought. Somehow, in spite of his
frankness. they seemed to be talking
around the point. rather than to it.
But how the devil could they do any
thing else?