The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1922-12-19
Chapter 4.

our APARTMENT was only a fIvc-room
one. but when we were ready 10 move
IN Claire said she never would have
believed il could be SO lovely. Not that
Walter had been extravagant. he had
not Simple furniture Of lovely lines.
soft rugs that made background Tor
the walls tinted lighter shade. chintxs
Of faded co!ors In quaint or unusual
designs. sofa pillows that harmonized
yet gave an air Of elegance. not
jsrring note anywhere
Unless II Is in the kitchen" laugh
ingly told Claire. Il furnished that
and the maids room. Walter did the
rest"
Il shall look for an artist when set
ready TO marry" she returned. saves
ono lot Of trouble"
81 had a nice young girl for a maid.
Rather pretty Jennie was-Walter had
warned me not TO hire an ugly one.
saying It spoiled his appetite TO have
homely woman wait upon him. SO l
had shopped around In the intelligence
offices until found one l thought
wouldn't prevent him eating. Jennie
was a dark-haired. dark-eyed Irish girl
abou; 20 years old, slim. and when
dressed in her maids costume, looked
almost pretty. From the moment she
saw Walter she was his slave. No task
was too combining. too hard, II 1t was
tu he done for "Mr. Page" After she
had been with US about month l
heard her tell a girl who was calling
on her:
The missis Is ali right. nice as can
be. But him. You Just ought to SEE
him! He's that handsome. and always
got a gay word for me. It's lucky / am
to sit such a place"
Indeed you are. Jennie! Only two
In the family too"
II wouldn't care how many they was
IL they was all like him"
turned away. smiling. Even the
servants saw Walters attraction. No
wonder l loved him.
I suppose had better tell bit more
Of myself. was just %. rather tail
with brown hair and eyes. clear SKIN
and for tho rest. nose, mouth ana 30
OIL. Walter said once when / had on
partIcularly becoming dress that / had
Just escaped being beauty.
| laughed, but l was little hurt too
hot ut what lie said. but because he
never had suggested painting me. Be-
fore We were married he had said lie
Intended to. but he seemed TO have for
gotten it. and my pride would not allo"
me TO remind him.
Among the people / met were MT. ana
Mrs. Harter. Grace Harter seemed TO
want to I've friends with me at once
She was older than l and had known
walter for a long time. In spite OF
i my liking for her, either she or Walter
would occasionally allude 10 something
that gave me an uneasy fee!ing-a FEEL
ing that they had been moro intimate
than | had realized. George HIrter !
DID not quite like without being able
10 give any reason. He was 100 SILKY
. TOO oily, said 10 Walter when he
asked me why I did't like George.
IT wouldn't trust him. and I don't
hc,Ieye Grace IS happy with him. She
ISN'T natural when he's around. Her
Gaycty seems forced"
"pon't get notions into that little
head OF yours" he replied lightly.
"You and Grace used to be awfully
good friends. didn't you?" I asked. and
was surprised TO see him flush rediy.
yes, | was rather n beau OF hers AZ
one time. We are about the same age.
were in the same set. But she married
Harter and married YOU"
81 like her. and yet someway | nave
a feeling she Is holding something back
that she Isn't quite frank"
Nonsense. Don't dissect people.
Dureen. Take them as they seem 10
ho Grace Is good sort. Shed DO
ANYTHING, go any length for one she
Mod. I'm not so crazy over Harter
either, but you can't be friends VITA
the wife and snub the husband
Claire Gordon did not like Grace
TI,r.cr and didn't hesitate to say 20.
she WAS n raving beauty few
years ago. 30 everyone sails. Was paint
"A hv all the artists. She's handsome
enough vet, hut I dom. Ike either her
cr hcr husband. Perhaps I should be