The Washington times., 1922-01-15
BY PRINCESS BIBESCO

but in spite Of her intimate under
standing of him he had sometimes
felt little twinges Of doubt a. to
his knowledge Of her. They van
ished almost Immediately. but one
enduring image remained. It was
bis marriage night. Drowned almost
in the flood Of his passion he had
caught a glimpse of her before he
went under.
She didn't look Disguised or fright
ened or shocked. but cool and un-
touched and aloof as II she were not
implicated In this experience, Int
were watching It from far away.
Physical intimacy did not seem to
reach her remoteness. But when he
was telling her all about himself, his
slightest reactions to the slightest
experiences. the tiniest little details
Of his intricate psychological peculi-
arities. then her absorbed interest
wiped out all tiresome Impressions.
The infectious gurgie Of her laugh
treasured him completely.
They settled down II life-a
smooth. beautifully run life. There
were days when the perfection Of his
household surprised him and days
when he took II for granted. 1t was
winter and the house was full Of
leafless white lilac from Holland and
poinsettias, arum lilies. violets. and
gardenias from Millet.
The flames In the open fireplaces,
the Paul veronese heaps Of fruit on
the table. the Queen Anne silver. the
Waterford glass, the white Wedge
wood china. the old family cook. her
niece the still.room maid. the old
family recipes, all combined to
achieve the perfection of old.fashion-
ed country house comfort.
Adrian had never seen Mirlst.
Amber had ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.
countably to him-refused to take
him there, IL the delicate unon-
swerable reasons connected with
his comfort which she produced
could be called refusal. OF
course. the country was very cold
in winter. He tried to remember
what she had said in the summer
while they were engaged, but he
couldn't. However. he soon forgot
all about 1t, and from time to time
she slipped off alone. having first
arranged the most perfect plans
for him, a very small and recon
siderate mans dinner or a tete-a-
tete evening with an irresistible
incomprise.
He wondered how she had dis.
covered that the incomprise was
longing to pour out her heart to
him. She was always leaving him
alone with women, who wanted to
confide In him. His friendship was.
they explained Che could wish they
didn't always use the same words),
the one bright spot in their drab
lives. He found himself looking at
the diamonds that trickled all over
one Of these poor victims.
You wear your chains" he said.
What a delightful fancy! He made
a note Of 1t. Bound by Jewels"
sounded poetic IL you caught the
right aspect. but 1t might have
rather a cinema ring. He must
ask Amber.
Doesn't your wife mind?" asked
one of the distressed ones hope
fully. my having you like this
all to myself"
Amber had said she mustn't
be selfish. He was a writer. He
must haxe experience. 1t struck
him suddenly that she ought to b.
jealous-just a little tiny bit jeai-
ous-it would be only natural, only
right.
That night. as IL in response to
his unformulated grievance, she
murmured, Perhaps am not
quite so strong minded as thought
I was. Perhaps after all . ."
He was enchanted.
His marriage really was a sue
cess.
The next evening at dinner Am
Der deftly led the conversation to
the subject of Mrs. R, her hus-
band, her discomfort, her jewels.
she wears her chains" said
Adrian.
1t had a great success.
1T Is better thus" he thought.
IAN epigram should never be diff.
fused into a sketch"
k<rY NDER q Shady Tree"
More musings by the au-
thor Of From a Pergola"
in April.
I'VE notice a new note--a deeper,
a more human note-in the work O:
Mr.. Adrain Rose. There is a throb.
bling pulse of life in Under a