The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1922-11-20
CHAPTER /

When I became Walter Pages wife
1t seemed to me that no one could be,
or ever was, as happy as l. Walter
was an artist who already had made
something of a name for himself, al
though he was not quite 30 years old
His income was comfortable one
1t would give US all the comforts and
some of the luxuries of life. He was
handsome, gay, debonair, and-Irre-
sponsible. Beauty in any form APP
pealed to him-feminine beauty per
haps most of all, and, if not simply
portraits, most of his pictures con-
tanned female figures.
Just before we married. Claire Cor
don said to me:
I'D be as Jealous as could be of an
artist, Doreen-especially one so hand
some and attractive as Walter
should hate his models, l know I
should"
Nonsense! they are no more to
Walter than piece of furniture. They
are simply a part of the picture he is
painting" But unconsciously Claire
had put her finger upon the one sore
spot In my happiness. the fly in my
ointment" / loved Walter devotedly.
and trusted him-yet when / thought
OF him spending hours in his studio
with some lovely girl something very
like fear gripned me, only to be gone
at his first loving word, his kiss.
had suggested we take an apart
ment large enough SO he might have
his studio in it, but he quickly and
decidedly vetoed the idea.
why, darling, couldn't work! I'd
be making love to you. And / want
to make big success now l have you
to work for" So we took an partment
some distance form his studio, plan
ming later to buy small house in
some suburb. and have what he called
a real home"
/ had met Walter while visiting
Claire Gordon, and he had followed
me to my home near Boston and urged
a short engagement. So scarcely three
months after l met him we were
married. Father did not quite like
such haste, but Walter won Mother
as he did all women, and she sided
with us, so that Father had to give in.
But | remember Father said:
Have your own way, but there's an
old saying, Doreen, marry in haste,
repent at leisure Be careful you
don't prove its truth"
Don't ever worry about that, Faith
err Why, I'm the happiest girl in the
world" was my answer, and l was.
| was an only child. My girlhood
had been a happy one. We we're com.
fortably off, had pretty clothes, and
could entertain my friends. Father
was physician, a country doctor
he called himself when either Mother
or | scolded him for going out In all
weathers, at all hours to, look after
people from whom he could expect nc
fee.
Wed be rich II your patients paid
you'll" | would grumble.
IL am rich in their thanks, and the
knowledge that ! have helped them,
he would reply. They haven't any
money to give me. I'll have to tuck
on few dollars to some of the bills
of those who can afford to pay if you
are limiting for a new dress
When | was married Mother gave
me a very nice wardrobe, Father pok
ing me about how much they would
save when they no longer had me to
dress. But | caught him wiping his
glasses after he spoke, and knew he
was sad at the thought of losing me
But while | loved them both dearly
nothing could dampen my Joy in be
coming Walters wife.
| was rather pleased when he TOLD
me he had few relatives, and tina
they lived in the far west. His fathe'
had passed away, and his mothe,
lived with a niece. would have all tt
myself.
Mother seldom comes East, she dis
likes to travel But | shall tell he
she must come soon and get acquainted
with her new daughter" he told me
Upon our arrival in New York w
went to a small hotel until we-o-
rather, until Walter could select tn
furniture for our apartment. He laugh
ingly told me / wasn't artistic an
that he'd have the "willies" if his hom
wasn't attractive.
Like as not I'd stay away" he sal
lightly.
81 wouldn't care if it was the uglies