Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1922-11-30
THE WIFE CHEATER
A Men Romance I
BY HAZEL DEYO BACHELOR

Joan Stockbridge marries Norman
Wayne in spite Of many warnings from
her friends. Norman is the kind Of
man who has never been known to care !
for one woman more than a few weeks !
at a time, and they have been married I
only a short time when Joan is given
cause for jealousy by Alice Wilson, who
does her best to fascinate Norman. At
the country club dance, Norman and
Alice disappear, leaving Joan with
Herbert Livingston, who at one time
wanted to marry her.
CHAPTER XIII
A Ruse That Failed
v I'M HUNTER asked me to dance, and be-
| cause pride forced me to make an effort
~ to hide my feelings, accepted, although
there was little pleasure for me in entering
the lighted ballroom.
Jim made conversation but I answered in
monosyllables, and finally, with the privilege
of an old friend, he swung me through
doorway and out into sheltered corner Of
the veranda, where there were no people
about
Joan, you're not worrying about Norm,
are you?" he asked bluntly. You're so I'M
usually quiet
I made some evasive retort. Not even to
good old Jim would I admit the truth, even
though he suspected it, and then Herbert
sought me out, and I realized with dull
pang that another dance had started.
Lets go for walk through the grounds"
Herbert suggested. Are you cold? Shall I
take your coat?"
I shook my head, and we went together
down the steps and out into the scented
night.
We were very quiet, and then suddenly as
we rounded a corner two figures sprang out
of the darkness that confronted us. They
were standing very close together, but 1t was
too dark to see any more than that I knew
in minute that they were Norman and
Alice, and I would have turned around and
beaten hasty retreat but it was too late;
they had seen us.
Norman greeted us with easy assurance,
and Alice said lightly, "Here's your wife on
your trail, Norm; you mustn't forget that
pyou re married"
Norman ignored her remark and coming
up to me drew my hand through his arm
Come on, Joan, this is our Dance" he said
softly, bending his head down close to mine.
Instantly my heart leaped and l was almost
happy again, but Herbert, the staid, the con-
ventional, suddenly interfered.
Sorry, Norman, but this is my dance. I
refuse to allow you to cut i'm
Norman laughed. Wen leave it to the
lady" he said, lightly and there was a pos
sess1ve note in his voice. How sure he was
Of me! He expected me to come to him the
minute he beckoned; he had no doubt at all
OF his power over me-
Alice was watching us, haIf-smile on her
lips, and that half-sneering smile forced me
I to quick decision.
Gently withdrew my arm from Norman's
and turned to Herbert. I even managed to
force coquettish little laugh as / looked up
into his face
'They actually believe we came out here
| TO hunt them up, Herbert" I said gayly:
come on, let's finish our walk" And we
| strolled nonchaantly off.
1t was almost more than could bear this
walking away and leaving Alice and Norman
alone together, but when Herbert and r
| finally returned to the clubhouse Norman
was dancing with Margaret, and Alice with
Jim. FOR the rest of the evening there was
no more disappearing, but Alice wore look
| OF triumph on her face and once or twice
| intercepted look between Norman and her
that was not intended for the eyes Of anv
one else.
what understanding had they arrived at
ana what future humiliation would I have
10 pear! Those were the questions that
haunted me. l could not help seeing that
my little ruse with Herbert had failed. If T
mad expected to make Norman iealous had
come lar short of the mark for he was not
IN the least chastened. In addition to that
my hands were tied, for I was determined
not to make the mistake of asserting NV
| rights IN any way. There would be no call
ing TO accounts when we reached home that
| evening, and suddenly I wondered If after
an wouldn't have been happier married tn
! Herbert eu ~
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