The Little River news., 1922-11-01
They Always Come
 Back
By ELLA SAUNDERS
co, 1929, Western News paper Union)

CsS<~<<SSSS<TS~S<S< <>S<<r<S<<<<SSSSSSJ GO, 1922, Western Newspaper Union) Going to the club, dear?" Little Mrs. Bayfield, smiled very sweetly at her husband as he stood in' the hall, putting on his overcoat, "Yes, got to see. 9, man about a deal" he answered 'neMously. Don't sit up for me, Mary
 -All right, dear. ;. answered his wife.
 Bayfeld strode. out of the apart ment house, scowling. He was little ashamed, too. Did Mary suspect? Of course she was too simple to suspect It was shame. But men and wo1i1en were constituted that way.
 He tried to stir himself to bittsrness against her, refecting that durings tke 12 years of their marriage she shad given him hardly anything that he had expected of her. The sweet, gentle fiancee had developed into the prosaic Housewife. Where was the fire, the charm, the companionship? Surely he was justified And then his friendship with Mrs. Rivers was so very inno- cent.
 They were nothing but friends, and always meant to be. Adela Rivers was separated from her husband, brute who appeared to have MisN3ea her. She had shown him the fHfat outlines of a bruise on her forearm which he had inflicted in a moment of mad jealousy, and Bayfield, had impulsively kissed it. Afterward he had kissed Mrs. Rivers lips. But that had been temporary lapse; they were just friends the best friends in the world
 We'll, why shouldn't a man have women friends ?-Were men and women meant to be mewed up for life ro- gether like animals in cage? If women only understood! But Mary would never understand. He saw the pathetic look on her face when he told her, the tear filled blue eyes * + no, he could never bring himself to tell
 He was shown up into Mrs. Rivers apartment, not many blocks away. The maid ushered him into the living room. Bayfield, was annoyed to hear the sound of a male voice. Mrs. Rivers had caller, youngish man, ten years younger than Rivers, and about her own age. Bayfield, caught sight of himself in the hall mirror as he went in; he saw the lines in his face the threads of grey about his temples, and scowled. He did not like his ap- pearance.
 Mrs. Rivers shook hands with him. She had disconcerting faculty of ap- bearing cold in the presence of others. Bayfield, had never liked that; it showed a superhuman self control. All the time he talked banalities with her he remembered that night when they had vowed eternal friendship, and he had held her in his arms and kissed her.
 It seemed an eternity before the young man took his departure Bay field faced Mrs. Rivers in the living room.
 'Well!' she said.
 He caught her hands. "Adela, I don't like these men coming to see you. You know I'm jealous"
 What have you to offer me, Harry?'
 He did not understand. q thought our friendship" he began.
 "Oh, I know all about that Harry" she answered. But it's little hard for me to have to subsist on the dregs of companionship that you have time to throw me when you are not at. tending to your wife, isn't it?'
 T suppose it is,' Bayfield, muttered.
 You know, Harry, I'm speaking quite frankly now. I like you a good deal better than MT. -Braham, better than almost every one. But a man can't divide his time and attention be- tween two women. And, in fact, we've got to arrive at an understaOaiag. You've got to choose between me and your wife"
 "You mean-% .
 "That's just what l do mean"
 Looking into Adela Rivers blue eyes. Bayfield, felt that he was engag- ing in the struggle of his life. It was only for a moment. Something very cold Illuminated his mind and brain. Quite coldly he took Mrs. Rivers hand again.
 Good bye, Adela."
 Good bye" she answered, equally cold.
 What fools we are! '" muttered Bayfeld, as he let himself into his flat.
 Mary was waiting up for him after all. She came forward My dear," she said, putting her arms around him. My dear"
 Suddenly Bayfield, realized that she had known, or guessed all the time.