The St. Mary banner., 1922-06-10

him. What reception! What treat
ment when he had come such dis.
tance for the purpose of trying to
make up with his wife! He had half
a mind to call the whole thing off and
90 back to his home without making
any further attempt at a reconcile
alton.
Then again the thought of the lone
Illness of the past year, Of his really
great love for the wife who had never
seemed prettier than now swept over
him. He threw back his shoulders
"Of course she couldn't be anything
! but distant and cold with all those
people around her." he told himself.
1T will be different tomorrow-Tm
| sure 1t Will"
1t was different on the following day,
| but not In the manner Howard
thought.
At breakfast the next morning as
Howard was casually giancing through
his paper, his eyes suddenly focused in
horror at a picture on the theatrical
page. The picture was a photo taken
in a studio. 1t showed a man eagerly
shaking hands with a brilliantly
dressed beautiful actress. The wom-
ans face was cold and distant. Over
the picture was this caption: "Promi-
nent Midwestern Business Man Seeks
Reconciliation With Wife Who Is Be
coming Famous in the Moves" The
woman was his wife, the man was him
self Now he knew the meaning OF
! that Photographic flash while he was
at the studio.
Howard went fighting mad at seeing
this picture and reading the accom-
panying paragraphs giving intimate de-
tails Of his life.
"Of course, Martha was in on It,"
he told himself. "She's crazy for pub
licity. No doubt she put up that pub
licity manager to put the thing across.
It's rotten thing to do and I'm done
with her forever!"
Howard packed his gripaat once, de-
termined to return to his home forth
with. But to his disgust, there was
no train until late in the afternoon
anu tlllS ulduc IL ucCcSSdIy loi HILL
to put in the day in New York.
Howard tramped back and forth on
Fifth avenue and Broadway, trying to
find interest in the glowing show win
dows and the never-ending crowds.
But he couldn't get his mind off the
dismal end of his expedition.
At last Howard turned his steps to-
ward the hotel, as it was nearing train
time. Not once did he think of going
back to the studio or even Of calling
up his wife,
| His heart was exceedingly heavy as
he opened the door to his room.
Then, as he stepped into the room,
he gave a startled glance toward the
window. There, seated in an arm
chair, was his wife!
"How did you get in here?" Why
did they let you in?' demanded
Howard.
Il showed them that picture in
the paper" said Martha. 'They
couldn't refuse me them
Howard stepped IN the room and
closed the door behind him.
THAT was fine piece of publicity!"
he answered, 81 never thought"
His wife rushed to him.
"Oh, don't, don'tv' she cried 81
didn't know it was going to happen.
1t was awful! Horrid! I've had that
publicity manager fired. There are
mighty few film press agents who
would do a thing like that. And, oh,
Howard"
Her eyes melted. She held her arms
out to him. Suddenly Howard found
himself holding her tightly in his arms.
Really" whispered Martha. "that
horrid picture was a good thing"
"Why?" Howard demanded.
Because" said Martha, "when you
first came l really wanted to make up,
but thought I'd be cold and distant
and make you suffer a while. Then,
when that picture @me out 1 knew
you'd never look me up again, so l
rushed right over here. Perhaps we
wouldn't have made up except for that
picture"
I'm glad-mighty glad" said How
ard. II was afraid You know you
said you'd left me for good"
II know" smiled Martha. But
I've resigned my job. I'm going home
with you"
And she snuggled closer in his arms
and kissed him.