The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1922-05-10


married life. She and her husband,
BELLANIY, continued to drift apart
and more openly he INDUCED his APP
petite for promiscuous Irritation and
heavy drinking. Then,
RICHARD DAUBENEY. Lucinda's old
sweetheart, returned Just as Bel
lany was plunging into his latest
affair, this time with
MRS. AMELIE SEVERN. An open
break between Lucinda and Bellany
had been averted by the apparent sim
cerity Of his penitence. In his heart
he felt shame and self-reproaCh.
Go ON WITH TIE STORY.
Why must he be such a fool as ever
- let himself be flattered into for.
getting sheer perfection was TO be
found nowhere If not within the walls
of his own home?
Bending to kiss his WIFE, he put that
Thought behind him. He couldn't af-
ford to dwell upon it. Already hs was
too far committed in this new affair
to withdraw without losing face. But
he would find some way soon TO make
an end of it (thank God! they all had
an end sometime) and this would be
the last-"and after this, never again"
He really meant it this time, he
vowed he did
Rest well, dear? Don't need to ask
that, though, only have to look at you.
Never looked sweeter in your life than
last night, Linda. l was quite jealous
of old Daubeney, monopolizing YOU :"
You needn't have been, Bel, and I
don't think you We're in good condi-
tion to Judge" Bel WINGED, because he
had laid himself open to this. and it
could be taken two ways. neither COM
forting. 1t was actually a relief to
hear Lucinda add; You seemed to be
fairly preoccupied yourself, at the
table"
oh bored to death. assure you.
Ameue's a pretty little thing. amiable
enough, but nobody to talk to-no con-
versation whatever"
Lucinda limited comment 20 a mildly
quizzical look.
Doing anything special today?"
Lucinda shook her head slowly,
watching him with a half-snile lambent
with lazy Intelligence He felt vaguely
uneasy, as who should OF a sudden find
himself hard by the brink Of some
abysmal indiscretion.
Thought we might meet somewhere
for luncheon, If you're lunching out"
I'D love to-" Lucinda put out an
arm deliciously rounded beneath skin
of a texture fairer and finer than any
other Bellamy had ever seen, and took
a morocco-bound engagement book from
her escritoire. Let me see e" She
riffled the leaves. "Oh. yesl I'm hav-
ing Fanny Lontaine to lunch at the
Ritz, with Nelly Guest and Jean Sed-
ley. What a pity. Though nothing
can prevent your coming, too, if you
like"
A dark suspicion knitted Bellamy's
eyebrows. Some actress? Sounds like
It,"
Fanny Lontaine?" Lucinda laughed.
Nothing OF the sort. Fanny was at
school with me-Frances Worth"
"Old man WORTH Bellamy put in
with symptoms OF approval. Terror
Of the Wheat Pit they called him
died not long ago in the odor Of in
iquity, leaving eighty Millions or so.
Your little schoolmate ought TO be fair.
ly we'll fixed"
"I don't know, I'm sure. l believe
it's something 10 do with the will that
brought them over. Fannys father
disliked Harry Lontaine so Fanny had
TO run away to marry him and was
duly communicated by the family.
She's lived IN England ever since; her
husbands an Englishman. Come TO my
luncheon and see her for yourself. Not
q that / think you'd care for Fanny,
though she is pretty 10 death"
"Why not, II you like her so much?'
"She's not the type you seem to find
most attractive. Why IS II, I've often
wondered the women you lose your
head about are almost always q bit
well--w
Bellamy flushed sullenly. It was one
OF his crosses that he seemed never 10
have the right answer ready for Lu'
clnda when she took that line. After
all, there is only one salvation FOR
man married TO n woman cleverer than
himself; 70 do no wrong.
"oh. Il you're going TO rake up an.
Client history"
But Lucinda pursued pensivcly as
n she hadn't heard Il presume you've
got TO run after that sort, Bel, be.
cause they don't know you as well us
! do-can't"
Even slow man may have wit
enough not 20 try 10 answer the un.
answorable. Bellamy got stlffly to his
feet.
"Tn drop in at the Ritz II can make
g."
DO, dear. And Bell" Lucinda
rose lmpulslvoly and ran to him. I'm
sorry. Bel. was 30 oatty Just now.
Only, YOU know, there are some things
ono can't help feeling keeuly. Dearg'
Sho olung 20 him, lifting 20 hls lips
n face tempting beyond all telling. In.
sensibly his temper yielded, and catch.
ing her 10 him. ho kissed her with a
warmth that had long been missing IN
his caresscs.
"I.lnda: you are a witchl'
II wish I were enough OF n
witch at least 20 make you realize no.
body cares for you as do. nor ever
will. Bel: don't 90 yet. There's some.
thing want 20 ask you ."
"yos9" He held her close. smiling
down magnanimously. AS long as she
loved him so. couldn't do without him.
oil was well. he could do pretty much
rs he llkod-within reasonable limits.
OF course. whats on the busy mlud7"
"1ye been wondering II we couldn't
20 away together somewhere this win.
teri" Lucinda OWNED hostility in the
tensing Of the arm around her waist.
Were not really happy here, dear.