Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-01-23
CHAPTER XNIN
Getting Euen
UELNtA informed Carol of Nick

"
' indiscrction carefully and swectly
as though she were merely telling Der
friend something that il was necessary
for her to know.
~ suppose some people would have
neglected to say anything" she said
with an artificial little laugh. but l
always think that the wife ought to
know what her husband Is doing and l
am suro you are sensible enough 10
agree with me, Carol"
The news stunned Carol. and she
found II difficult to keep up front
before Nclma.
That Nick should have sought out
thiS girl and taken her TO tea Why.
it vas Impossible that lie cared II be
could do so crude n thing. II lie could
subject her to the ridiculc Of her friends.
At least he might have shown her some
consideration. At least he might have
kept his meetings with this girl hidden
from the curious eyes of the world.
And all the while she played up 10
Eclma. She laughed at the idea OF
there being anything cIandcstine about
Nirk's action.
why shouldn't he take her to tea
! Il he wants TO ; il he mot you anywhere.
he might do the same thing for YOU
NcIma drew herself up stifly. and
her Light blue eyes famed ansrily. ITS
, not quite the same thing, Is it?"
well. perhaps not" Carol con-
ceded. conscious that she had scored.
But Mt that you're not sure it was
this Daisy CastlctOn, are you?'
well. Of course, ] don't know the
girls personality" Vclma returned
and then switched the subject OF con
vcrsation to something else. Now that
she had launched her poisonous shaft
she was content. Carol needn't be so
h Ugh and mighty and put on so many
| airs. sho didn't have so muCh to braG
| about after all.
But after Nelma had Gon". Carol
Gavn way to her feelings. She ragged up
and down tho length Of her bedroom.
hut she did not cry. she was roo angry
for that She wanted Nick hero. she
wanted to lash him with her scorn as
he had dashed her the other night. She
hated him. she wished she had never
married him, for her life was ruined.
And vet when hc finally did come.
Carol forced herself to a scmblanCC Of
sclf-control. and she was like ice when
she met him.
He know at once that something had
happened.
"What is It. Carol. what IS wrong"
he asked quickly. but she did not speak
until she had drawn him into the Ii
brary and closed the door.
| so you've gone back to her she
! accused him suddenly.
NiCk's face registered only amaze
ment, and it was SO genuine that. in
! spite Of herself. Carol was taken abRck.
! Suppose it shouldn't bc true, suppose
! that Nclma had been mistaken and the
| man hadn't been Nick after all "I
don't know what you mean" he
went on.
"vclma Craven was here. she said
SHE snw you ut tea with that girl. Isn't
It true. Nick? II YOU tel me it isn't,
III believe you
30, that" Nick said suddenly. Yes.
did run into Daisy Castleton yCster-
day and gave hor some tea at the
Bcllecairo. but what Of it,
Carol drew back. "What Of it? You
can ask INC that? Haven't you any re-
gard for me at all? II yor had to take
nor TO tea, why couldn't you have
chosen some other place. whero you
wouldn't be seen? Nclma will tell
every ono about il, and how do know
you haven't been seeing her rlgnt
along"
They stared into each Others eyes
and before Nlrk's steady regard. Car
OILS gaze wavcrcd.
yesterday was tho first I've seen
her since before our marriage" Nick
said evenly. "And ! suppose ! took
| her to the BclcClaire because It didn't {
occur to me that had anything to
hide. I'm sorry, though, Carol, and
! 1t won't happen again
"No. you'll probably take her some
whore where you won't be seem" Carol
Hung az him tense and whtc.lippcd.
and then stopped at tho expression Of
Nick's face. II was torn with agony
4 in that moment she saw II before lie
turned away. and she knew with a
sIckcnng sensation around her heart
that hc loved her. that he would never
consciously do anything 70 hurt her.
end that she did not deserve a love so
big rs that.
(TO be COntinuel)