The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1922-02-15
cLAlRE's REASON.
CHAPTER &c.

Recently the affair between Clarke
and herself had become more compli
Gated.
Clarke was devoted-his low, long
car was hers almost whenever she
wanted it, but Clarke was not hers to
trot about town with. The pleasant.
genial companion that had lounged in
toy hat shops and made humorous re-
marks about the way the feathers
were put up was a creature of the
past. Clarke no longer leaned back in
the low seat, staring ahead through
clouds of cigarette smoke while she
bought handkerchiefs and gloves and
ribbons and blouses and dozens OF
things women are always shopping for.
Nor was Clarke often available to take
her out for tea and gossip and Gig
arettes and idle hours around tiny
hotel tables.
Some of the people in the theatre
world gossiped as TO reasons for
Clarke's semi-disappearance Claire
was inclined to be hurt by it, then
jealous.
Then she was soothed by finding
that if he was neglecting her more
than half of the time, he was neglect
ing the other girls almost entirely.
She missed much of the back stage
since her promotion to good part,
for she had dressing room to herself
now-it was more sociable if less i'm
pressive, dressing in the big room
with the chorus girls who had small
parts.
But by comparing notes, she found
that within a period of three weeks
she had seen Clarke four times, and
none of the others more than once,
most of them not at all
There were hints-a woman, a job,
he was away on a trip, and he bad
gotten too grand for his old friends.
Clarke's car was conspicuous even
among the fine motors that spun along
the Avenue. Claire saw Clarke with
an exceedingly pretty girl one after
noon, little girl with brown eyes and
brown hair, a pink little mouth and a
sweet smile. 1t was tea time-the car
stopped not at one of the expensive.
garish hotels he took her TO. but at one
of the tiny, ultra-modish restaurants
where the customers pay five prices
for excluding the noise, and where the
head waiter regrets" the tables are
all reserved, unless he knows all about
YOU.
The second time she saw them Claire
Enew what was happening. She found
out about the girl--she was the daugh-
ter of one of the old. fine families of
the city, a ring within the very inne.
ring. a girl of simple tastes and great
culture. who in her simplicity, some
how outdressed every other woman Ill
town, who read good books and liked
early hours, and had q social reputa-
ton in three countries.
Then Clarke confided in her that he
was engaged.
1T is to be announced Christmas
Don't tell anyone yet" he begged.
She had not actually wanted to mar
nv Clarke after she had married LII
Their Perhps there had been a hazy
idea of it after the separation. foi
Claire was easily influenced and hel
flattering friends had told her she
could do it easily.
Once you are rid of the present en-
cumberance," they put it flippantly
You are just throwing yourself away
on nobody when you might realls
marry someone worth while, like
Clarke"
1t was that teasing, naggins, prais
ing coaXing attitude of her FRIENDS
that kept her from him.
eff / go back now, he will make m,
stay off the stage, and | have bee
promised the third principal part il
the next review, she walled to Mrs
Talbot.
mo, he won't. He'll let you play
After all, it's your right. You have a
much right to be an actress, to dance
and sing for a living, or a career, a
some have to be lawyers and other
TO be cooks and housewives"
Mrs. Talbot was only saying wha
Claire had said before.
Luther sees things differently
now" Mrs. Talbot said.
But the real reason why Claire ha'
sent the latest note to Luther was
curious one.
The day before Clarke confided III
news of his engagement. That mean
definitely that Clarke would appea
less and less among the theatre peopl
and would finally drop out entirely, a
his wife's friends absorbed him.
Until he gets tired of her an
wants excitement" Claire's cynical Ii
tie mind told her
But Just because she was furiousl
disappointed at the idea of Clark
marrying another girl. just because
without actually wanting him hersel
she now knew she never could hav
him-she turned in anger against Ii