The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-07-19

beY WIT u
 mentioned place that was not very well known.
 It was the first time of my life. Jim, that l had made the mistake of not taking the woman I wanted to talk to to the largest and best known restaurant in town. A man IS fool to go with woman not his wife to one that will make him look as though he were trying to hide something under any circumstances.
 That day friend of my wife,s Saw Claire Adams and myself there and the train was laid for the explo- sion which followed. You know about that.
 met Mrs. Adams outside the ooor and then, at a table under an open window through which was waited all the sounds and fra srances of spring, we proceeded to get acquainted.
 found that she was just a .ovely animal with hardly more brain and certainly no more sense of her duty to herself or any one else than a cat. Indeed, in her little sleek, purrine way she reminded me of d cat-one who liked to bask in the warmth of the grate fire, who was inexpressibIy dainty and who would softly and warmly cling to you as long s she was comfortable.
 But once in while you would get glimpse of something which made. you understand that she had claws under the velvety softness of her little paws which could be used upon occasion.
 At that time, however, I thought of them only as the necessary thorns upon an American Beauty rose. At the end of an hour she bored me almof toa extinction However, as she took no interest in anything except compliments and fiattery. and although the spell of her beauty was overpowering. had feeling through 1t all that I wished l could get away.
 Do you remember, Jim, he play in which Robert Hi1lard portrays the fool? If you do, you will re- member it was called "A Fool There Was It was taken. you know, from kipling's poem.
 When l saw the play some years ago | thought the physical fascina- tion of the woman was exaggerated, and l told myself that no man of brains could become the tool of a feminine personality who had no other attraction except overpower- ing beauty
 Now. Jim, I know that picture of the fool was all too true. for al- though my American Beauty was comparatively harmless insofar AS she did not have any campirish ideas or motives in regard to me alone; her whole philosophy of life was to have what she called good time. And good time In her curriculum meant only one thing--and that was to have a man make fast and furious love to her.
 T think I filled the bill during the next two weeks, Jim. and yet I swear to you that woman never touched the real me.
 >It was a peculiar situation, but I do not think now that it was unique. At the time. however, I really believed that I was living kind of life no other man had ever lived.
 Here was I--bound by the most binding bond--habit and conven- tional ideas of responsibility to my wife. Then in the utmost secret f%~~C VI my WAS 4hdi b dA VI and last and least there was Claire -the American beauty-who. not withstanding my Knowledge of how foolish 1t all was. drew me to her self day after day.
 Each day I saw the American beauty I mentally cursed myself for allowing my better self to be bored with so little mentality and spiritual charm for the sake of feasting my eyes upon the most perfect. physi- cally-beautiful woman l have. ever known.
 Each day I said, Never again only to call her rp the first thing after I got to my office-so anxious was I to make arrangements for motor ride or a luncheon.
 Each day I could not wait until l looked upon her face. and each day was just as anxious to leave her.
 T was in HelPs hole, Jim. clear up to my neck. I grew thin and ner- vous. One day during conference with the heads of my staff over an important change in the policy of the magazine my thoughts went stray and almost without effort I was able, after the conference. to write out my reaction to Claire and Margaret in blank verse"
 Copyright, John F. Dille Co.,. .i ..l...