South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1922-05-08
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yUOuIS JOSEPH NANCRA-< ~
between while

the most incorrigIble, between whites
the most contrIte
His fits Of penitence were terribly
real when she caught him misbe-
havinC or was that too. merely
part Of the game with Bel Was il
just a conventional sambit 90 make
believe repentance and promise
faithfully never, never 70 be naughty
agsin2
she discovered that the car was
already at a standstiil Immersed in
reverie. she hadn't noticed the turn
of from the avenue.
AS always her home EMBODIED her
In its comfortable atmosphere OF Sc
curity from. every assault Of advers-
ity by virtue OF the solid wealth up
on which il was founded. that for
midable whole into which two great
fortunes had been fused by her mar
riage with Bellamy
In the library she fingered a long
minute, purposely searching the rich
glooms her mind coddled by the
feeling Of ownership which this her
home inspired.
Twenty-six. mistress OF riches. she
had never needed 10 compute. idle
but for an ordered round OF stale
diversions not yet a mother
She went slowly up to her rooms.
Pensively giving herself into the
hands OF her maid. she stood OPP
posite long mirror a shade Of
concern tinged the regard she bent
upon that charming counterfeit, her
interest grew meticulous as she OBJ
eerved that slender and subtly fash
Toned body emerge from its silken
sheaths Where we're the signs Of
age. of fading charm What was il
Bel saw in other women and failed
TO see in her? What could they give
him that she had not 70 give? Was
her real rival only mans Unsuitable
appetite for some new thing
Supple and young and fair, and
sighted
Her heart, too, she searched But
there was nothing wanting there
that the most exacting husband and
lover could require She still loved
Bel
But love and beauty. it seemed
were not enough
Bellamy bruce began the day
frugally with grapefruit. the head
lines Of the Herald. and coffee.
As a man Of strong principles. he
, made II a rule never TO drink before
six in the evening.
At thirty-fve or something less,
Bellamy was beginning 10 notice that
even a scw drinks tended 70 play
the deuce with ones memory.
It's this stuff they give you nova
days '-Tneaning since the blight Of
prohibition had fastened upon these
United States-'you can't trust il,
don't care who gives IL to you"
His graver concern this morning
was with the tone Of his complexion
and the look of his eyes.
To his belief the one proved 10 be
clear and of good color, the other
betrayed ravages Of dissipation only
in a hint of heaviness. Already =
strong constitution, hardened by an
athletic history and Injured TO abuse,
was beginning to react to restora-
tive measures taken Immediately
after waking, deep breathing. a
steaming hot bath. an icy needle
shower, a rundown.
He Strengthened his shoulders. lift
ed his chin a trihe, and went TO pay
his matutinal addresses to Lucinda,
hoping she wouldn't notice anything
and If she did, would be enough Of
a sportswOman TO let it pass without
comment
He found Lucinda seated on a
Chaise-lOunge in her boudoir. run
ming through her mornings mail by
way of preparation for the daily
half hour with her secretary which
ii demanded Posed with unfailing
grace in a negligee scarcely more
than a sketch in lace and ribbon.
with the light from the windows
seemingly drawn 10 a focus by hair
abundant. always rebellious. and the
hue OF ripe cOrn-silk, she seemed as
pretty, as fair and fragile as a pOr-
celain fgurine. Bellamy needed only
to see her thus to know A stab OF
shame and self reproach
Continued In Our Next Issue)