Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1919-1980, 1922-06-24
loves s%%%%
IL Masquerade
Too Late
BY Idah MoGlone Gibaon

story OF what Doris Glendeninl
had said.
"'And even then, in my hear
when Harry asked me to begil
all over again-my pride was big
ger than my love, and I said Il
myself that l would not forgiy'
him too quickly. Even then l le
my selfishness speak. would
not tell him that I wanted hin
back. was as cold and sarcastic
as / knew how to be-as / haC
been many times before.
81 told him that he had dis
graced me and humiliated me and
that I would never forgive him
go to your American Beauty
said. You will probably tire
of her sooner than you have OF me.
Go to her or anyone else. 1 am
done with you forever"
"''Doris," he said quietly,
"can you not conceive that some
times curiosity is the greatest
tempter in the world? never
loved the American Beauty, but
have had great curiosity about
her. wanted to make her answer
the invitation she flung at me
from her eye. 1 wanted to crush
the fragrance that she seemed to
tell me was in her smiling mouth
as she bent toward me-fragrance
seemingly just waiting to be
gathered.
" His way of putting it infur-
lated me and l said, do not try
to be literary with me. 1t may be
very poetical for you to describe
your curiosity and your great
in terms of the frag-
rance of flowers-it all might go
with the readers and your sweet
hearts but it means nothing to
me. am your wife and l know
you.
Whatever else I have done,
Harry, l have absolutely trusted
you."
" No." he interrupted, 1t was
not your trust in me. Doris, but
your belief in yourself and your
power to hold me-or rather the
tie of our marriage that
made you so complacent.
Whatever 1t may be, l shall
never be complacent again." 1 re-
oined. "Do you see that 1 could
never trust you in the future?
Why, 1 aW not even sure that the
American Beauty was the first
hat you have been curious
bout"
By the change that rippled |
'ver his face, / knew that I had |
lit upon the truth, and do you
now, Mr.. Davis, that strange as
his may seem to you, had never
lreamed there was another wo-
nan. And guess that Just went |
insane at the idea that Mrs. Ad-
ms was not the only one in his
lfe besides myself.
Then and there l accused him
Z everything of which a woman
ould accuse a man. l said over
nd over the names of all the wo-
len had known who were in the
lightest degree friendly with
i'm. l went back to the women he
ad known before he knew me and
whom he had casually spoken
, me. Why do you know, Mr..
avis, 1 even brought the name of
Iargaret Earle into my TRADE,
nd Of course you know how silly
nat would be.
He stopped me then, however,
nd said, Doris, 1 see it is no use,
nd l do not know that I blame
ou, but whatever may happen in
10 future you must remember
came to you first in good faith.
I am ready to begin all over
gain. I am ready to go way back
, the parting of the ways where +
Oh and 1 began. Surely we loved
lch other then. Have we sent
we so far away from us that we +
innot coax him back? Don't send
70 away, l am afraid, l am afraid
myself" h
He must have had a kind of II
rophetic sense when he said that
least / could see that he had de-
ded upon some course Of action. :
=" That frightened me a little !
Id l asked him what he intended
do.
" oh, Mr.. Davis-if he had just
EN- asked me once more to for
We him l would have done so,
1t instead he said, not looking
me at all, 81 intend to make
much restitution as l can to
aire Adams.
81 tell you honestly that I
we not seen her since long be-
re you filed your petition, and
she does not fail me and 1 am
t sure that she will not, I shall
Y to make up to her for the loss
her reputation"
Even then l did not think that
was in earnest. Even then
uld not bring myself TO ask him
stay, Instead Il said, Surely
u do not intend to give that
man your name. the name that
nave borne?" And he answered
gravely, THAT is exactly what
to do. will marry Claire
ans as soon as you get your
Torce from me and as soon as
, gets hers from her husband,
)vided she wants me to marry