Omaha daily bee., 1922-04-23
The Blakes Meet Their Problem q


Was the thought af the expense which Kept her
from suggesting that he should fellow her for
the weekend,
"How long do you expect 10 slays" he asked
With apparent eafslesshsss,
mot more Than week, You won't mind
that, will yeus"
She remained. however. 10 dsss-hsr ga
planatian being that II she came home in the
middle Of the week she would not see much Of
Bily, anyway With her return, the daily
schedules aud excursions were resumed,
Each night, over their dinner, al home or
abroad she gave her husband an account ~
her experiences. And listening 10 her. with a
sinking heart, three additional months
PASSED. Billy noted the iessehins vitality of her
interest, passionatsy she tried TO conceal this
suddenly one night, at their home dinner
table he stopped her IN the middle OF a SEN
tence In which she was haif.heartediy describ.
ing a ,aunt 10 Greenwich Village.
1T isn't working very Well. Is IL. desrg"
he asked soberly.
She looked AT him eeey. almost with de.
sentiment, Obviously. she had reached the de.
fensiye stage.
II don't know why you say that" she said.
II do everything you suggest"
II know you do Billy conceded gently,
"But that is not the point, The idea back OF
all this II not merely 10 keep you busy. but 10
sva YOU pleasure Are you getting that? Are
you enjoying your autinss7 or are you un-
know"
The sensitive lips he loved auiyered The
charming face lac loved turned from him. Sud
denly. TO his horror. his wife burst into storm
OF tears.
20. Billy" she cried. "you'li despiso me,
! don't blame you. I despise myself seem
80 foolish and ungratefuL But It's people l
want, Billy. not things. I've got TO have some
one TO talk TO. some one I love. It's simply
hideous TO go and go and go. always alone. al
ways seeing others In pairs and groups talking
and laughing. The few women who have
called herc-wiyes of your friends have nothing
In common with me. They can't help me. Send
me back home again for while. I'm sorry.
I'm Inundated. I'm disguised with myself
But I've simply got TO go. think I've got TO
so for long visit. shall not come back Billy
I'll! I've pulled myself together"
Even In the chaos OF his emotions Billy
look In the full meaning OF her words. She had
said Send mel" She had not said Take me-"
She not only desired 10 return 10 her old home
but she wished TO return alone; and apparently
she was not at all sure that she cared to come
back TO him. Possibly the whole thing had
been mistake. Possibly she did not love him.
Possibly she had never loved him. Possibly,
quite probably. she leaving him for all
time. Under the shock OF these reflections he
answered almost curtly.
"All right. dear" he said. Start tomor-
row IL you like and plan to make real visit.
Stay month or Mrs. Bailey can keep the
place clean, and I'll take my meals out"
"You-you couldn't go with me- I suppose?"
The suggestion came too late He shook his
head.
mo. not just now. I'm sorry. I'll come
and get you, though, when you're ready to re-
turn"
Perhaps" she was speaking almost tmidly,
''you could come on for weekend while I'm
there"
mo. am afraid not" Poor Billy was re-
fiecting that since she SO ready to leave
him she would not miss him much. Its the
beginning of our busy season, you know" he
went on more naturally. Il can't ask for time
off,for few weeks. But you'll be happy. You'll
have your mother and Elsie"
There was bitterness in his tone, but she
looked at him quickly
Il want you, too," she said.
know" He threw down his napkin, rose,
and. crossing to her, kissed her. "Unfortu-
nately you can't have us all at the same time so
l guess you'll have to alternate" he added,
lightly. First mother and Elsie, then Billy.
Then mother and Elsie and the old home and
all the neighbors. l was pretty stupid not to
realize that was sentencing you to solitary con-
hnement when I brought you here. but we must
chair and sat down again close beside her
Ruth" he said, underlining his Words
theres one thing l want you to understand
II could make a living in Boydenville would
take you back there for good. You believe that
don't you?"
Eyes" The word was almost inaudible.
'But can't. It's a one-horse town-great
to live in, but no good to work in. So'-he
drew in his breath-"as it's clear that you can't
stand the life here long at time. it's equally
clear that you and must agree to compromise
I suppose 1t will end by your spending your
summers in Boydenville with your mother and
your winters here with me-if you are willing
to give me that much time." he ended quickly
Since the thing was coming. he had decided,
ho might as we'll anticipate 1t.
She sprang to her feet "Tm beast" she
cried Historically. "But can't help it,"
you're not beast, and there's nothing to
blame yourself for. Don't let the thing get on
your conscience or on your nerves. Go home,
have ripping time with your family and your
old friends and let me know when you are
ready to come back
For what seemed long time she stood
looking down at him in silence When she spoke
her words revealed the character of her re-
flections
IT ought not to CO." she said slowly, "blt
I've got to. 1 think I'll have collapse II
don't. haven't told you, and I hope you
haven't suspected, but I've not slept more than
an hour or two night for weeks. I've just
stared into the darkness and dreaded the day."
80 it's as bad as that! didn't know
Billy rose too, nd studied her somberly,
Wonno~