Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1923-10-24
UNDERSTUDIES
By JANE GORDON
%, 1928. Western Newspaper Union.)


cheeks flushed in the happy excite
hiring, content.
What had happened to Danish the
charm of years? How could he await
coldly, now, her reception of his alb
rupt confession. Garrett had told her.
his face immovable in apparent indif-
ference, that he no longer cared.
1t was the little girl from Barkers
who had wrought the change in his
| feelings.
Garrett was waiting the last pro-
motion in his business. He knew now
that he would await no such oppor-
tunity in pressing his suit with Dolly.
She must take him as he was. His
visions of the pretty, disturbingly
modern Miss Gilmore stirred his emo
tons as he sat watching Janet, with
her disillusion
IF there is nothing to be said be-
tween us but 'good-by,'n Janet said,
'let us say that good-by' quickly
"Good-by," he echoed hurriedly, and
left her.
Janet drew out the little tea table
methodically, and began laying the
things for her evening meal Garrett
had so often partaken of that meal
with her that it seemed odd not to
place a plate for him.
A knock at the door happily dis
turbed her reverie. 1t was only Peter.
Peter, who had come so patiently
! when she might have a little time left
4 from CARROTS visits, to spare to him.
| Peter, so kindly advising, so unseIfish
| in devotion. Peter had asked her to
marry him.
! Garrett dismissed uncomfortable
/ scruples as he and Dolly settled to-
! gether in the new home. Dolly had ex-
cellent taste in furnishingS-Dolly
was charmingly ingenious in her de
mands. 1t was disappointing to return
at evening, weary from increasing la
Dor necessary to his growing expense,
to house empty in it's luxury-with
no wife to greet him, and the solitary
meal set before him by tired and
| sulky maid
Mrs. DENLY said was to have this
day off, was the maids usual griev-
ance, "and she forgot againgan wen.
off herself" Dolly usually forgot.
| Dolly was still the admired butterfly
of his former admiration.
He was heartsick and weary with
things as they were. The great empty
rooms Knocked him, the telephone
summoned as though urging his haste
dolly: I'm at the Rensaler Din
| ner party. Couldn't call you earlier,
for we were at the matinee. Leave
the door unattached. Goodnight, Gar
rett." He stood before the instrument;
the receiver had clicked before he
| might reply.
How the image of Janet rose fresh
in its old place in his heart Garrett
could not know. He only knew that
he was driving feverishly, eagerly to-
ward the comfort of Janet's cozy
home. Janet would be there. And
this Incompatible gift he had thrown
away for a brighter face-a flaunt of
gayety. Janet opened the door to Gar
| rett, and in her honesty cried out soft
ly her surprise. 81 came to YOU" he
bfundered, ''to try to find a touch of
home, Janet. I have had no home
but yours" She was not shocked by
his condolences; she listened, the old
| dear frOwn of concern wrinkling her
smooth brow. Nor was she aware of
triumph in his return She looked
into the face which had, for years.
filled her dreams, and was saddened
to see lines of trouble there. She
/ played for him, as he begged her to,
| then sent him home with a promise to
call upon his wife,
Janet calling upon Dolly! He could
| see no benefit to either in the ac-
! quaintance. Janet talked her plan
over with Peter. She had a habit of
! confiding in Peter, and knew that Gar
| rett'S perplexities were safe in his
| keeping. Then, too, she wanted the
mans perspective in her plan Gear
| rett's wife may be a restless, thought
! less young thing" she told Peter, "and
| he may not realize her need of the
| pleasures of youth. If l can coax her
! to like me, Peter, L shall teach her
| home-making as Garrett likes and
| needs it." To her own mirror Janet
| said wistfully, "Those qualities which
! Garrett loved in me will be doubly
| dear in those added qualities he loved
in his wife-which failed in giving.'
So Janet labored and-won. 1t was
strangely sweet revenge-this kin.
ding of home interest in the estranged
wife's heart. Then, self-effaced, Janet
/ returned TO her silent home.
Garrett is happy in finding Dolly
in that beautiful CHEEKY home to well
come him." she told Peter. "She real
ly enjoys banking the flowers. play
ing for him. wearing the dresses he
likes. And he does not forget her
youth-so also, they go out together"