Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1923-06-17


vital episodes, nothing note"ofths
had occurred until he was ieaVins
the church with his bride MOI
many minutes later his bride lett MIN
with the passionate declaration tha'
she hoped never to look upon MS race
again!
This happened in front of the Grand
Central station The quarrel. harlng
up like lighted match tossed on
heap of .unconfined explosive let1
Jerome no choice but to Withdraw
hastily from the danger zone. he
was fully convinced that the GONNA
grafton would be short lived and that
on his return from checking the lug
cage he would find his bride amen
able to argument. But in this ne
was mistaken, for he did not ma her
at all.
1t was not the first of such quar-
rels The cause had always been the
same Some would have called II
Alison's temperamental nature; others
might have called II merely Allsons
bad temper.
Like many optimistic lovers. jerome
felt great confidence in the power OF
The marital state to correct these pas
s.onate indulgencies. He argued to
himself that the conditions of en-
raeement were in themselves most
irving TO a volatile temperament
Now, in q singular state or daze'
Jerome went back to the baggage
room, barely in time to save his lug
gage and Alison's from being put
aboard the train. He sent Alison
effects to her fathers house IN
Gramercy Park and had his own put
In a taxi.
Turning the ridiculous situation In
his mind, Jerome was astonished 10
discover a curious sense OF relief.
There had been too many such quar-
rels each abstracting it's tribute OF
tenderness from an emotion which
had been cooling through some weeks.
Jerome did not know just what the
solution might be for such situa-
ton. but he had a vague idea that
there was a legal remedy known as
an annulment which bore about the
same relation to divorce as did be-
trohal TO a wedding He stepped into
the taxi and told the driver to go to
the McAlpin.
As the vehicle became a part OF
the 5th avenue procession, Jerome
leaned back and tried to compose his
mind But at this moment he caught
sight of young woman who less
than an hour before had offered him
subdued congratulations At the
church.
It had been quiet noon wedding,
and this young lady was no doubt
walking home for luncheon.
ssCToP a moment said Jerome to
y the driver, and as the taxi drew
up to the curb. he stepped out
Don't faint. Sylvia" said he. Get
in and ride downtown with me.
"But-but-
Butt into the taxi" said Jerome
"There has been the most awful
mess
Sylvia obeyed in state of trance
then turned and looked at him in dis
may.
"Oh. dear" said she. Il did hope
Won two could manage TO get away
without a fight
1--WE haven't, though" said Jerome.
II suppose that at this moment
Alison is on her way TO apply for an
annulment."
What happened"
Listen and be my judge" said
Jerome. LAS we were about to start
away from the church. q messenger
boy stepped up TO the car and handed
me note. excused myself to
Alison and opened it. There were a
few brief lines and a telegram.
glanced at both and showed them into
my pocket"
without showing them TO Alison
YES"
"She asked to see it?''
NO. She demanded to see 1t. l
told her that it was a business COM
munication which / would rather not
discuss at the moment"
What a beautiful start" murmured
Sylvia. knowing Alison, l can re-
construct the rest. Did you end by
showing her the note"'
No. If had. ] would not be here
at this moment. Moreover. I am not
at all sure but what ] would rather
he here in this taxi with you
u think you had better let me out"
said Sylvia. AN annulment is better
than a divorce with alimony and a
former sweetheart named as CO.
respondent. You could not afford the
alimony and ! could not afford the
scandal. But first tell me what was
I'm the note?"
Not until you tell me your de-
cision. What would you have done?"
Sylvia pondered for moment.
Jerome watched her anIiously. He
had once got nearly as far with
Sylvia as he had with Alison, but cir
cumstances had interfered. Looking
now at her pretty profile and
thoughtful gray eyes with their long
black lashes, he wondered that he had
let them interfere. Poverty and a
social position which each felt under
obligation to maintain had been the
principal factor. Then came the geo.
graphical separation of the Atlantic
ocean, and then-Alison.
Sylvia took a deep breath. Well
she answered slowly. eff I'd gone as
far as Alison. Id have seen /,
through. I'd have carried on IL il
had been bigamy."
''Why?"
The color flooded her face. oh
for lot Of reasons. But I don't think
I'd have stopped to weigh them just
at that particular moment. VIVA,
Alison did is rather like playing q
roulette bet. then snatching it away
after the cropier has said "Rien ne va
plus"
Jerome gave sigh of relief. Pre-
cisely my idea" said he.