Evening star., 1923-03-29

her mind the impression that If life
had dealt him a cruel blow and passed
MIN by he had emerged from the or
oeai inner creature than he had gone
INTO IL. Cherry adored him--ile. her
Nelther had known how much before
thelT calamity had performed this
act OF revelation for them
Perhaps as the days went on it was
this newly revived affection which
almose without their being aware OF,
II. caused a feeling of alienation from
the TWO other members of the family
For Alicia Mohun spent most of her
time in her own bedroom at those
mysterious rites before the mirror
which she now performed more dill
gently than ever. 1t was astonishing
the workings of Alicias mind. how
little her mothers face showed the
scars OF her misfortune. In the morn
ings, sometimes. she looked older than
her forty-one years. hut then Cherry
remembered that she had always done
that 1t was in the afternoon when
she emerged from her room for a
drive with Mrs. Haywood or with
John Chichester tfOr curlously enough
he still continued his attentions to
Cherry's mother). that she looked as
ravishingly pretty as ever. There was
then no wrinkle to be seen upon the
smooth enamel, which she tinted now
so artfully that one could almost
swear the color came and went, Civ
ing her small regular features an
aspect Of undying youth. There were
faint shadows at her eyes, OF course.
but plaintive ones. slightly tinged
with melancholy. as though SORROW
had. touched her dellcately for fear
OF marring so perfect a thing.
Jim Mohun watched his wife with
steadily appraising eyes as she passed
perfunctorily through his room COM
ing and going. There was no doubt
in Cherry's mind that he felt sorry for
her, but his pity had none of the
qualities Of self-depreciation which
Alicia might have expected from it.
Something had happened to the soul OF
her husband. which seemed intaneibly
to put him beyond her reach. In help
weakness. power She couldn't under
stand. With genius for the positive
uses of prosperity she was helpless in
nisfortune-whfch was negative and
intangible. And while she secretly
resented the change in their fortunes.
which had robbed her Of her initiative,
she acquiesced in the wishes that he
expressed. aware that, II personally
distasteful to her, they were not un-
reasonable. She had been startled at
ernoon when he had told her that they
must move uptown, shocked into si-
lence when he had told her that her
jewels must be sold. They were her
JEWELS, Oh course, Dut tEen MOnU n
had given them to her. It was an i'll,
q dying man. perhaps. who made the
request. She had agreed because. as
he put 1t to her. there was nothing
else to be done, but the sense Of her
martyrdom was no less great because
Of the necessity for 1t.
Even had he been Indifferent to the
subtle influences about him. Jim Mo-
hun could not be unaware of the
change in their relations. At times,
In mind. in spirit, husband and wife
were as far apart as though they had
never known each other. Then It was
that Cherry saw the rueful smile
twist Jim Mohun's lips. Had they
ever known each other. Each had al
ways been so busy at his own pur-
SUITS! There had never been a great
little amenities Of married life He
had been proud of her beauty and her
skill. she of his industry and grow
ing power. But now he had fallen.
dragging her down, and she had had
few words Of comfort for him-only
tears. regrets. and. at the worst Of
her nerve attacks, recrimination. It
was little wonder that her beauty, the
tricks Of which he knew, had less
meaning for him now, her indi6er-
ence, So IL was that the quality Of
his pity was tempered with bitter
ness, which crop Into his look and
tone. --
To be continued tomborrew.