The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-03-14
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CHAPTER xxx

NOW as to your allowance" said " in livelier tones, cheered by her seem. ing acceptance of what I had explained much on the first of the month," had been spending. Ut should be ample"
 That's your belief. Of course, ] have a right to my own opinion"
 '"Then you do not consider 1t enough I
 "Assuredly not But as 1 am de- pendent I suppose shall have to take what you choose to give me. It's un- fortunate that wives are in that po- siti"n, isn't it?"
 Her coolness infuriatsd me.
 Tt is all I shall give you," I declared with heat, land you are to order no more theatre boxes without consulting me. Two or three evenings of pleasure week is my limit. 1 am through gO- ing out every night, am through throw ing away money 1 work hard for, pay ing ridiculous cover charges, being rob bed for food and being forced by cir cumstances to over-tip walters"
 Its your privilege to remain at home whenever you choose. l claim the same right to go or stay-as l choose.
 She had spoken very quietly, yet her voice was hard, racuous. She rose and laid down her book.
 "If you have quite finished I will so and dress" she said and left me sitting with the papers in my hand, a sense of being some way intellectual in my mind.
 l wished she had found fault, even that she had quarreled with me, or wept. Her cold acceptance of my plans--or was it acceptance?-upset me. With a sigh l put the papers in my pocket and gave myself over to breeding.
 About half an hour later the maid came to me and said:
 Mrs. Henderson is to have guests for dinner. She asked me to tell you"
 looked at the clock. I must hurry if were to be dressed when they came.
 My depression lifted somewhat when Garth Holden arrived. it vanished all most entirely when Diana Lowell was announced. Then came Ned Church and Jessie.
 However did you know we had noth- ing to do tonight, Natalie?" Ned asked. It's risky waiting until the eleventh hour to ask popular people like us to dinner"
 II was delighted" Diana broke in. "I had expected to spend the evening alone and was hating myself most cor dially. could hardly believe my good fortune when the phone rang at half past five and I got your invitation"
 This was the way Natalie had shown rebellion. Alter our talk, my talk rather, she had immediately invited guests for dinner. It spoke well for her competent housekeeping, but at the ttrraA IA1 fnn It was to be a struggle of wits, not of words.
 As well as I could I played my part. I had no intention of taking our friends into my confidence either by actions or words. She was gayer, more vivacious than usual, flirted more openly with Ned than ever I had seen her, and her flushed cheeks and bright eyes made her more than usually lovely.
 Diana, seated next to me, she said:
 Natalie is irresistible tonight"
 Isn't she always?"
 "Yes-but tonight she is more so. How did Mrs. Brooks come to have so beautiful a daughter? I've met the brother when l was calling on Natalie, and he's very like the mother. You don't mind if criticize your relations,
 Not bit. as long as you make my wife beautiful"
 Something tells, me you aren't quite happy tonight?' she went on in her half-laughing, half-serious way. Are youY'
 What question box you are, Diana. Do l have to answer that?"
 "No-it is already answered. Is it
 l laughed. No, it's not Ned. Did you think the green-eyed monster held me in thralll"
 Il wouldn't blame you. What a flirt Natalie is! One forgives her because