Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1924-01-18
TURN IN THE ROAD
BY EDITH LockErr HosMER

the frayed silk hat that she was try
ing to recover with velvet. She had
been resenting the necessity of this
task even before Rena Crowell had
dropped in for a moment. In every
move Of Rena's she had detected
amusement, even ridicule - not In
words, for there are means Of express
sion more eloquent than mere words
1t had begun when Diana's hand, dis.
colored little from much canning
and houseworl1, had met Rena's white,
manicured hand in clasp that was
mere form. Then Rena had noticed the
frayed silk heap that she must have
remembered as Diana's honeymoon
hat" but Rena had inquired what Dl-
ana was trying to do with 1t.
"Oh, like the shape Diana had
fbbed 80 Tn trying to recover 1t
with velvet"
"Oh, how cleverl" Rena had cooed
the words. but her tone meant, ooh,
how pitifull"
Her hands had moved to her own
expensive hat, which covered her per-
fectly groomed hair.
Pretty little house." REM had COM
mented. Then, daringly, You'll have
room for quite family"
II hope So" biana's reply had been
simple.
We'll one hasn't time for every
thing the guest persisted. "rd hate
to be tied down. Oh, my, I've got TO
run--going to bridge party, you
know"
Rena was gone, faint scent Of her
heavy perfume lingering In the room.
The hat, the dsspIsed, frayed silk
hat, lay In little heap on the floor
ut isn't fair It isn't falrW ex-
claimed Diana, hotly. "why should I
go without thingsf" She picked up the
offending object and bent It as much
out Of shape as she could
Nov, I'll have to have another. I'll
tell Bill I'll have to have a new one"
They had done nothing but scrimp
and save since they had been married
OF course, they were buying their own
home, and doing well with the pay
ments. too but It certainly was hard
to curb her desires for beautiful
things, when she wanted them now
while she was young. She couldn't
understand how Rena and Dick could
have so many things for Dicks salary
could not be very much greater, as he
and Bill worked for the same firm,
though In different branches.
Diana smiled bitter little smile as
she picked up the hat from the floor.
She would put It on just as II was
now and make fun Of It to BIZ. BIZ
would then tell her to go ahead and
buy up the town. Rena was living and
she, DIANA, meant to live, too. From
now ON she was going to hold out her
hand to take things, beg for things
get things
slowly and Bill came in. fIe was not
smiling his usual smlle--he was white
and haggard looking.
"Oh, Blll'-she ran to him-"oh,
Bill you're sick"
He did not speak, only shook his
head then fumbled in his pockets and
handed her letter II was rumpled,
as II he had read II over and over
Dear Sir: We are not pleased with
recent reports from you, and regret
to inform you that after the first Of
the year your services will no longer
be required. as we feel that II will not
be hard to find n man who will rep
resent us better. Our Mr.. Tlldren will
be at your Office in day or two II
there Is anything you wish to inquire
about"
It was signed personally by the
head Of the firm
For a moment, but only for mo-
ment feeling swept over Diana--a
feeling that she had married weak
ling, q failure. She looked at Bill and
saw great tears In his eyes.
ut hurts when you've done your
bestl" His young lips trembled.
Diana watched those tears. She
thought 1t so pltifu to see man weep
She must not let the tears flow. Her
hands-hands that only few mo-
ments before had been ready TO take
reached out now to her husband TO
give Of her love, her faith, her loyalty.
Her arms wound themselves about his
neck and she drew his face down 10
hers.
There must he some mistake" she
suggested. "Oh, Bill, don't worry
You're young, and you've got me-" she
finished gayly
All the years that followed held no
sweeter moment than this.
OF course II was mistake, the mis-
take Of a new clerk at HEADQUARTERS,
who was unfamiliar with the branch
Offices. But "our Mr.. Tllden" soon
made It plain that Dick should have
received that letter. and before he left
he convinced Bill that the firm intend
ed to give him a substantial raise.
II was hard for Bill TO believe at
first, but he went flying home to Diam
with the news. He took her In his
arms, Rugged her till her breath was
gone. He was wondering II Rena
would stand by Dick ns his wife had
stood by him.
Make "A wish, honey" BIZ ex.
claimed, "what do you wantT
Somewhere IN the house was
frayed silk hat, but Diana, glowing
with happiness, never even thought Of
lt-for this was living.
81 want just you" she sighed con
tentedly, for ren understanding Of
values had dawned upon her; and,
after all, she was hardly sorry for the
clerks mistake, because II had brought
her to n turn In the road, and now the
way ahead looked good