The Glenwood post., 1924-03-13


you"
For q moment be, too. looked into
the blaze.
Beautiful. Driftwood, eh1 Rather
hard to get isn't it?"
She smiled.
"Yes-but then, this is our anniver-
sary."
THAT'S right. That's right. sup
pose the dinners waiting7"
1t was useless question-asked
merely for the sound Of 1t. John knew
that dinner was ready. 1t always was
ready. The home Of Mr.. and Mrs.
John Darlington was one in which
nothing ever was awry. He went on:
Eyes, of course. it's waiting. Just a
moment, Sweetheart, until tidy up a
bit and I'll be with you. Only a mo-
ment@"
He hurried up the stairs, while again
the gaze Of Medaine Darlington sought
the flames, the gaze Of one whose mind
ts peopled with anguish. But in a mo-
ment more, 1t had vanished. John was
beside her, bowing In mock overpolite-
ness, and offering his arm in an ex-
travagant invitation to the table.
Many congratulations today" he
said as they seated themselves. -Four
or five Of the boys dropped in to tell
me their troubles, and incidentally to
say how much they envied us. Strange
what a few little numbers will do,
isn't itr
Marvellous" Her self-possession
had returned; with him before her she
was again the usual Medaine Caring
ton. "This is the tenth year, without
quarrel"
John laughed.
"And our idea may spread Bentley's
married you know-just last week.
Came into the office today. Told him
all about our system, and how It's
worked out. All that you need for
happiness, Bent said, is to learn to
count to a hundred Then went on
and told how 1t had worked with us,
how we simply schooled ourselves into
the habit of. counting to hundred be-
fore we said an unklnd word, how, If
one Of US was nervous or irritable, It
became the duty of the other to hold
in, and the wonderful result that we've
attained. After all, dearest, it's all
very simple, isn't it?"
Extremely So" For just an instant
her eyes clouded-only to brighten
again. I've never seen prettier roses
than the ones you sent today, John"
That's what you're always good
enough to say. By the way, this roast
Is done to a turn. I never tasted bet
ter"
The meal progressed to a perfect
conclusion-as 1t always did. Once
more they were before the driftwood
fame. She took his hand in hers.
AFTER all, it's remarkable that two
persons could go through ten years Of
married life without quarrel, isn't it,
JohnT
He nodded Then:
"Yes-in a way. Then again, all that
is necessary is common sense"
IT suppose so. But haven't there
been times when have tried you ter
ribly, when I've made you so angry
that you couldn't hold your temper?"
mo, not once. dearest. One simply
couldn't lose his temper with you"
'There-you mustn't say that. Be
Sides the main point, I suppose, is the
| fact that It's been accomplished. Ten
years of married life without even a
quarreli"
She rose then, and moved slowly
into the shadows Again her hands
knfffod Ar
as Of acute pain came into her eyes,
John did not see-he was gazing into
the flames and watching the colorings
as they came and went.
'"Ten years without a quarrel! It's
something to be proud Of, something to
boast about to your friends and"
Eyes, I suppose So"
There was something in her tone
which caused him to look up quickly,
to glance toward her as though she
had uttered a dissertation. The flick
ering Of the fireplace caught her fea-
lures, to display them as singularly
pale, singularly drawn and indicative
Of suffering. He half rose-but she
motioned him back.
"Please sit there. John, Tve-some-
thing to tell you"
"Why, dearestf You seem So"
"Don't-please." She gripped the
back Of chair as though for support.
T-want to say It AZ quickly as pos
sible. I'm going away, John" The
voice was faint.
He was silent for q moment. At
last:
well, II you feel that you should-
of course, It you'd be better from q
financial point If you waited a while,
but II you really want to"
IT don't mean that way, John. I'm
not coming back"
"Not-" He stared at her in nom
plussed fashion for long time before
he rose. "Why Medaine-i I DON'T"
II didn't think you'd understand"