San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1925-09-27

the time.) She gave him a swift
glance-the color had tinged her
cheeks and temples-then spoke
rapidly in French. Charlton was
in Paris; he and Lady Pinter and
two other friends were staying at
the Chatham. Tina told them:
"Oh, we're enjoying ourselves
after fashion," ~
81 must see you, Tina" said
Charlton. matter of great ur-
gency. III send Lady Pinter along
to take care of Humphrey if you
fear he'll get lost while we're
away"
whats the glad news?". she
asked.
"Wait, my child. Look out for
Lady Pinter this evening""
Tina replaced the receiver on the
hook and looked across at Hum
phrey; he was still reading the
newspaper. She felt rather guilty;
it did seem like taking advantage
of his lowly beginning to speak in
French. The mind plays fanciful
tricks; in that instant her thoughts
rushed back to the simple scene
outside the church in which they
were married-the rough-hewn
friends who had known him in his
boyhood; the simply dressed
mother who seemed to doubt that
her dad" could ever find a wife
worthy of him.
"Friends?" he inquired casu-
ally.
"She lied-she felt justified in
lying lest he should be wounded by
her detection.
"Only the stupid people at Lu-
cindes" (where she had made
purchase earlier in the day.
"Shall we have tea up here?"
'Td love it." he said. He rose
from his chair as though he would
touch the bell; he halted and look
ed down at her as she settled her.
self near the window. 81 wonder
if you'd like a delicious little spe-
cialty that l used to enjoy in
'21? Don't ask me the name of
it'll wager the head waiter re-
members it, for he introduced me
to it." He picked up the service
phone, and to Tins's amazement, to
her shame, he spoke to the head
waiter-and spoke in flawless
French. ~.
He replaced the receiver and
picked up his newspaper again as
though nothing out of the ordinary
had happened. Suddenly he felt
her hand resting on his shoulder;
she had risen quietly and come, to
the side of his chair. He looked
up in surprise; her eyes were
moist; her lips twitched. Instantly
he clasped her hand.
"Tina, DEAR" he said.
She bit at her neither lip.
"You make me feel so cheap"
she said brokenly. 81 didn't know
that you spoke the language"
81 do" he said, affecting cheer
fulness, "but why should that up
set you. l know little Italian,
too, and can get along fairly well
in German, so if the knowledge is
going to hurt you"
you heard me speak TOTO
Charlton just now" she said, "and
] told you that it was tradesman.
You must have know that ! was
telling a deliberate falsehood."
His face had clouded for a sec
ond, but he forced a smile as he
said:
81 didn't know that Charlton was
in Paris. My dear, why should /
resent your speaking in French to
your friends? Is he alone?"
mo, Lady Pinter and some
friends of hers are there"
would you like to have them
to dinner?"
"Would you mind?"
mot in the slightest"
"Charlton-Charlton asked if
he could see me-alone, on some
matter of urgency. There! I'm
not going to keep anything from
you. Perhaps it's about Dennis"
dennis has got that appoint
ment," he told her. "Lord Purton
advised me-"
"How splendid! 1t may be
something else he wishes to see me
about"
"He could see you here, Tina
in this room. I'll entertain his
friends downstairs while you dis
cuss the business, whatever it may
be-"
"Alone?" she said. 'You would
have no objection ?"
He looked her squarely in the
face.
Tina" he said, 'let us under
stand each other now. That's a
phrase you employed in the begin
ming, you'll remember. When
proposed to you it was because /
loved you; because | love you. |
trust you; because ! trust you I
feel certain that you will respect
my love. Don't finch from me
I'm not going to indulge senti-
ment. When ! married you l re-
allied that / had no right to ex-
pect you to give up all your
friends. ] believe you to be lit