Evening star., 1925-05-14

~
MRS. STANTON'S few weeks along
the more northeriy coast length
ened into az many months. She wrote
once or twice to Alice Bancroft. and
received pleasantly grateful replies.
At the time Of the second letter, Alice
appeared to be absorbed in a study
Of the costume and household customs
current IN France at the time Of the
Chiidren's Crusade. Indeed. her In
terest had so sprishtly a quality that
her appearance, when the opportunity
finally came to make an evening call
at the Pasadena Hotel. was rather
disturbing. She was thinner, and wore
look Of strain about the blue eyes.
II seem to be always bringing my
I've been so bevildered. Things were
never like this before. It's-well
Horace"
He isn't ill?" '...
"No-not now. No. in health he's
better. There was one attack-intense
pain in his eyes-he had to be kept In
a dark room for days; I thought he
was going blind. But still, IT
ton that can't understand at all
He has been very unhappy about It.
For q time he seemed crushed. But
lately he has been little more his. old
self. He won't talk"
why don't you ask him? Straight
out. Usually 1t Is best to be frank
and human about things"
Alice's lids fiuttered. We've never
questioned each other. And he did
was a predicament, and asked me to
have faith in him. had to accept
that. But I can't tell you what I've
been living through. The worry and
dread. The consciousness that there
is something definite and unpleasant
between US! A difYiculty! Every day
we grow more silent and evasive
And he won't cut his hair or trim his
beard. He looks awful. He goes
away early every morning and doesn't
come home until nearly 6 at night.
Sometimes he isn't In when get
home. He even stays out, evenings.
Once he didn't come in until O'Clock
in the morning. I was frightened
OF course, you know-I get pretty con-
fused trying to think this out--but do
you suppose any great change ever
comes to man at Horace's time OF
life-in character, mean? I've heard
that men little younger"
'Of course. in the forties and fifties
Stanton paused, and for the moment
her eyes gazed past Alice's hat, and
her mouth set rather firmly. -s~-
DO you think it possible that he
well, that Influences might have come
Unexpectedly into his life. that would
make him act-well, not quite wisely?
or course, I can't Imagine that
it could be-welI. women. =.
Sometimes we have to face these
h IN
phere here, especially near Hollywood.
does undermine the moral tone Of the
most surprising people. " a :-
"Oh, my dear. no! Not Horace Ban.
croft! How could you ever think such
thing?"
Welt seems dreadful-but I've
worried. And lately there has been
an odor. a perfume"
Not about his4 s4cIothing?"
Alice nodded unhappiiy: And the
night he was out SO late. he had
may as well telt-it; all now-he had
powder on the shoulder Of his coat. /
found 1t there In the morning. A
pinkish powder! simply haven't
known what to think IT'S pretty
hard to sleep at night My thoughts
just go round. It's perfectly bewilder-
ing" s---,-..4.,,.-,<z
ning?" :; x = 80: =, :
"Oh, no, That's another. thing:
He's gone away. 1t will be week
Monday. It's the third time, but this
is the longest. No address. He might
die. and wouldn't know. Mrs. Stan
ton. he's II. He needs me. You see,
I'm only so, and strong"
But you say he's in better health
lately"
Since that dreadful eye trouble.
yes
A look OF shrewd understanding was
creeping into Mrs. Stanton's clear
eyes.
MY dear" she said very kindly,
laying haQd -on the thin arm beside
her. III wager somebody knows ex-
actly where he is-apd. where you are,
in case Of any trouble. 4
"well, of codrse-God.'', said Alice
simply -
"idon'; ::aean Cd. remarked Mrs.
/. s .aAtuAs :. ~ :. s.