Evening star., 1925-12-13
THE ADJUSTER :zz::5 :5:555: fA1Ss[
lone Every Domestic f. of
Husband.

This is DR.. Smith-this is my
wife
A man a little older than her hus-
band, with Il worn. lined, tired face,
and wearing an old suit which was
rather in need of pressing, came for
ward to me her.
Your husband insisted. Mrs. Hem
pie" he said. Il hope I'm not inter
fering with any arrangement of
yours"
"Oh, no" Luela cried quickly. I'm
delighted that you're coming to dln-
ner We're quite alone"
simultaneously she thought of the
party she was going to tonight. and
wondered if this could possibly be
some clumsy trap of Charles to keep
her at home. If it We're. he was stupid
to use such unattractive bait. This
mana weary dullness radiated from
him. from his face, from his heavy,
leisurely voice, even from the 3-year
old shine of his clothes.
Nevertheless she instinctively eX-
cused herself and went into the kitch-
en- to see what was planned for
dinner. Then she went in to kiss
young Chuck good night.
Has he been sood?" she demanded
as he crawled excitedly into her arms.
VERY good" said the governess.
I'VE went for "A long walk over by
Central Park
We'll, aren't You a smart boy
She kissed him ecstatically.
And he put his foot into the foun-
tain. we had to come home in Il
taxi right away and change his little
shoe and stocking
I'm glad YOU did. Here. wait a
minute. chuck" Luella unclasped the
great yellow beads from around her
neck and handed them to him. You
mustn't break mammals beads She
turned To the nurse. He can play
with them. but put them on my
dresser will YOU after he's asleep?'
She felt Il certain compa Ssion for
her son AS she went away-the small
inclosed life he led, that all children
led, except in big families. He was
a dear little boy Except on the days
when she took care of him). His face
was the same shape as hers, and 1t
thrilled her sometimes. and made her
form new resolves about life, when
his little heart beat against her own.
IN HER own pink and lovely bed
room, she confined her attentions
to he. face. which she washed and
then carefully restored. DR.. Smith
didn't seem TO deserve n change of
dress, and Luella found herself oddly
tired, though she had done very little
all day. She returned TO the living
room, and they went in to dinner.
Il like your house, Mrs. Hemple. -
said DR.. Smith. looking at her close
ly; also let me congratulate you on
your fine little boy"
Thanks" she answered: coming
from u doctor, that's nice compli-
ment." She hesitated. do you
specialize in children"
I'm not a specialist at ALL" he said
sravely. I'm about the last of my
kind, l think-a general practitioner. :"
The last in New York. anyhow" D."
remarked Charles. lie had begun rub
bing his face nervously. and Luella
fixed her eyes on DR.. Smith so that
she wouldn't see. But at Charles
next words she looked back at him
sharply.
'In fact" he said unexpectedly.
I've invited DR.. Smith here because
l wanted you to have~a talk with him
tonight
Luela sat up straight in her chair
"a talk with me-"
"Dr. Smiths an old friend of mine,
and I think he can tell YOU a few
things. Luella, that you ought to
know"
"Why-' she tried to laugh. but she
was surprised and annoyed. Il don't
see. exactly, what YOU mean. There's 8
nothing the matter with me. | DON
believe I've ever felt better in my
life
Dr. Smith looked at Charles. ask
ing permission to speak. Charles
nodded. and his hand went up auto
matically to his face.