San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1925-11-19
The Making Of
a Husband
Hmm Lisle's N EN-
Phase of Jim and
Hmme's Marital
:. Adventure
Chapter 121.
By ANN Isle

~Pu 20 bring jeanne" told Mich
BIAS Perry at last in answer to his
taunting accusation that start lot
of things I'm not willing to see
through. "And then I'll stay right
here and 90 through the whole thing
with you two"
~Good," be said, with evident re-
lief and satisfaction.
AZ I went down the hall to the
stairway, however, had bad mo-
ment. From both Nicholas Perry and
Jeanne had the facts in their odd
little "interlude." I had not told
either how innocent the thoughts of
the other had been. had not re-
vealed to either how welcome each
ones revelation would be to the other.
l felt they ought to face the situation
with q lot of miserable forebodings,
and come upon the peaceful facts
when they had done something to earn
release. But hadn't counted on hay
ing to sit in on the conference.
Now this is where you pay, Anne
my girl" told myself sternly, with
a bit of a laugh at the thought of
what had let myself in for, and how
Jeanie and Mr.. Perry would turn on
me when each of them discovered that
both of them had given me full conf
dence as to the nothingness of the
seeming situation.
Ny thoughts were terminated by
Jeanne herself. She came out of the
studio suddenly, with an angry swish
to her skirts: and she started up the
stairs toward me with a nervous
flounce, which translated itself into
speech when she got to the top step
and found me there.
Men make me tired, the whole kit
and caboodle of them," she said tartly.
IF You could Sc them sitting there
like a pack of hungry wolves and gaz.
ing at Arlettc as if she were the only
edible thing left to famine starved
Sounds very poetic" I said with
an attempt to ignore it. and deter
mination not to let jeanne see that
j cared how Jim looks at lovely little
Arlette. "But I've been sent to fetch
you, 90 / won't let you sidetrack me.
Nicholas Perry wants to Sc you"
what does he want? What did
the doctor say? Win he ever paint
again? Has ne been asking for me?
You must come with me-" Jeanne de-
claimed all in one long drawn
breath.
Il will. ] said. sitting laugh as
5eanie added:
'Never mind what Stub Perry say.
You stand by. He may think he wants
TO be alone with me. He may think
he's eager for heroics. But he really
will be glad-later-that you were
there. And-Pat teleDhoned. He will
come through tonight if he can"
Here" i asked. ITO the Birches?
jeanne nodded. This gave me my ex-
cuse and my needed outlet Of laughter
And as she turned to me with puzzled
eyes 1 allayed all suspicion by saying
at seems so funny having the
Birches turn into a sort of Wayside
Inn. And it's n great lark. If Pat
comes and something happens to make
it possible for that adorable DIR. Willis
10 stay overnight ] shall have more
fun"
"You may have TO sleep on the floor
10 earn your fun" Jeanie said dryly.
But moment later she added almost
pleadingly:
Come on! Let's get it over. I want
to-break il to Stub-that even il Pat
doesn't relieve it. it's Pat 1 love-"
A roar from Nicholas Perry's room
Interrupted us.
He heard me-" Jeanie cried COVER
Ing away. 81 didn't mean to shout 1t
like that. can't go in and face him.
I've dealt him a death blow"
She turned and started to run back
toward the stairs. seized her wrist.
you've got to pay'for such colossal
vanity and conceit," / said sternly.
Come on and face the music. Now
you've got to"
Nicholas Perry's door flung open
suddenly. He stood on the threshold,
grinning foolishly.
''Did / hear right?" he asked.
''He's delirious." protested Jeanie.
I'VE must get him back to bed"
II grew impatient for your coming"
Nicholas Perry said grandiloquently.
81 heard your voice and i couldh'
wait"
He didn't hear what I said" quay.
cred Jeanie in half whisper. 1--WE
still got to tell him. And / can't-say
it again"
saw the muscles Of Nicholas Per-
~ y Jaw (WHICH.
HE did heart I told myself. And
now he's going to have the fun of
making jeanne drag out her confession
that she was only flirting with him to
pass the time. He's so relieved because
he doesn't have to tell her that he
never really cared. that he isn't think
ing how like lady-cad she feels to
have to tell man who was injured
for her sake that she doesn't love him
at ALL"
Get back to bed, I ordered sud
denl~ "And cut out the heroics. You
two have played at love making-have
initiated the real feelings real folks
have. And now that yon're going TO
show yourselves up to each other"
He doesn't love me-" Jeanie cried
incredulously.
"She has forgiven Pat?' Nichols
Perry said in n tone of protest.
For a moment wounded vanity held
them. And then with one accord they
both turned on me nccusingly as they
cried in actual chorus:
"You knew IL all alongT'
What Was I IN ouSuerS