San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1925-10-16

The Making Of
a Husband
a nm Lisle's N e ~
I. Phase of jim and
Anne's Marital %
Adventure
BY ANN Isle
BY ANN Isle
Chapter 90

is this really The Bircbes? An
here! Am ! safe? Is that Vol,
Anne! I'm here-safe," cried Jeapi,
In broken voice, while tears streame,
down he cheeks and she WINGED n,
tne hot salt burned against her frozcI
face. '' i'o~ei
Where did you blow in FROM
asked in a frenzy of relief Mt tb;,
companionship.
Il was driving home. I must hav,
lost my way" said Jeanie. 1T
seemed hours. / kept going around
IN circles: The woods are so white
and still"
did you walk? Did you have t.
desert the carp asked. seeing the
condition Of her clothes and the clay
and snow on her thin little pumps.
81 got stuck" Jcanie said. 81
couldn't get it out of the frozen ru,
] Numbered into"
rs there so much snow already that
the paths are covcred?" I asked as
led Jcanie into my room and began
getting warm wooden things out of the
bureau while she started to remove
her snowy clothes.
"It's the wind" she gaspcd, ITS So
terrific it sweeps you just where il
wants to take you-as if you were
dry leaves. And then it lifts while
clouds of white before you-likc big
waves. breaking over you. You can't
see your way, and when you try to feel
it, the wind won't let> you 90 where
you want. oh, Anne, I'm so glad I'm
here"
"I'll get you a hot drink" 7 said.
"You can tell me about it later.
There's boiling water. You shall have
a cup of tea in a jiffy. And dinner
will be ready in an hour
81 don't want any tea" exclaimed
Jeanie. 1--WE had plenty"
You've been at Nicholas Pcrry's!'
I asked.
"Of course. went at 5 to sit for
nv picture. The light was wonderful.
The air was lovely and still. We
worked till long after 4. Then We had
tea. left just after the first flakes
began In fall. There was detour. ]
didn't like it, so | turned back. think
ing I'd start over and go around to the
state road even IL it is out of the way.
But I couldn't get back to the main
line here. | must have kept taking
wrong turnings after | got mixed up
by the dctour. got deeper and deep
err into little wood roads-logginR
roads, I think. Ii was cold and got
darker and darker, and was so
afraid. I got out and began to run
and here | am"
N"And quite safe ! said. Perhaps
you'd better. take hot bath. There's
plenty OF time before dinner
Il guess ] will" Jeanie agreed with
unusual docility. NO need inquir.
ing for jim. He can't make it. IT
he gets to the village. he'll telephone.
But no taxi will try 10 bring hin
through"
aYou don't seem worried about your
car" / said at n venture, and be
cause | didn't want to tell jeanne
that Jim had planned to stay away
from home even before the storm
made his absence inevitable.
Don't remind me of my troubles, "
Jeanne said with a somewhat over
stressed lightncss. IF you're sue
YOU don't need me to help you with
the dinner, III go take that bath yon
spoke Of. ] think it would be very
comforting. I'm frozen to the mar
row."
go ahead" I agreed.
But ] wondered il Jeanie were as
conscious that ] was keeping some
thing from her as I was that she had
something she desired to conceal from
Inc.
By the time Jeanne had finished
her bath and had dressed herself in
the warm undertakings | had left out
for her. dinner was ready to serve.
I had heapcd plate with food AMI
had put it in a covered dish tuck,"i
away in the oven. ] was determined
that il Tarasoy got through the storm
in suite Of its increasing velocity
as indeed I expected him to do-hc
should find hot food and n welcome
waiting for him. And as, my last
vestig- OF fear was conquered W
Jennic's companionship, I was plan
ming TO make IN the bed in the maids
room with clean linen and offer. Tar.
asov the hospitality now felt he de-
served.
Dinners ready whenever you. ar1,"
called. after making the arranS.
ments for Tarasov's comfort.
$50 ahead. BE with you in two
minutes" Jeanic answered.
As I came into the living roob,.
bearing the vegetables in my hands.
Ieanic appeared. She had not re-.
turned TO her own clothes, nor slipped
into the serviccabIe and warm quilted
bath robe ! had laid out for ner.
Instcnd, she was wearing tho flame
colored negligee in which she hal
been dressed the night Nicholas Perry
stumbled into The Birchcs on the
neighborly crrand which had begun his
acquaintance with us--and his inter
est in Jeanic.
Thought might as well be
pleasant looking Wis avis she said.
Then she added with n ysun:
"Oh, wait n minute, Anne. I really
must telephone Pat. II he calls UP
Dreamwold and there is no word from
me he'll have fit. OF course, I'm
sure he'll never make the place on oa
night like this. Still, Id just as soon
establish my nlibi."
"The wires arc down" said.
"Then there is no alibi for jeanne"
she laughed.
But there was tense seriousness
behind her mirth. And she had used
that odd word twice. Why should
Jeanne be talking about "alibis?'
Why? | moistened my lips. summoned
my courage and prepared to ask