Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1926-06-11
AWAKENED
THE MAN in
HIM
By F. B. VAN ALLEN
10 by Short Story Pub. Coz

kNl had her good qualities and
oftentimes their predominant
ing influence cleared her character
from any haze of irrectltude. She was
a wealthy specimen OF the mushroom
genera, her husband, In the twenty-five
years of their yoked existence, having
risen from small clerkship to the
position Of controlling partner In a
large manufacturing firm. In such cir
cumstances she maintained the house
hold par excellence In the little village
of CrOssley, and became at the same
time the dominant strain in the ma
tronly chorus Of the village societies.
Because she went about with Cecil
Travers was no criterion from which
to judge evilly. Travers was nothing
but boy, In his teens yet, while Mrs.
Carr was passing on toward the half
century age post.
She was indlscreet Even her hus-
band, big, blum happy T. ]. Carr, ad-
mltted that He rather liked It. It
gave a touch of superiority to conven-
ton that gratifled his rancor toward
society. For T. Judson despised all
the functions and formalities of fash
Ionable people.
He hadn't been used to 1t for thirty
years. When he broke in at last,
largely through the maneuvers Of his
wife, 1t seemed too late to learn new
tricks. Mrs. 7. J. grasped them, how
ever. She liked society, especially
young people. She liked the male sex,
especially Travers.
The boy came from an aristocratic
family, and after the usual pampered
life, he was sent to Yalard college at
Crossley.
His acquaintance with Mrs. Carr
dated from a garden party at the
Brice's. He never analysed his liking
for her, such is not a young mans
way, but he plunged into series of
social eruptions at her heels and the
town talked
The woman was very attractive and
she liked a mans homage. More sea-
soned men read her character easily,
but Cecil was unsophlsticated to de-
gree. She led him on, with what mo-
tive the Grundians failed to say
though the general opinion prevailed
that 1t was for no good to the boy
Mrs. Carr loved her husband. Busl.
ness kept him away for weeks at q
time. The woman had to be amused
Travers pleased her. Travers got the
post. Such was the logic Of her
friends. The rare days had come and
the gardens at High Crest, the Carr
place, were a galaxy of roses, the va
riOus shades and hues meeting In n
riot Of color about an artistic sun-dal.
A woman half reclined against its
marble base, the soft turf affording a
cool couch for the graceful form.
1t was evening and she awaited some
one. Her face was penslve, yet the
line Of resolution about the chin
seemed newborn and Of sturdy char
acter. Her husband had just left her
to be gone month. She had let him
go without emotion, the excitement Of
great love In her heart. She had
wanted Judson to get away quickly I;
now that he was gone she almost
wished him back. The line OF resolu-
ton paled.
A step on the gravel The line came
back, its imprint deeper than before
Cecil" her voice was caresslng, 81
knew that you would come"
His beardless face, foreshadowed
with a coming manliness, frightened.
Didn't l promise"
"Yes." She arose as he held out
his hand. No pressure was there
This youth was but a youth and the
divine spark had not, as yet, touched
his heart.
They sat upon bench close by.
mir. Carr has just left for Chica-
CO." She pronounced the words heavi-
ly.
Travers looked away. "Gone for
longr'
"a month or more. Business, bust
ness, how 1t takes mans time. They
get so wrapped up In 1t, they never
think of wife or children. Carr has
never had any children" her voice was
soft, almost reverent, ito care for and
he might look after me a little bit
more"
do you need III" innocently.
every woman does. We haven't
the strength of men. Sometimes"
He laughed "That depends upon
what kind Of strength you mean. Now
as far as moral power is concerned"
Poor boy, he had been examining ethics
for exam" and was prepared to wax
eloquent, but she Interrupted.
THAT'S just 1t. Moral strength,
moral courage. do things that know
are wrong then obllterate the memory
Of them In excuses. That's cowardly."
you're no coward" He said 1t I'M
expectedly-tO both.
She looked at him suddenly and
smiled "What dear boy you are 7"
He blushed little. Was It embar-
rassment or did he notice deeper
tone, a warmer note, almost Of passion
in the woman's voice?
Look at me-" she went on. "DO
you think I am happy"
Travers stumbled. "Er-er-yes."
"Well, I'm not My husband leaves
me. DO I know how he passes his
time? Why shouldn't /" she stopped.
Her voice was beginning to take a
queer hold on Travers. He noticed
that two pearly drops were forming In
the corner Of her eyes.
Her eyes For the first time he be-
gan to take notice of her features