Evening star., 1926-12-05

~ MIN that underlying sense o1
Il dissatisfaction that had beer
his companion for weeks
past. Something had dropped into
that amazingly satisfactory world
that he had known to take the fine
edge off his enthusiasms, and leave
him with a nagging sense of indef1
mite annoyance. 1t irked him the
more because he found it difficult to
lay a finger on the cause.
1t was with him at the present
time; not in any very consecutive OF
definite form, but then it had never
been very definite. 1t cropped up
only at intervals, interspersing other
thoughts.
He turned into the congested traffic
of the avenue. 'I'll bet hat" he re
f1ected, that Myra has been down
town all the afternoon, and at this
very minute is convincing herself
that she is worked to DEATH"
The picture appealed to a certain
grim sense of humor, and he smiled
TO himself
Oliphant reflected over that. He
didn't want her to be different. He
hadn't married her with any fool
notion that she was a useful mem
ber of society. She was one of its
ornaments; her mission was to be
beautiful: she was frankly and open
ly an extravaganza.
He edged in ahead of the preceding
car and beat the starting signal by
the fraction of second. He heard
the traffic officer shout at him, and,
conscious that the following car hid
any trace, he leaned out, wagged a
derisive finger, and resumed his pace,
feeling the satisfaction that comes
to every free-born citizen at the de-
fiance of authority.
He emerged from the press of traf-
fic and automatically Slackened his
pace, relieved from the ever present
urge to pass some one or something.
He frowned a little as the steady
purr of the engine was interspersed
with a staccato cough. He took pride
in his car, even Dragged about it
mildly at times, as though he had
made it himself. "Bucking like a
cayuse," he commented discontented-
ly. Always did, after Myra had taken
it out The frown deepened to a
scowl. What had been the sense of
buying her a car of her own, IL she
was always running the disposition of
his? He remembered, with a grow
ing sense of irritation, that this was
the first time in a week that he had
been permitted to have his own car.
1t was all right, of course. He didn't
mind driving her car, but he liked
his own.
Suddenly, without apparent reason,
the car developed a better humor and
his scowl disappeared. He swept
round the drive and slowed to a
standstill under his own porte
he reflected, as he mounted the steps.
LIE glanced into the living room.
L rather expecting to find Myra
waiting for him. He remembered that
she had made quite a point of his be-
ing home early, and he had left his
work in rather unfinished state to
make it. She was not there, nor was
she in the library. A maid appeared
as he paused in the doorway. Mrs.
Oliphant told me to let you know that
she would be a little late. Dinner is
to be at half-past T."
Oliphant thanked her and went to
his own room. Well, he was home
early, as he had promised. He smiled
a little sourly. Myra had never been
able to understand that a marital ap-
pointment had binding character.
OF course, he didn't mind. Anyway,
there was plenty of time to dress. He
lit a cigarette. There were one or
two musical things that he had prom
tsed himself he would see. He rather
hoped that Myra had picked on some
thing of the sort. She hadn't said
where she wanted to go when she had
phoned him--just the suggestion that
they should go out somewhere. If he
had a suggestion of where the some.
where was likely to be he would have
known better how to dress. He finally
compromised on a dinner coat. That
was playing it safe.
AS he was tying his tie, with a con-
centrated attention to the task in
hand he heard Myra's voice: Dane,
Dane, dear, Hurry up, You're late"
He came out of his room to find Myra
waiting for him at the head Of the
stair. His eye frightened at the sight
of her: she was SO graceful and girl
ish and little.
Myra raised her face a little per-
funCtorily. and he stopped to kiss her,
looking down into eyes AS blue as
azure. and little mouth with a hint
of willful wistfulness in its upturned
curve. ON a sudden impulse, he picked
her up in his arms.
Dane. Dane, What will the serv-
ants think?"
IT'S little I'd care" he retorted
cheerilv. IF they all stood in line and
said. 'F'e. sir" I'm a caveman.'
AS he let her down she stood for
moment locking up at him, a slight
flsh on her cheeks. You look it,"
$ e admitted. but inside you're just
ahcut as cavemanish as a house cat"
agreed pleasantly. But don't run
away wiz tie idea that you can trust
that house eat too far
She laid her hand on his arm.
"Why, If l stroked you you would
purr." she said, any time"
Try me some time: purring's no
trouble to me. and | don't want to get
out OF practice"
She surveyed him with puzzled
expression. Dane. you're surely not
trying to be subtle?"
He laughed a little shortly. IF
that subtle, I'm a diving Venus"
THEY We're sitting comfortably in
4 the living room after dinner.
when Dane Oliphant looked at his
watch. "Well have to be hopping.
old girl. 1t will have to be the movies.
now: too late for a real show. Where
do vou want TO go?'
She came over and sat on the arm
Of his chair. I'm sorry. Dane, but
you see Ann Warner rang up this aft
ernoon and asked me to fill in at
bridge tonight. There's perfectly
stunning man to he there. She wants
me TO meet him. l knew you wouldn't
mind We can go out any time. can't
we?" She waited to- give him time
,or the ready acquiescence to which
she had grown accustomed. But the
dissatisfaction that had been with
him on his homeward way held him
silent.
Il knew she continued coaxingly,
that you'd be ever so much more
comfortable at home with a book"
Following out the house-cat idea,"
lnn ad