Evening star., 1928-12-26

n of his laboratory the day OF
NN his return he felt thrill at
the prospect of close, inter-
esting work He crossed to
his desk, puzzled by the unfamiliar look
It wore Yvonnes picture looked visit
fully at him He picked it up and
looked at it,
Whatever made her do thiS?" he
asked himself. He was touched. III
thank her for it when l go down to
lunch" he thought. But when lunch
time came he was too deeply absorbed
to go down for lunch. and ate his
meal from the tray which Yvonne, as
in times past, placed quietly outside
his door. Evening found him tired,
his mind deep in problems of his work.
AS he cleared a space. making ready to
lay aside his work for the night, his
hand came once again against the
picture.
Queer child" he thought, and then
absent-mindedly opened drawer and
laid the picture inside. 1t bothered
him there on his desk was in the way.
He did not know-nor would he have
cared-that the picture lay directly over
the old one of Anne Lovelace.
Yvonne was in the kitchen when he
went down. He settled himself with
the evening paper. After the meal
Yvonne played for him little and
then. saving she was tired, went to her
room Richard had completely forgot
ten the picture, but Yvonne wept once
again at the thought of his indifference.
For two weeks Richard submerged
himself in his work. Then quite sud-
denly it all went stale. He found him.
self spending hours flddling away at
specimens, accomplishing nothing. He
80 70 iS1n in W0fHTn0nl when
he should have been studying. He felt
restless and i'll at ease in the house.
Finally he was afflicted by one of his
old nervous headaches which drove him
to his doctor.
DR.. Loring went over Richard care
fully. Sound as an apple physically,
the doctor pronounced Trouble must
be somewhere else. Let me think about
you for a while Offhand I'd say you
needed amusement, relaxation, more
than anything else"
Then come over to the house for
dinner tonight and We'll relax afterward
over a game of chess" Richard invited.
Fine. If you can square it with your
wife" said the doctor accepting.
Richard called Yvonne and told her
he was bringing guest for dinner.
Mrs. Ross doesn't speak EngliSh?"
Dr. Loring asked as Richard finished
the conversations.
mo. Yvonne has never learned the
language" Richard said, trifie apollo
getically.
Richards message had come late in
the afternoon. Yvonne scurried around,
adding tidbits to her already perfect
dinner. Although she expected no en-
tertainment for herself during the eve
ming, she was glad of the excitement.
The days since Richards return had
been dreadful. She had sternly re-
pressed any longingS for the stage. She
had written her friend Mrs. Ogden, ask
ing her to forget "Mademoiselle. COM
pletely. Mrs Ogden had read the girls
desire to be left alone for time and
had discreetly refrained from even call
ing. Yvonne had been very lonely. She
had turned to her music again and
could already feel a difference In her
playing, so long neglected.
DR.. Loring came early. Richard shook
cocktails for them all and the doctor.
his eyes fastened on YvonneS beautiful
face. complimented her on the tang of
the canapeS she brought in to ac-
company the cocktails.
HE says you are a wonderful cook,
Yvonne," Richard translated for her.
Yvonne flushed. How she had come
to hate that word cook! Once she
l1dQ 10 GIle VI uGT
ability to please Richards palate To-
day the word seemed almost an insult.
She went hurriedly to the kitchen.
Richard thought her flush was one OF
pleasure
Never miss chance Of showing her
I appreciate her cooking" he said to
DR.. Loring in a self-satisfied manner.
TRY telling her she is beautiful for q
change" the doctor advised dryly
She is a pretty child" Richard
agreed difidently.
At the close of the dinner Dr. Loring
said. Now. Dick. you translate this
word for word for me-Mrs. Ross has
given me a dinner which is almost as
good as she is beautiful"
Richard translated. Yvpnne flushed
again, this time with pleasure. for there
was no mistaking the admiration in the
doctors eyes. She got some sewing
and settled herself in a small chair
in the living room while the two men
got the chesSboard ready and lighted
their after dinner cigars.
What do you do with your evenings,
Dick?" DR.. Loring asked.
Read, go out for a little walk. listen
to Yvonne playing a little for me-"
mo parties, theaters< amusements
and recreations of any kind?"
Well said Richard. II can't go to
those things because Yyonne wouldn't
understand them or enjoy them, and
] don't like to leave her alone. She's
alone all day as it is"
Why can't your wife go with you?"
"She doesn't understand the language
and then she prefers her peasant
dress to our American clothes. She
always attracts attention because of her
costume. and neither of us like that"
Won't dress like the up-to-date
ladies, eh? Shed be knockout If she
did
Richard moved little uneasily. He
was glad Yvonne could make nothing
of the conversation.
THE fact is" he replied. that when
we were married asked her to promise
not to change in any way-clothes;
speech, manners and SO on. 1t prob
ably was bit foolish, but we get along