Evening star., 1928-12-15
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ONE MAN s
WIFE
BY
BARBARA
t.
WEBB
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lcopmiqht, lg2s, By Public Ledgerl

would you wish to go pack?" Mrs
Ogden asked.
mo. oh, no. / love it he-e-my hus-
band, my house-and the beautiful mu-
sic" Yvonne clasped ner hands to-
gether as she spoke.
Mrs. Ogden said good-by warmly
when the time came to go, and Yvonne
found herself asking the stranger to
return another time.
In her limousine Mrs ogden turned
to Miss Watkins. "Oh, nv dear, my
dear. This is wonderful! Such beauty,
such grace, the girl is a marvel! And
that stupid husband of hers wants to
keep her prisoner when she could do
many things if she were educated. Tell
me, what Is he like?"
THE husband?" Miss Watkins leaned
back against the cushions. We'll, he
is very good looking man, intelligent
looking, for that matter. He has been
doing a lot of exploring in South
America for a long time and now he is
identifying his specimens and so on.
Works day and night at It. I think
remember reading that he comes of an
old family, last of his line 1 gather
that he has money, too. But he seems
absolutely determined that his wife
shall remain 'unspoiled' as he calls it."
Mrs. Ogden thought a moment. LET
me see-RoSs, Richard RosS-why. of
course I remember him--I knew his
parents. They died in double tragedy,
wrecked train, when he was Just child.
I saw him once or twice just after the
war, and then he was away for years.
To think of him, the last of the old
ROSES, marrying French peasant girl,
and then refusing to make lady of
her."
"Yvonne is quite sure he is right
about her." Miss Watkins observed.
You'll have a hard time persuading
her to disobedience of her lord and
master"
rs she in love with him?" the older
woman asked.
II rather think so, the way a child
adores the sun or the moon"
Then there is where I will have NV
strongest talking point. if she loves, him
and he neglects her she Will eithefAbe
sullen and want to disobey him or she
will want to get up to his level"
Il hope you are right" observed Miss
Watkins
Mrs. Ogden was a canny woman.
She let a week pass before she saw
quite early after lunch, she drove up
and asked Yvonne to go for a ride.
Yvonne hesitated. 1t was a lovely day.
her work was over, she had practiced
for more than an hour.
Then, IF you will come in I will ask
my husband" she said simply, standing
aside for Mrs. Ogden to enter.
Mrs. Ogden waited, listening to the
faint light tap of Yvonne's shoes I'D the
stairs. At the head of the steps
Yvonne knocked lightly. No answer;
she tapped again.
What is it?" came an irritable voice.
1t is Yvonne," she said softly. IT
ask pardon for disturbing you, but there
Is lady here, Mrs. Ogden, friend of
Miss Watkins, who asks me to go oriv-
ing with her in her automobile. MAY
go? She speaks beautiful French, and
should like to go, Richard"
Go ahead. Don't come asking me
foolish things, Yvonne. 1ol are not
prisoner here"
Yvonne ran down the steps and very
soon was seated in Mrs. Ogden,s car.
watching the country slide by. Mrs.
ogden took her sightseeing that day.
She shrewdly Surmised that Richard
had never thought to show his wife
anything of New York and its historic
spots. She told Yvonne stories of the
early history OF the country. speaking
IN ner low, clear vo.se in perfect French. |
Yvonne listened eargeli2, drinking in
the words, watching the sights avidly. |
To herself she thought, Richard knows |
all these things; how stupso he must |
think me- At the end If the drive
she said naively, Thank you. dear Mrs.
ogden. 1t has been like a day in
school,"
She wanted to tell Richard about the
drive, but he had headache at dinner
and talked little and listened less He
went to his room as soon as the meal
was finished, and Yvonne spent the eve
ming with her friend, the piano.
Inc drive was the beginning of Mrs.
Ogden's campaign. She called fire.
quently for Yvonne after this. Some
times Yvonne would go with her, some-
times they would spend the afternoon
IN the house while Yvonne did her
mending or baking or some ether house.
hold task. Mrs. Ogden soon learned
there was no guile in the eirl. neither
was there any discomfort She thought
Richard quite perfect and hcrself wicked
for ever feeling lonely
one day Mrs. Ogden said: Did
ever tell you, Yvonne that I knew
your husbands family and knew your
husband when he was young man?
/ keep hoping I will see him some day
when am here"
He is SO very busy" Yyonne mur-
INJURED. 1T is quite wonderful that you
knew of him."
His family was an old one. His
mother was beautiful woman and one
OF the best educated women have eyer
known. She adored your husband when
he was little fellow. But both she
and his father were killed in an acct
dent, dying the same day, when Rich
ard was very young. They left a great
deal Of money, and of course every one
thought Richard would make wealthy
marriage to some girl of his own set"
I have met the girl ne might have
married Yvonne said calmly.
Mrs. Ogden started. Indeed? who
is she? had never heard of any ro
nance in Richards life save his mar
riage to you.''
She is Mile. Anne Lovelace." Yyonne
answered. "She is very beautiful and
very talented. She came to see us in
Paris, and she was here once for dinner