Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-01-21
THE EVENING STORY

business trip for two weeks and when
he came back he found nothing as he
had left 1t.
Jessie, In one grand fling, had ex-
changed her household stuff at a tre-
mendous loss TO herself for an en-
tire new outfit. She now had wal
nut where she had had mahogany.
Nothing was left unchanged In the
whole house Even the paper in two
or three rooms had been altered, for
money can override impossibilities and
produce haste and instant concession.
Jessie was out riding In her sixth
new car. which she drove herself when
Tom returned. She came home TO
find him walking about, his hands in
his pockets. his face more tired and
haggard than ever He had been look
ing for his favorite nook to rest in.
the chair he had grown accustomed to,
his cigar stand and his little rack of
beloved books. Nothing OF these was
to be found. And he was tired and
wanted to rest.
We'll. Jess" he said quietly, Il see
you've been at 1t again"
Jessie. looking much exhilarated and
astonishingly chic in a new blue linen
of just the right shade, sank into the
luxurious depths OF the new divan and
smiled at her husband.
Isn't 1t charming?" she said Don't
you like 1t. Tom?"
ITS different all right. I thought
I'd got into the wrong house Where
Is my little old set OF Dickens?"
Jessie laughed
"Oh, my dearl Nobody reads Dick
ems nowadays. put that set in the
attic and got you a nice new edition
OF Shaw. 1t will improve your mind
wonderfully. you'll find, to read
Shaw"
Tom took two turns over the rug
absently noting. as was apparent, the
rich sickness OF the pile. Then he
came and sat down by his wife. not
touching her. but far apart. Imme-
diately she moved close to him and
tucked her hand into his He drew his
hand away and they looked at each
other, she with establishment, he with
cold disfavor
II wonder" he said. what next
you'll want In the way of changer"
Jessie lifted her eyebrows.
We'll. Mrs. Atkinson offered me her
home the other day at a bargain. They
are going away. Really. I've done all
l can to this house. but the Atkinson
house"-her eyes glistened. TIL, IN
spiration was fairly making her forget
those severe eyes Of Tom's-"the At
klnson house would permit OF no end
Of development"
In other words, change" Tom said.
We'll. YOU may have the Atkinson
house, my dear. ! will settle II upon
you ''
Tom" She sensed something In
credible. -
Il. too, desire a change" Tom said
YEARLY. Il have consulted a lawyer"
"A lawyer"
I want a change from you" As
she stared at him. pale to the lips. he
went on forcibly: Did 1t never occur
10 you that such a thing might be
possible? Many men tire OF the wives
OF their youth. You are charming. but
100 dynamic. At my age a man de-
sires the permanent. the tried and
true. In other words. the static. Nv
mat 1 mean he wants the same chair
IN the same place. the same books the
same privilege of rest when he is worn
our IN body and mind and soul
he paused. His face expressed al,
ne had tried to convey and more Re
was near to the breaking point.
There was the sound Of A sob les
sic, the hard. the bright. WAS CRYING
as sne had never cried before, She
hung herself into his arms nsssio,,- :
ateiy contrite. with a great. s,Idds,
understanding OF an appalling change