Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-07-05
The Evening Story
The Slave Of the Ring.


rvs face when he stopped the young
husband who had tried to evade him.
'How's the marriage bells and all?
Have you discovered that you're lust
slave OF the ring yet?"
"Oh, marriage Is all right" Harold
was patiently trying for a man-of-th
world air, but sulkineSs filtered through
his cool tone and his eyes looked
haunted.
Nothing to it except responsibility.
In the old days man got his share,
but now the girls are only fluff. Just
nun, tell you, and there's no such,
thing as a real home. Did you get
that den you used to talk about, Har-
old? A snug little place with a big
pipe-rack and rug that wouldn't
you could take your old friends and sit
smoking till dawn if you liked?"
Harold felt that the query was In
execrable taste. All the gang knew that,
but he needn't try to make trol In
another mans home. He would sade
this questioning. Going to the re-
| union at Sally's?"
Jerry was still bitter about Daphne.
"Surest thing you know. Sally knows
the old crowd, too. Are you?"
Harold nodded. Jane is as keen as
I am to CO."
And the den?" persisted Jerry, "rd
like to see it. You used to talk so
much about 1t. Take me out to din
ner with you tonight, will you?"
Harolds jaw frightened. mo.
haven't my den yet. We've had lot of
expenses and I haven't got around to
it. I'll ask you out some other night.
Jerry. To tell the truth, it might not
be convenient tonight" he finished,
deep embarrassment clouding his tone.
Jerry grinned. IT knew 1t. Those
who talk loudest about being master
shrink the quickest. dare you to take
me. You look to me like a man with
secret"
Harold wilted. cit isn't my secret"
he confessed, really glad Of a chance
of unburdening himself. It's Jane.
Jane has something on her mind. I
writes to her mother too often and she
tried to extract promise from me
To-"
ITO what?" urged Jerry, vast inter-
est on his face.
ITO stay downtown to dinner to-
night. What do you make of that? I
thought brides always cried when a
man dined elsewhere"
Wen Just pop out and find out"
what's going on. Suspect anything?"
Harold professed himself uncertain;
but his face was still grim when the
two men ran up the steps of the honey
moon house.
A large lady in print apron and q
dissatisfied expression was marching
through the hall as they entered. why,
Harold, Jane didn't expect you. There
isn't much for dinner" she added as
her cool eyes fell upon the sef-invited
guest.
Jerry grinned. So this was marriage.
Almost he failed to regret Daphine's
family who had Spurned him.
Jane fitted downstairs at that In
slant. SmudgeS adorned her unpow-
dered countenance and there was mys-
terry in her manner. Surprise, Harold,
mother has come to visit us. I'm so
glad. Hello, Jerry I'm relieved that
mother is here. We had planned to
finish the stew, but know she's going
to toss up something nice for u.s."
The large lady Unexpectedly beamed.
There's a thick steak in the ice box
that will fill up you boys, but first
come on, folks.
Jane was already tugging at her
husbands. ST told you not to come
home" she was prattling, but it's all
right"
All rl2nC, Jerry LOlQ IunSeII 81"
lently, "au right for a man to come to
his own home"
Urged by the two women, they had
reached a room at the east which
looked over the rose garden and which
had an outside entrance.
Like it, Harold? Oh, say you do. Is
that the right kind of a desk? I got
the plainest and most mannish
could find"
The den was perfect. Leather and
black oak and not bit of feminine
fluff anywhere. Harold stared In q
beatific silence, then he yelped: Jane,
you darling Just what I've wanted"
She nestled in the crook Of his arm,
brazenly pulling it about the bungalow
apron she still wore Its been so hard
to keep it all secret. wanted to
get the book shelves painted before you
saw them and you seemed to stay home
so much. have been frightfully busy
getting everything done, so mother
came and helped me all day. She has
to go back tonight, though"
IT won't let her 60" cried Harold.
His mother-in-law grinned. II
might be induced to stay" she con-
ceded, we've been pretty busy with
the dress and all"
"You see," explained Jane as her
mother hustled on to wrestle with the
broiled steak. "I just couldn't bear to
buy that imported frock we saw; the
price was ridiculous, so I used the
money for the den and mother and I
made over my silver lace for the reunion
dinner. It looks scrumptious and there
are tiny pink roses on it and every
thin"
Jerry overheard In fact, he listened.
Later, after the meal, he said. This
slave of the ring stuff is all wet, I'm
going to make up with Daphne"