Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-08-02
THE EVENING STORY

reply to the loud peal of the bell.
I Come right in, folkS!" he beamed.
I'm call the missus She'll sure be one
delighted baby" The words died in
his throat as he caught vengeful eye
through the partly opened bedroom
door. Go right in and make yourself
at home he added, his high spirits
quenched.
Who on earth" began Nettie as
! he hurried into the bedroom.
ITS a surprise" he said, staring at
| her loose hair and nearly completed
preparations for the night. What pos
sessed you to undress at this time? It
isn't o'clock yet and there are 10
people out there waiting to celebrate
our wedding day"
How did they know it," Nettie's
pink lips were tight.
Because invited them. planned,
in my ignorance of your unpleasant dis
position, to give you happy time. All
the refreshments"
IT won't fix a thing! You invited
them, now entertain them. The idea
My hair not curled and my eyes red
from crying!" blaZed Nettie, and her
husband caught the swift flame OF
anger.
"Just as you like" he said coldly.
Go to bed, do. I'm tired OF your
ways"
Nettie, sulking behind the closed
Goor, was amazed to find that her alb
sence was not marring the mirth of the
party. She had no idea how Ed had
explained her Seclusion, but bursts OF
laughter, songs and even dancing an
nounced that apparently no one missed
her. Suddenly she decided that she
would not be barred out from her own
party and she began to dress rapidly,
busting powder about her red eyes and
! fluffing out her fine yellow hair. Sc
il up and put her hand on the door
knob.
There was a sudden, aStounded
sound. and Nettie's blue eyes widened
The door was locked from the outside
She shook it and even hammered on it.
with no result
She heard the caterer come and a
short time later the guests went into
her pretty dining room, where she
! could hear remarks about the delicious
ices and salads. Ed had evidently gone
ding anniversary. There had beer
nothing left for Nettie to do but en-.
tertain her guests. Ed had provided
| the refreshments and the service ane
the company, but his wife had chosen
to sulk in her room cllurlishly.
During the endless hours that fol.
lowed Nettie communed with her owr
soul, and the communing was bitter
She saw herself with an unflatterins
clarity of vision-saw how patient &c
had been with her silly whins anc
winnings, saw how he had planned thi'
evening to amuse her. Then hel
thoughts reverted to the locked door
He must have been in one of his white
RACES to have done SO drastic a thing
Nettle suddenly broke into a wild storm
OF tears. He would never forgive he
now. She had thrown away her happi
ness. But through her grief ran
queer thread of elation-Ed was not tn,
easy-going man she had thought him
He was strong-he would brook nothin,
cnce he was thoroughly aroused.
Ed inserted the key noisily in tn
door when the last guest had gone.
Ed, will you ever forgive meg" sob
bed small voice. II don't know wha
has possessed me lately, but I SCENE,
to want something that /" Sh
broke off, awed by the sternness Of tn
plain, thin face.
Have you found out what yo
want?" he demanded. "Because-"
Yes quavered Nettie. II guess
wanted-a-"
well, what?' prodded Ed, amazed a
the magical change in her.
She eyed him doubtfully. "A-mas
ter" she wept.
Something sang within Eds spar
frame his heart felt warm and relieved
guess you've found one; don't let m
oversleep in the morning"
It'll set the alarm clock" responds
/ | fI,a <iori1a Neffie