Evening star., 1933-03-26

with Ralph Robert Shortwell had come
to pass
Shortwell had not been his patient;
he had been under treatment with a
colleague Of his. Even this was not
necessarily the truth; perhaps Short
well had not come to Kissingen to
take the cure, but for an entirely diff
ferent purpose. For Sybils sake? Had
the two known each other before? Did
ball the preceding Winter? Thomas had
no idea. Perhaps she had known him
before they were married; had her love
for five years been another's?
Thomas had no idea. He really knew
nothing about Sybil. 1t had never oc-
CURED to him to search suspiciously
into her life or her thoughts. He had
tried to make life as pleasant as pos
slble for her, but he had given no more
thought to his wife or his marriage
than to his body, so long as none of
its functions were disturbed.
ShortweQ had caused no disturbance
of function. He had indeed, paid Sybil
special attentions-but he had not been
the only one. Every Summer there
were a certain number of people taking
the cure who fell in love with the doc
tors pretty wife; every Summer flowers
tions for motor tours AS husband of
a strikingly beautiful woman, one gets
used to that sort Of thing. Shortwell
had not been more importunate than
the others. He liked to come for after
dinner coffee on Sundays to play
bridge; twice he had gone to dances
with Sybl and once they had driven
to Oberhof to play golf There was
nothing extraordinary about all that.
Thomas leaped up and ran across
into Sybil's room. He tore open the
wardrobe. All her things were there
her frocks, her lingerie; she had taken
along only what was absolutely neces-
sary for two days. Well, Shortwell was
rich; IN Berlin or at Deauville he would
buy her the best of the best. Why
should she bother about the lingerie
and the dresses of provincial woman
Of moderate means?
Then Thomas broke open Sybil's
writing desk. There was not a line
from Shortwell.
Thomas was habitually an order
loving man. But he acted like vandal
In his neat and friendly boudoir. He
opened all the cupboards and drawers,
dragged out everything. He threw
things on the floor. He stamped upon
them with his feet and finally he
snatched the vase with the red roses
and smashed it on the floor with all
his strength.
He made such racket that it took
some time before he heard the shrill
ringing of the telephone. Sybirs sister
was at the other end.
What is the matter?" asked the dis
tant woman's voice.
Your sister has run away from me-"
me tn
For heavens sake-with Shortwell?"
"Ah, you are an accomplice. I might
have suspected as much!" He might
have suspected anything but that.
Sybll'S sister was a simple, honest,
provincial woman.
Thomas, you are crazy. I just hap
pened to think Of Shortwell-the last
time I visited you I noticed that"
"What?"
"That the two we're in love with each
other. I thought you would have seen
that yourself long ago."
Thomas said no more. But he forgot
to hang up the receiver. For while he
heard woman's distance voice calling,
Hello, hello" and then the operator
saying. Have you f1nished?" He hung
said lunch had been ready some time
He rose mechanically and went into
the dining room. He sat down at the
table, which was set for two, and
dipped his spoon into the soup But
he did not take it out again; he stirred
1t round and round, and was still doing
this when Irene entered with the roast.
She set the meat dish on the table,
but instead of leaving the room, she
remained and kept looking at her mas
ter and the full soup plate with SYM
pathetic curiosity
She had taken service in the house
while Thomas was still at school. Since
that time she had loved him with an
unobtrusive and jealous love, which had
no other satisfaction than daily to be
hurt to the quick. She had always be-
lieved that Thomas was too good"-to
his parents while they still lived, to his
wife, to all people-eXcept herself. He
had never paid her as much attention
or given her as much confidence as she
deserved. She had to be silent about
the thing she disapprovcd of in regard
to Sybil. At this moment it seemed
that word might be allowed her to
show she knew what was going on.
1T isn't kind Of madam to stay away
so long, just now, while doctor has SO
much to do"
Thomas did not reply. He put
slice Of meat upon his plate, and cut 1t
slowly and carefully. He found Irenes
presence insupportable. for he had an