Evening sentinel, Friday, June 12, 1925 · page 9

 

 

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by Rothvin Wilder:

E wretchi" exclaimed Mrs. Richard

Browning liavsrford. with much em-
Phasls uml a deal of expressiveness. “Oh-h.
tho wretch!" sllc repented softly. with con-
tracted eyelids and a sharp. sibllant exs
halatlon.

“Did nnulamc call?" inquired her maid.
IPDCurim: ut the doorway.

"No." said madame shortly.

Then little Mrs. ltichard Browning
Bavcrford-«I’olly for short-hung herself
into a docp~seatcd chair in her boudolr. and.
with silken negligee in disarray and chest-
nut hair disheveled. did an exceedingly
feminine thing. She cried.

“Did madame call?" inquired the ubiq-
uitous and somewhat inquisitive meld again.
as she stood at the door for the second
time.

“N0.” said Polly. in exasperation. “l
lesire to be alone."

"Yes. madame," said the maid humbly.
as she withdrew.

If she were curious concerning this emov.

tional outburst on the part of her mistress.
she might be excused as. indeed, it was
quite unusual. But Polly's provocation was
as unusual as were her actions. She brushed
a fear from her cheek. and recovered the
source of all her trouble from the floor.
Where it had fallen in the first throes
if her lachrymosal grief. She held the her-
t'id note before her, clenched tightly in her
tsniall hand, and, with a lugubrious expres-
sion on her pretty face. read it over again:
Dear Dick.

Meet ms at noon tomorrow at the
Rittenhouse. in Philadelphia. Thompspn
will be there. and we can go out and have
a look at his Madeline. And any, old
fellow. she's a peach—all those graceful
lines that you admire. and speed enough
to suit even your fastidious taste. Thomp‘
son says he’s tired of her. so he will be
glad if you will take her 0! his hands.
He assures me that you won’t find her at
all expensive to keep. So don't fall to be
on hand, old chap. and the prize is yours.

Faithfully. BOB.

"The beasts!" said Polly when she had
finished reading. allowing her arms to swing
limply at her sides and the bit of paper
to flutter again to the floor.

So this was the climax of her year of
blissful married life. Ah. the bitterness
of it all. when she looked back upon the
beatific days that had been hers-and
Dick's, too. she had thought. Only an
hour before. she had been. she believed.
the happiest woman alive. Then she had
kissed Dick a fond good-by, as be de-
parted for Philadelphia. on business. A
few minutes later she had gone to straighten
Up his room with her own little hands, as
was her custom. and had found this—this
terrible note on the bed. where it doubt-
less bad fallen from one of his pockets.

“Oh. what shall I do?" she robbed.

Of course. it: wageli over. Never. never.
never could she sQ’Dick Haverfoljd again.
And yet the thought gave her b‘pang that
brought on a new fit of weeping. But
then, the inevitable must be met. The
man whom she had worshiped as the
quintessence of all that was good and noble
and loyal and pure had crumbled into the
kind of being that she loathed and hated
and despised. with every sentient thought.
Hts—her Dick—was planning. deliberately.
to obtain another woman—a “peach." with
“graceful lines" and “speed." who would
not be “expensive to keep."

She pronounced the hateful terms of the
note with scornful disdain. So her Dick
was that sort of man. Polly had heard
other women talk about men who did such
things. but never did she think a creature
of that ilk was embodied in the husband
that she loved.

"What-whut shall I do?" she subbed
again.

An idea! Bob had written the note—-
Bob, who had been best man at their wed-
ding and who professed to be their dearest
friend. Bob had led\ her Dick astray, had
destroyed her happiness, and—well. she
would get even with him. His wife should
know of his pcrfldy. She would telephone
to Nellie at once and have her come right
over.

“P-p-poor D-Dick." she whimpered. as
she fumbled the leaves of the telephone
directory, "I don't b-b-believe he wanted
to do it. at all. Than—that.- horrid Bob
Carleton just m-made him.”

"Nellie! Nellisl" cried Polly. in a de-
lirium of joy. as she gathered up her
skirts and raced toward the door. "0h.
l've wanted to see you so badlyl"

“‘l thbught, you were not at home." said
Nellie. a trifle fi‘igidly.

"Yes, I uni-l was—I—oh. I don't know
where I am."

The mid closed the door and regarded
her mistress with an air of reproach.

"What has happened, dear?" Ill”
Nellie soothlngly. "You seem nervous."

”Nervous? Yes, I am nervous. Oh. it's
dreadful—dreadful i"

In the meantime they had entered Polly's
boudoir. and Polly. with a significant nod.
dismissed the maid. _

“Why." said Nellie in surprise. "you
are going away!"

“Yes—J—l'm going away, never. new!
to return." admitted Polly tragically.

“But where. dear? Do tell me what
has happened. Why are you so excited!
What is so dreadful?"

“They have gone to Philadelphia to—ts
buy a \vonum."

"They? Who?”

"'Dick—Bob.”

Ncliic‘s face was a study. She was

' both interested and incredulous.

“You are hysterical. dear." she said.

“Maybe I am. but—oh. you don't know
what it is to have your husband go 0!
after a ‘peach.’ with graceful lines’; you
don't know—yet. There—there is the
evidence."

She handed Nellie the note and. through

eyes swimming in tears. watched has
read it?”

“Well!" said Nellie, when she had an-
feed. "‘tliis does look serious. What. have
you done?"

"P-puckcd my c-clothes." said Polly
weakly.

"What for?"
"I-—I'm going away."
“Nonsense!" scouted Nellie.

SHE had been married for five years. was

five ycars Polly’e senior, and. there~
fore, could be expected to take a more
experienced view of the exceedingly grave
situation.

“And then." continued Polly. “I'm going
to get a d-dlvorce."

“Absurd," said Nellie.
wisdom.

“Do you mean to say that. ,after this.

you are not going to divorce Bob?" asked
Polly with surprise.

“1 certainly shall

WM 'umrior

not." said Nellie.

“Poor little girl,” she added tenderly. .“lt

has been hard for you." She placed an
affectionate arm around Polly's trembling
shouldcrs and kissed her lightly on the fore-
head. “Now." she continued. “I'll tell
you what we shall do. V

"This note indicates that our precious
husbands are to be at the Rittenhouse—
hotel or club. I don't know which-at

1 neon. The. chances are that'they will have

So she took down the receiver. and with '

nerves uquiver. waited to pour her woes into
Nellie's car. But Nellie's maid informed
her that Mrs. Carleton had just gone out.
so, with a sinking heart and is bursting
head, she threw herself down at her desk
Ind buried her face in her arms.

Suddenly. Polly sat upright, and her taco
had a stern look. This. she reasoned. was
no way for an insulted, outraged wife to
act. She should be calm and dignified.
and conceal her feelings. She would pack
her belongings and take a room at a quiet.
inexpensive hotel. before Dick's return that
night. Then she would interview a reliable
lawyer and have the matter adjusted as
speedily as possible.

With her mind thus made up. Polly lost
no time ill further repining. and. in her

lubsequcul acliviiit‘s. she found her first
transito: ~til'Ct‘ilSE from the ache of he:
wortntle" um First she wiped her eyes.
bathe: .th cologne. and dablmd
powd- so Then she called her
maid elll‘lll‘ist‘tl individual she
explain rllt’ was going away on a
Visit. lllil. m: next few minutes found them

emptying drawers and closets of their fem-
inine apparel. which they crowded into
trunks and bags. in the midst of it all. the
door bell rang.

“If it‘s any one to see me," said Polly.
“say that For not at home.”

il‘hen she listened an‘ the maid answered
the summons and perfunctorily followed her
instructions. .

“Well." said another voice, "if Mrs.
Baveri‘ord returns in time. ask her to meet
me for luncheon at—"

t

\

luncheon there. And by 1 o‘clock. my
dear. you and I shall be there to Join
them." .

“You and I join them?" repeated Polly.
"Thank you." like stiffened. "I think too
much of my pride and dignity."

“Now. don't talk of pride and dignity
when your whole future happiness is at
stake. (it course. if you don't love Dick—"

“I do love Dick.” protested Polly, in-
dignant at the inference. "That is. I did."

“Well. I didn't. know." said Nellie. “So
many women don't."

“I‘m not that kind of woman." flared
Polly.

"Of course not. dear. Then it’s your
duty to save your husband. as it is my duty
to rcscuo mine."

“lint suppose—suppose." hesitated Polly.
weakening.

“we should meet that—that
awful Madeline creature?"

“Well. if we, do," said Nellie grimly.
“you just leave matters to me. At any
rate, we‘ll meet two much embarrassed
young man. Now hurry. dear. We haven‘t

much time."

And so Polly stifled her dignity. put
away her pride. summoned her maid. and
allowed bcrscif to be dressed. When the
task was completed she was an extremely
pretty Polly. arrayed in the smartest of
smart tailored suits and what she was prone
to call a “perfect dream" of a hat.

"There." said Nelly admiringiy. flocking
a speck of powder from Polly’s shoulder.
“I‘ll back you against Madeline. peach or
no peach."

“The-tho huzsy!" said Polly. although
smiling with satisfied Vanity at the implied
compliment.

"Wlicrctshali I send madame’s trunks?"
inquired the maid.

“The trunks? Oh." said Polly. "send
them-«no. don't send them anywhere—yet.
I shall let you know this afternoon."

Nellie. in the meantime. had called a
taxicab. and its whirring motor apprised
them that its meter was doing duty.

“Really,” said Nellie. ”we must hurry."

At last Polly was on her journey. but
her feelings in the matter were not at all
clear. At one and the same time, she was
reluctant and eager. angry and glad. re-
gretful and grateful. and and merry—Just
for all the world like the thoroughbred lit-i
tle woman that she was.

“My dear." said Nellie suddenly. "I bee
lleve you have a fever."

“No. not now," replied Polly.
a chill. now."

And Polly was actually shivering as
they went across on the ferry. Safely
ensconccdjn the Philadelphia train, how-
ever, she began to feel quite comfortable.
Then. somehow. when the train began to
move. she wished she hadn't come. Per-
haps. after all, there was an explanation;
at least, she might have waited. Well. any
way. it was too late to return.

“Oh. I‘ll tell them what I think of their
conduct.” remarked Mrs. 'Carleton mus-
lngly.

“Tell whom?” inquired Polly.

“Bob Carleton and Dick Baverfotd."

“It's

 

‘ said Polly coldly.

 

4.

He attempted to embrace
her,. but she suddenly re-
membered the purpose of
her presence and withdrew
im haughty disdain

“Please be good ‘cnough to confine your
unpleasant remarks to your own-husband."
“I am quite sure that
poor Dick never would have gone to Phila-
delphia and this—this Madeline—if it had
not been for Bob's evil influence." \

“Indeed!" snid’ed Nellie. ,

"Yes." added Polly triumphantly. “the
note proves it. Your husband. Nellie Carle-
ton. deliberately. willfully and maliciously
lured my poor. poor Dick into meeting this
'peach.’ with ‘graceful lines.’ "

“My dear.” rstortechllie'with gloating
vindictiveness. “when a man allows him-
self to be lured from his own ”fireside. 'tt‘s
usually because the tire is out at home."

"I suppose the same might apply to you."
snapped Polly.

“I‘ve been married for five years." said
Nellie scutentiously. ‘

After that. they didn't speak until the
hrakemon called North Philadelphia. In
the meantime Polly had spent a miserable
hour with her thoughts.

“We’re there—here!" she gasped.

“Yes." said her
looking disinterestediy out of the window.

"And Nellie." whispered Polly. 9'l—I
didn't. mean those—those mean things I
said.” ’\ , .

“Neither did I." replied Nellie.

They looked at each other. smiled fool-
ishly and clasped hands. When the train
reached Broad Street Station, they again
were the best of friends.

"Now for a taxi." said Nellie. with the
assertive assurance of a natural ltldfl'.
“To the ltittcnhousc." she directed the
cabby when they were comfortably seated
in one of those mechanical reincarnatione of
All Baha's forty thieves.

"Hotel or club. ma'am?" inquired the
csbby. touching his cap unctuodsiy.

Sparks From the

Met in Misery
T was late at night. No one seemed to be
about and the poor woman was very sea-
sick. Shs thought if she could only get up
to the deck a few minutes the fresh air
would do her good. So, in her nightie. she
was crawling up the stairs when she met an
equally sick man coming down. She gave
a feeble scream of embarrassment,
“Don’t worry. lady." the man groaned.
"I'll never live to tell it."

—_——-—

Peaceful in Heaven
u AY. months. was baby sent down from
heaven?"
“Why. yes."
“Um. They like to have it quiet up
there. don‘t they?"
h n . .
No Opposition
'ee H WINS."
“What yuh toil"
“Three aces.”
“No yuh don't. Ah wins."-
“What yuh got'l”
“Two nines an' a razor."
.“Yuh ehoh do. How come yuh so
lucky?"

Tit for Tat

AT was sitting in a station making.
when a woman came in and sitting be-
side him remarked: “Sir, if you were a gen-
tleman you would not smoke here.” “Mum."
be said. “If ye was a lady. Ye'd sit farther

away." "
Pretty soon the woman burst out again:

companion shortly.‘

 

“Both." interposed Polly.

“litil—>—cr——[ can‘t divide the vehicle.
ma'um. and—"

“The hotel. first," decided Nellie.

“I wonder." speculated Polly. looking
vacantly into space-as the machine got
under way, “if this—this Madeline creature
is a blondc or brunette. I'll bet she's a
blonde—‘a big course peroxide blonds—and
wears huge earrings and rouges frightfully
and-"

“Really.” interrupted Nellie. "till deer
boys have good taste." ,

The ride from “the station was a short

one ,and before Polly could find words to.

"N! the taxicab had drawn up before the
hotel. A livericd servant opened the door
and Nellie sprang out. followed by her
timorous companion. Nellie acted as spokes-
man and. after being assured by a polite
clerk that neither his. Carleton nor Mr.
liavcrford was a guest at the house, she
inquired for Mr. Thompson.

“Mr. Thompson is in his room, I think."
replied the clerk.

Nellie sent up her card and they awaited
his arrival in the parlor. for an intermina.
biy long time. too. they thought. Finally,
a corpulent. elderly man lumbered pomp-
ously into the room. glaring through'thick
glasses. lie was preceded by a bell boy.
who led him to the place where the ladies
were sitting. ‘ ‘

"Mrs. Carleton?" inquired the man in
a thick. grad voice. “I am Mr. Thomp-
son.”‘ ‘

“You had-had an appointment with Mr.
Carleton today?" ventured Nellie hesitat-
ingly. '

“I have not the honor of knowing any

_ Mr. Carleton." he rumbled.
“0h. then it's a mistake." hastened Nels

Jokesmith's Anvil

"If you were my husband, I'd give you
poison.”
“Well, mum." returned Pat. as he puffed

away at his pipe, “if you wus me wife, I'd

take it." .

In the Same Boat

HE near-sighted guest. who had vainly
tried to decipher the Bill of fare. finally
' turned and said: "Waiter. will you please
tell me what is on this card?"
"Sorry. ma’am." the waiter replied sym-
Dflthetically: “but I can't read either"

3.5

Hot From the Punch BoWl
IRST MAID-“How did you like work-
ing for that college professor?"
Second Maid-"Aw. it was rotten luck.
He was all the time quarreling with his
wife, and they kept me busy running be-
tween the keyhole and the dictionary."

.._.—‘

Courtship Tickler
s HE Girl‘s Father—Young man, the lights
in this house go out at 11 o'clock.

Young Man—That suits me.
_ \

Fair Exchange

AITER—This money is no good. air.
Diner—Then we’re even-your dinner
was no good, either.

a
Two Good Methods

Hers lie two men whom we agree
Have won the cut-glass bonnet;

The first of them blew out tits one;
The other stepped upon it.

 

 

lie. "l—we are sorry to have troubled
you. (Mme, dean",

She seized the frightened Polly by Ill
arm and iicd precipitously from tho room.

“l'II'v-cr most extraordinary." [rubbed tho
surprised Mr. Thompson. val their forms
vanished through the door.

"To the iittcnhouswCluh." ‘ gasped
Nellie, as. breathless. they resumed their
seats in the taxicab.

It required but.a short space of time
to traverse the few blocks that separated
them from this fashionable rendezvous of
Philadelphia‘s smart masculinity. and their
experience at the hotel still was too fresh
to allow any marked rejuvenation of cour-
age. However, Nellie put on a bold front
and rang the bell. A polite attendant an-
swered the summons. but, unfortunately. he
knew neither Mr. Carleton nor Mr. Haver-
ford.

“Yes.” he added. in reply to a question.
"Mr. Thompson is a member. I regret.
though. that he left not more than ten
minutes ago.”

“Did he have luncheon here?"
Nellie eagerly.

“I believe he did. ma'am."

"Accompanied by two gentlemen?"

“And Madei—" Polly checked herself.
in rosy confusion. Really. it would be
quite indelicate and beneath her dignity to
question a servant about such a creature.
And. of course. she couldn't have luncheon
Lt a man's club.

“I’m not sure. me'am." said the man.
replying to Nellie. “I think—" .

“Where did they go?" cried Nellie.

“Mr. Thompson left word that he could
he reached by telephone at the Ellington
Club." ‘

“Thank you." said Nellie. “We shall
go there at once.

asked

a N THE Delaware River. ma'am. abous‘
ten miles south of the city. You
may go by trolley or train."
“Thank you." said Nellie again, “we have
a taxicab."
A few minutes later they were speeding

south.

“Suppose." said Polly spprehensively.
“it is not the right Thompson. after all?
Anyway. they probably are with that her-

rid Madeline person at this very minute." .

“ \‘e'll find them." said Nellie grimly.
And then. as the taximeter clicked up
another twenty cents. indicating a total of
$10.80. she gave a little gasp and opened
her purse. - .
“My dear." she said. "how much money
have you?” . 1 . \
'Polly removed a bundle of heterogeneous
documents, a handkerchief. a pair of gloves.
a vanity box and a few other odds and
ends from her capacioos handbag. Jingled
a bit of change in her hand. and said:
“Thirty-five cents."
"And-VI." said Nellie tragically. “have
only forty-nine." \
"Click!" came from the taximeter. and
the bill stood at $11.0tk The chauffeur was
whistling softly.~ the machine whiasstl ass-
ward. and all the world seemed m.
“What shall we do?" said Polly.
“Follow these men," said Nellie firmly.
"We've got to dudjhem now."
"on—or get arrested. I suppose." sup
plemented Polly with rueful resignation.
"Or get arrested." agreed Nellie with
convincing finality.
“0h. wily did we come?" bewaiied Polly.
"Why?" repeated Nellie with .1.ng
eyebrows. "I should think you would ask
yourself that question."

’ ‘

 

ACHELORS and hen-

pecked husbands. at-
tention! Here is the joy-
ous account of the fall and
confusion of a suspicious
wife. whose troubles were
very real while they

lasted.

 

 

 

But where is this club?" ,

’ er fault." flung bsek Polly.

'lllyhfe'dlt. indssdi Why. I never would
have dreamed of taking this essay trip it
you hadn't shown me that note. I called
to take you to luncheon and this is the mess

t me into."

'oll‘W‘elt'Pseid Polly meekly. with eentrite
spirit. “we'll have to keep on riding and)
we had Dick."

“ ." added Nellie.

J3: fills. with a diabolical click. the
hdicator in the little box ahead of the.
pointed to 312. Nellie grossed. Polly

sighed. and the taxicab sped isuntily on

”1:: it awful!" murmured Polly. as
eter said 812.10. '
thl‘T-orriblei" exclaimed Nellie.

ORDS. however, were futile. and the
W two unhappy women set for a long
as. The machine. after several
a stretch of line gang's; road

eeee era s .
”ii-£3333 1.3:" said Polly when the
s indicated on the dial.

time in slien
“1m!- Itmck

3.40 we '
"filthy-nine." (ironed Nellie in a "Dal
ehrandoliiiel-e'long period" of silence. been.

. whirring of the engine. Finally.
mgr hdht‘iliifeur swerved from the roadway,
asscd through a gate and entered a at?“
x)h dad lane. Ahead of them they e
in: broad river. with dozens of plenum
cm‘f'l‘hnii lliiimhtl’da' place. ma'em." said the
chauffeur. drawing up .at the entrance to
an old-fashioned. rambling strut: are. l
Polly was su'aliowmg hard at a an,
that had risen in her throat. and Nellie
haunted look that was by no means
wore ting Neither had the courage to
mass: at the taximeter, and both. as they
:‘rilgil'iiached the clubhouse, felt that this
' e.
small—lg; It'll-t gridlocton here?" asked Nellie
in asstrnined. far-away voice as a servant
door.
“glididtliett‘gl knows of." answered the
man with a decided cockneynaccent.
“0r Min-Mr. Bavsrford‘l "
"Hi'm not certain. ma'am, bot——
“Is Mr. Thompson here? inquired Polly,
taking matters into her own hands. The;
Ill. ll.“ ll" breath. Much depended on
“3'62“:5 ma’am." replied the man
quickly, evidently pleased thatuh’e could
gratify the attractive visitors. E com.
'arf an hour ago with two other gentle-n
men." .
"They're here!" cried Nellie. flinging her
arms around Poily's neck. "Where—where
h f"
"l'l‘ii'll show you." said the man. regard.
ing his excited interrogates with no lieu.

curiosity.

E OBLIGINGLY conducted them to the
water front. led them out on a smell
dock and hailed a large motorboat that was
moored alongside.
“Mr. Thompson." he called.
brought two ladies to see you. sir."
They waited, breathlessly, and presently.
a thick mop of dark hair was raised from
the cockpit. a comely face came to view.
and a pair of striking eyes regarded them
questioningly.
“Are you Mr. Thompson?" asked Nellie.
“That‘s what I am called." he said
breesily with an agreeable smile.
"Well. I—I'm looking for Mr. Carleton."
“And I for Mr, Haverford." interposed
Polly. "And both of us for—for Madeline."

“Bi've

‘ she added. clenching her small fists.

But Mr. Thompson had not caught the
latter part of the remark, having dodged
back into the cabin of the boat.

“I'll bet the woman's there," grated
Nellie. “I’m going aboard.”

Bearcely had she started. however. when
'a familiar figure popped up from the pit.

“Dick!" cried Polly. springing forward.
, .‘Pou’ I!) '

Be attempted to embrace her. but she
suddenly remembered the purpose of her
presence there and withdrew in haughty die-
dain. The next moment Bob Carleton. too
surprised to speak. was at Dick's side. with
Mr. Thompson lagging behind, a smiling
observer.

“And now, Robert Carleton." said Nellie
severely. “suppose you let us see this
Madeline.”

“You see“ her now." he replied dssedly.
"But how did you—who told you—whst—-"

“Yes. stammer." interrupted his wife
frigidly.

“I don't understand at all." he replied,
giving every evidence of his perplexlty.
“Why are you here?" i

“To see your Madeline."

“Well. look at her. She's not mine.
though. but Dick's."

“0h, Nellie!" cried Polly. plucking at
her friend's sleeve and pointing to the bow
of the motorboat.

Her face was wreathed in smiles for

there. in brass letters, was the name—- '

“Madeline.”

“She’s—it's a boat!" gasped Nellie. sud-
denly comprehending.

“Of course." said her husband.

“And she's a peach. Poll." interposed
Dick enthusiastically. turning to his wife.
“Just look at those graceful lines.”

"You dear!" cooed Polly. and Thomp.
son. not caring to spy on Cupid's business;
dodged into the cabin.

W as nous Mar 0mm