HIAIITBRBAK Q-AND uutetse

i‘; Chapter 107 ' A sort of early summer lethargy seemed to have settled upon mo. Even the planning of my party, the ‘i first one we had given since our l .- house wss finished. failed to arouse me to interest. Dick wrote for hours, shut in his studYwfl Blwrt story to fill in the time until he heard from the publisher to whom he had submitted his manuscript. 8o he said. and had added that he wu too nervous to remain idle. when I urged him to rest.

Often he wandered over to Juan- ltds. l learned to know the signs. , At such time I would sit by the . window and wait, thinking long. » harrowing thoughts. Since the f night when Dick had repulsed me

when l proposed to accompany him ‘on his walks, l had not again offer-

ed. That ll knew he was with ‘Juanita made the watching, and the thoughts, more painful.

I had a curious feeling that Dick neither wanted me. nor wished me away. Sometimes I caught him ‘Ihlchinx me under-closed eyelids, at others with a look i could not ldthom. Then aigaln he would look so clean. so sane. so normal. so much the Dick with whom I had lived those long months in the de- lert, those months that at times seemed to drag, yet which t now looked back upon with regret. Dick had belonged to me then, he was mine utterly.

tluanita came over frequently in ‘those few days before the party. Ilways with a question as to my need of her. It hurt me to see Dick flush with pleasure when he greet- 6d her. At times he appeared ul- inost inarticulate with happiness- or else I imagined it. he was so quiet. -My mind was chaotic. At one time I would believe i was tak- ing the right course. the only course to hold my husband; at another I would wonder If I assert- ed myself. let Dick know that I

- disliked his intimacy with Juanita. if it would not, perhaps. prove the better way.

‘My preparations were about com- pleted. I had sent out. my invita- tions on ragged edged pieces of bark. and with a quotation from some famous author, humorous or otherwise, to lend them intcrest— and oddity. I had engaged two muslclans—a surprise for Dick Who wished one day we could have something beside the victrola for dancing. I had made out my sup- per menu. We had decided it more feasible than a formal dinner because of the size of our dining room. I had ‘bought a new gown which I knew was becoming. Yet I felt heavy-hearted. apprehensive.

Yet of what? Nothing more had

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The boy stopped to give uic a hug and two or three resounding kiss- es. "But we met Aunt Nita on the way home and she lugged him off tolook for some book she seemed

awfully keen about. Dad seems sort of happy over Aunt Nita. She's some looker al-l right. Was stun- ning this momlng."

e "What did slie have on?" I ask- ed to cover my emotion at the boy's frank ‘remark about his father.

"Oh, some soft white tiling, and a big lacy parasol-no bat."

“Well, never mind her. Taki- your bag upstairs and then come down and help me. We're having it big housewarming tonight. Dan- cing!"

"Huly gee! I never thought them fellows getting the measles would get me such- a good time. You bet I'll help. Say, mother. you'll dance with me. won't‘ you?"

“You bet lwill!" I slangily re- plied, comforted. l had niyvboyh love no matter what happened.

A CONTRETEMPS

I ‘more thoroughly.

=Mr. ~Baker wk Juanita home. I IJIOIIDI. Dick looked disappointed when he offered, but he said noth- ing, and Juanita in her orange dree ravished him with a look as she accepted the invitation.

I went up with Junior and talked a few moments. Dick had gone directly to bed. late as it was. I was not at all sleepy. so l sat by mg” window and tried to think, to

p .

“I can't ignore it any longer," I whispered to myself. "It mnst not go any farther. I must find some way to win him back before it is too late." -

I wondered if ever a wile lm been placed in the same position, and if so what she ,bad done? l thought with a shiver of self-re-

sort of wife in the first place I)ick never would have known Juanita. ririuiehou", everything went buck to this-any wickedness, my failure lu those first years.

"i will fight her with any weap- ons, but Dick must not know I uni ilghtinrr." I said as I finally arose.

A CRV FOR HELP

Chapter 109

Th». _v_cars spent \ in Ncvr York seemed’ very distant. and I had grown careless in writing Mrs. (lrziv. But in my need her sweet motiierly face came before mc. and thoughts of her as the one pcrsou in tlic world who could help me filled my mind. —

I wrote asking her to itiake me n visit. I did not realize until I heard from her husband that she was ill and could not take such a journey, how much I bad depend- ed upon hcr coming I could hope for help from no one. lmust fight my trouble. attack my prob- lem alone.

I felt almost sure thin as long as Jiininr ivas ill home Dick would not soc as niuchof Juanita ns be had

Chapter 108

Ab‘ mii-iy promised to be a suc~ cess. The guests had nli accepted and what is more to the point had arrived. All btit Juanita. Site! was inv ariably the last guest nol mutter what sort of a function she attended. I suspected her of do- ing this on purpose to make her en- trance niore theatical.

it was only a little alter nine. however. when she arrived, A little gasp of admiration went up when she appeared. Her gown of chiffon was made with several skirts, one over the other, from the deepest orange. her favorite color, to the faintest shade of yellow. She wore a gold lbandeau confining her hair, and a long floating scarf! of deep orange fell from one shoul- der. Her stockings and slippers matched her gown. As usual she wore no jewels.

No one could deny or question her beauty. My heart almost ceased beating when l saw the look in Dick's eyes when he greeted her. Junior was standing beside me.yet| even so I could not restrain a. sigh‘ as I saw a look pass between them.

I danced with Junior, while Dick,

happened to cause me to fear. I

save what with perfect propriety happens betweeen two‘ close frienda-——such as Dick and Juanita ware—or claimed to be. But in- tuitively something seemed to tell mo that. I was too trusting, top cus- ily deceived. Strive as i would. I could not rid myself of the idea.

Then the. night before the pnrty something happened to put all but

one thing out of my mind. Junior was coming home. "An epidemic of measles had

broken out at the school. and it. was so severe they were closing the classes for a week or two. The boys who lived near were sent home for greater precaution.

l was delighted that Junior was to be at the party, and could scarc- oiy welt for Dick to come in from his walk to tell him. To my as- tonishment he grumbled:

"-I don't see why he should be sent home just because a few of the boys have measles."

"But. Dick! l-Ie says the boys are very ill. And it will be delight- ful to have him h_ere for the party. He loves to dance.’

Dick made no reply, but went in- to the study and closed the door. I had a great deal to do, and with a shrug dismissed my disappoint- ment at his lack of enthusiasm ov- er Junior’s coming. But l could not so easily dismiss the heart- break that thoughts of Juanita brought me—~thoughts mixed with a sort of wistful envy.

Junior came next morning. I was too busy to go to the station. so asked Dick to meet him:

"He will feel neglected ii no one is at the train," I said.

In half an hour Junior came whistling up the walk-alone.

"Where's your father? Didn't he meet you?"

"Oh. yes, he was at the train." P

- look out. dvllother, or Aunt. Nita will

took Juanita for a partner. Every- i

bade fair to be a success. People ivundered all over the house. ad- miring, asking where I got. this idea. that ‘bit of color, or praising the ensemble. It was not my place as hostess, us well as designer of the decoration. t0 allow them to go unattended. I let. them return to the dancing, however. without me. pleading a wish to look after

the supper. The study was dark when I passed the door, save for the faint

glow of the reading lamp, although I was mire that only a short time before it had been as brilliantly lighted as the rest of the house.

Suddenly my heart stopped. and my ears fairly strained.

“You do love me, Nita darling. I know it!” I heard a husky voice, love-softened, say.

There was a silence~a silence such as a woman might keep when she was uncertain, or when a word spoken would betray her heart and her love.

"Don't torture me, Nita! Say you love me. Then we will have the courage to end t.his horrible situa- tion. I worship you. my beautiful girl. I can't'lirve without you! To- night you madden me." ,

it is not pleasant for a wife to listen to a declaration of love from her husband to another woman. It is not made easier to hear it wlirn 'her duties as hostess compel a smiling face and gay manner. I fclt sick, faint. I remained for a moment rigidly by the study dodr. then quietly returned to my guests. .

I felt very lonely among that gay latlKlling crowd, and motioned Jun- ior to my side. I took his hand in mine and the touch of his warm strong fingers gave me courage.

"Where's Father? he asked after a moment.

"I don't know. Somewhere about I guess."

"Last time l saw him he was talking to Aunt Nita. They didn't. see me, so l didn't butt in. Better

steal Dad. He's hlprpy about her."

I knew that Junior was only joking, yet his careless boyish speech hurt me.

' Cucura Will Help You Look, Your Best

Hie theCuticius Trio your every- , . l

"Ylou mustn't say such things. Junior. i know you are joking, but others might take you serious- ly, and it would hurt your Father."

Just than Juanita came Into the room followed by Dick. Sim at once wmmenced to talk with Mr. Baker while Dick sought other nests. But they both were iiush- zg, and Juanita was plainly excit-

‘.'Don't let anyone know." I said

before lic came. So as I must make hay while I could. I starteJ at once to put into execution a plnn I bad formulated.

“I'm going aver to Aunt Nlta's. Jitnior." I remarked, “don't you and father want to gu with me?"

"I'll so! Junior replied. but Dick excused himself.

As tactfully as I could I turned the conversation upon Dick. I told Juanita I suspected he was not well. that he was unlike himself.

"If I did not know him so well.‘ I would think he was getting silly in his old age," I said when Junior had gone out on to tlic porch with Juanitrfs pomeranian. "I-Is acts as it he were in love."

"What dn you mean?" had flushed.

Juanita

"Just what. I say. Dick is a pc- culiar temperament. He changed In many ways when he livcd an the desert so long. I-le is easily affected by colors, by anything which appeals to his sense of

beauty. or rhythm. I-‘lut this only

lasts while lie is with lilo person. .

preach that had I been the right‘

I run CHARLOTTETOWN GUARDIAN

baud.

i had thought of going to Juanita and frankly asking her to keep‘ laway from Dick. to keep him owl)’ from her, to refuse to see him. ' Then I‘ recalled her mocking leug-lbi the glances I had seen her glvel

iok. and felt sure she would only laugh at. me. if I could turn‘ them against each other in some way it would ‘be far lbetter. l

The publisher by his rejection of the manuscript had helped me. Juanita had said so much about flier helpfulness on the very points ‘the publisher criticised that it did not need a woman's "l told Y0" so," to make Dick feel I had been right in my feeling that if she was helping she should be recognized if she was not, he would do better to work alone.

“l should like to go away for a while. Dick. Suppose you come along and get material for some‘ ,good stories?" I ventureda day or, {two after this. Iliad not seen= ‘Juanita. but she had been over. ‘Junior was at home, and I smiled zss he told me:

I "Father was so glum over his

i

book I stayed right with them and '

helped entertain Aunt Nita."

"Why didn't you lnvito her to dinner?" leaked Dick. "Was she as gorgeously gowned as usual?" lie had said he couldn't go away.

"Looked like a Christmas tree!" Junior replied. ‘Honest. mother. AuntNita is all right for a once-in a-while person. but as a steady diet she won't do. Makes me think of a circus rider. It's all right at, parties and things. and when I was’ a kid I thought she was wonderful.’ Brut honest, I'd hate to have you doll up like she does."

I cou-ld have hugged that blessed boy. lie was playing into my hands as beautifully as if he knew what I was trying to do.

JUANITA STILL BELhEVES Chapter I10

"What. won't you go away for it , time?" l asked Dick the next morn ‘ ing at breakfast. "Of course I don't iueun until Junior returns t0 school." I liad scan tlic doleful_ look on my boy's face, and knew- he thought I Intended ip leave him at liome alone, 1

"l twau’! afford to g0!" Dick uns- wercrl shortly.

“But I can! I l1aven't spent iiezirly all I marli- on the Baker. house and we both need a change." i

“Go if you like. but leave lllP out‘ of your calculations. If the hook had been accepted I should have taken that yachting trip. As it. is» l shall remain at homo and write pot boilers."

"But I couldn't linve gnui- on; the _va.ciiiiiig trip --2it lens! yuii 1.1m!- noihing ilibillll taking me." 4 ‘

"No. Soiners couldn't take any; more ladies. He said he was sorry-j —-surry not to be ~rllli0 to invite you, Iineau. but that. his yacht would not accommodate any more than he had asked." l

"So ladies were going?" I

or in the place where he is so af- acted. is himself again.”

“You mean he is fickle?" a piiz-

had heard nothing, seen notliingjone was very gay, and my party 11911 10°11 ‘"1 1191' ~1""‘-°1

“That's no name for it!" I declar- ed laughing, but relieved at Jun- ior's reappearance. I had "start- cd something" as lie would have said.

When he reached home Dick was rm the ll0l’('ll', an open letter in bis band. a look of discouragement on his face.

"What is it. I asked.

“Read that!" h» replied shortly. handing me the letter. It Wiifl a short one from the publisher to whom he had submitted his manu- script. The book was not suitable for their fPfldEPSJlIlll so fiiey would have to return it. et cetera.

I could have sung aloud for joy. The “and so forth" had been a short but rather scathing criticism of some of the descriptions and characters. most of which had been furnished by Juanita.

"It would have been all right ii you bad written it alone." I said I returned the letter. “but a woman who ls as prone to exaggeration as Juanita, cannot help but ruin any serious undertaking."

"YVhy didn't you any so before?"

It was almost a rebuke. "And what do you mean by exaggera- tion?"

"Just what the word means. In dress, in manner. in nll site does, she is an exaggeration of self. To be really helpful. one cannot thliik of making an impression all the time. whether tliiil_linipresslon is on one person, nr upon thepub- 1c."

"I thought you liked her."

"I do." it was excusable to lie in such a cause, "but that doesn't blind me. She is so fascinating that. many women would consider her dangerous. Yet one would tire or her just as one tires of some axoticplant. But why are we liu seriously discussing Juanita?" I bad made up my mind to discuss her with him constantly. him with her. Instead of avoiding any men- tion of them, l would talk so con- stantly of Juanita to Dick. of Dick to Juanita that they would tire or hearing each others name. It may seem like a childish thing to do. but I was willing to do anything sihort of murder to keep my hus-

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to myself. “Keep up courage. don't give way to your feeling. l’ felt unlike myself. as if I were, ssque sding- I laughed at noth ing at all, was so gay t t once or twice I caimht Junior ooklng at. me in amusement. ' The supper gave me a little re-i lief. as tihey were pll too busy eat- ing to notice that for a moment Ii

slipped away. In my room ll l, lltllpr for hel then and remained h my

w" sstll one! fishes-ted J's the '9'"

Jw-hours,” declaring they ' "JIM" themselves

.4 Kmfb rt

WHEADACHE

POWIDERS."

t

s soon as he is away. he]

1 I showed her the publisher's letter.

l‘ lwould beussless, and hold her so."

"Yes." , I said n0 more, ilmt knew l had; the explanation. Juanita was to go. I wanted desperately to ask if) . he knew she ivas invited, lflSlI-‘litll

i‘.

“All that

its nam: g ' II implies

l

Acuortcun flecomaia

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JJ

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I questioned as carelessly as l, could: 1

"Wlin know?" _

"Yes, I believe ao-Jilr. and Mrs.‘ M-ortimer, Linda ldorrostcr and (Zarroll, end-some othcrs. About‘ six in sill."

“is Juanita going?" it was out.

I just couldn't lielp it. Dick flush. ed its he answered - -

"I believe she was invited. I (lo not know whether she intends to go or not."

There flashed through iuy mind’ the thought that. perhaps she would not go unless Dick went also, He had said he would not go. I said m, more but went to the telephone l I called Juanita.

“Are you going on "the yachting party Mr. Soniors is giving?" l, asked. |

"Yes-why?" she answered in a peculiar voice.

“Oh. I hml thought of giving an 1 otlicr pitfIY—-(‘i-l.l‘(lrl—iil’ld wanted tu know who to ask!"

Win-n I returned Dick said:

"I must tell Juanita about the manuscript, I think l'll walk ovcr there and get through with it."

"That's a good idea. Yuu will feel better when it. is over. Oi course you can't tcli her it was her fault, her exaggerated ideas that. pen | ,,—-a.in1pe; r. llO0q an; epniu suggested lie try another publisher. but lie had declared tlic nature oi the criticisms made it hopeless “She was so sure it would be a suc- cess.”

“So were you."

"Yes-—for a time. By the way, Dick. Juanita told me just now, when I called her on the telephone to, find out about having her for a hi ge game, that she was going on th. yachting pnrtyn"