| Show tia iAMA 1 i I 1 PATTERNS OF PROP by E washington f isoji by joseph bowles of course I 1 m very fond of owen she mused I 1 love him very dearly and when hes here its all different but when he s out at work and I 1 m alone oh it seems so dull to be mar ned her eyes grew wistful she leaned forward gazing intent ly into the leaping flames but it was no longer the white tiled hearth and polished brass that met hei view she was far away oh to be back there just for once with 1 ands and an old fiock agay and careless with the home crowd but she paused what would owen thinks had he not furnished the flat as daintily and beautifully as possible to be a fitting background for her and how disappointed he would be it he knew how wickedly discontented she was at that instant sounded a sharp rat tat at the door and turn er the ma d appeared with an or ange envelope and a silver salver A telegram 9 her mistress spir its rose oh I 1 hope its something exciting something delightful her tone fell iso answer she said de and as the maid withdrew she tossed jhb crumpled missive into the slowing fire detain d dont wait dinner owen A whole day alone and now the whole evening too abe pouted and her lips trembled like a child S and then suddenly as the sun bursts out from a rain cloud a soft radiance overspread her face she drew a long breath clasped her hands and in ecstasy whispered do it she ran to the clock one oi the wedding presents a pretty fragile toy cupid swinging in a wreath of brilliants and peered anxiously at the dial only five dy superhuman efforts I 1 can catch the 5 40 reach woodcote Wood cote at seven and be with them all by eight what an inspiration what a stroke of genius she laughed joy bously all trace of boredom vanished be back to morrow and it owen is dining out he won t miss me for a few hours oh how astonished they 11 be when I 1 just walk in upon them she rushed to the writing table with an impatient swish of her skirts now I 1 must leave a note behind me on the mantelpiece just as they do in plays and novels and with a tri little laugh she dashed off a hurried one dearest must not think his wife has deserted m she has only run home and will be back early to her love as always there she closed and sealed the letter propping it up against the cupid clock the grim turner was considerably surprised to see her usually immar mistress leave the house twenty minutes later clad in a shabby serge skirt and much worn rusty tarn later that evening mr opened the door with his latchkey he was tired after a long day s work and the light and warmth of the flat an agreeable contrast to the gloomy drizzle without his cheerful call of peggy where are youa brought turner from the regions of the kitchen mis thought you would be dining out sir she in formed him and has gone away there s a note tor you on the mantel piece hat orders shall I 1 give cook about your dinnery A note gone away by jove said to himself what s up nowa he tore open the envelope aoa smiled as he read irner watching furtively summed up his conduct in one word heartless said her master absent ly oh no dine at the club but as the door closed behind the maid he strolled to the window no I 1 m hanged it I 1 will he decided I 1 m not in the mood to turn out again or to dress either ive a good mind spend a bachelor evening here A bachelor evening he repeated not a bad idea they were good old days after all ease before elegance he cast a disapproving eye about the loom strange what an amount of frippery women surround themselves with so he arrayed himself in his old smoking jacket relic of bygone days piled al on the fire drew forward the most comfortable chair and pre pared for enjoyment soon clouds of smoke filled the room wreathing about the delicate hangings and damask curtains as he puffed away in content the silk cushions in a maggied heap his head he had arranged a dyphon and decanter at his elbow his slip feet were stretched in the blaze yes he could get through an evening like this quite comfortably so he read and smoked and dozed while the hours flew after the ants had retired he made a raid upon the larder reappearing earing with a couple of eggs cheese the homely onion and such implements of war as a saucepan plate knife and spoon A chef may need a hundred pots and pans a bachelor can achieve mar results with one complacently divested himself of his coat turned up his sleeves and corn fenced operations occupied he did not hear a gentle turning of the key nor a I 1 step crossing the hall and he stood petrified when a well known volie exclaimed in tones of undisguised amazement owen hastily dragging the saucepan to a place of safety he turned quickly with a sickly smile and a feeble well darling home so taken aback was he by this unexpected turn of affens that he tailed to realize the extraordinary s tume of his wife though even to his disconcerted mind she seemed hardi in her usual fashionable trim he was endeavoring to conceal the spoon behind his back miserably conscio s of the appearance of himself the t li A room and peggy such a pattern ot propriety mrs meanwhile was taking of the surroundings she ejaculated sniffing severely whisky her quick eye ravel ing about grease on the carpet and a cushion a wreck well im awfully sorry really stain the discomfited husband cast ing nevertheless a regretful glance at the steaming sui per but yo i see I 1 expect you back and the servants are it so I 1 was just well just enjoying yourself she finished and simply ruining everything her olce trembled and she turned away took a step forward don t cry dearest he implored it can all be put straight I 1 can shovel the things back into the kitch en and open the windows and but his wife with a sudden movement flung her arms about his neck and there was laughter not tears in fier voice owen she gasped why you silly I 1 m not cross I 1 m simply de lighted it s a perfect load off my mind do you mean to say you re a bohemian WAY I 1 thought you were the last person in the world to do a thing like this that you were the very pink ot propriety and oh I 1 worn out trying to live up to it to think how weve been deceia ing each other she cried and how I 1 crept in with a sinking heart won M conscious of the appear ance of himself deang what you d say to my get 0 oh it was just this prunes and prism life that drove me awa this evening I 1 felt I 1 must have a respite even for a few hours and go home where everything isn t at such a pitch of perfection si e was kneeling before the fire exam ining the neglected dish and she turned a bright animated face up to her husband s it was impossible not to kiss such smiling lips and knelt be side her laughing too like a school boy playing truant and what la the meaning of your behavior mad ama he inquired what were you doing starting off like a rocket and returning like a cometa what brought you backa this she drew a crumpled note from her pocket and her pretty gray eyes grew soft one of your love letters sir imploring me to fix the day saying you t live aitho it me any longer I 1 little knew she continued demurely how very well you could manage alone well I 1 across this in my old frock ano my conscience pricked me so I 1 jumped out waited for the next train and came straight back to find yo in our shirt sleeves a regular bo heftman cooking in the drawing room owen do know I 1 think we mua start afresh have less formality and more tun in our lives let s dismiss the servants I 1 m sure we d b muan happier with less superior servants somebody who keep such disapproving eye upon our move n ants some one who d let me dust and market and cook occasionally why it would make life 20 times mor interesting shall we by all means cried cheerfully filling his glass here a toast to our venture success to tha not impossible she if she exist that most excellent maid who Is to let u have our own way for ever bu first catch our hare you know and then turn it into a welsh rab b t laughed mrs gayly as they sat down to their impromptu supper |
