Show T the he CLAY r B D J WALSH MASK copyright W NU service 1 I sha shall 11 be a little late tonight merrick told his wife as he threw out ut the clutch and slipped the gear acar shift into low oh be late how late dear she asked with the color leaping into her usually pale cheeks impatiently he held his foot on the clutch oh a couple of hours or maybe three I 1 have to drive over to speedwells Spee dwells dwelle after business and it may take me some time there nora nodded all ill look for you when I 1 see you dear until he had bad driven five miles merrick thought nothing of his wife bif e nor her slight flush nor her words now however they returned to him poignantly why should she want to know just how late he would be what was she going to do with the time why had the color sprung into her cheeks so quickly was it possible that there was some one she would see in that time nora was always busy all day between su per intending the house looking after the children and giving her attention to certain social amenities that could not be overlooked he remembered suddenly how nora had smiled at young mills at the last country club dinner was it possible could they he found himself driving on with set lips and glassy eyes his noral As the day passed merrick managed to call to mind some dozen cases where nora had seemed more than slightly interested in some man other than her husband yes he had probably lost her he had grown careless and this was his reward at closing time he had worked himself up into such a frenzy about the whole thing that ho he drove straight home instead of going to speedwells Spee dwells ile he was home a half hour earlier than usual minette the maid was at the door and her eyes frowned as she she saw him madame is not expecting you yet she said falteringly in reply to his inquiry no well ill go right on up he said trying to be casual but it would be best if you began minette without reply he went up the staircase past her the veins in his throat swelling uncomfortably throwing open the door of her room he stood on the threshold glaring there was a sudden yelp hardly human but he recognized the tone as that of his wife and his cifes face gray as ash well he said harshly oh merrick I 1 thought you going to be late she said lamely there is so little time during the day and an d I 1 thought this would be a good chance to use my clay mask stuff and nora wondered why it was vas that with the crumbling clay on her face her husband took her into his arms and affectionately caressed her it just shows she told her self later that men dont care a rap for looks because who could be pretty in a clay mask |