Evening Republican, Volume 17, Number 170, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 July 1913 — MARRIED LIFE, SECOND YEAR [ARTICLE]

MARRIED LIFE, SECOND YEAR

“FINE CAR YOU hare here,” said Warren admiringly, at they whirled aver the freshly oiled roads. “Suits me all right,” Mr. Stevens assented complacently. “About as good as they make ’em for all round service. Can’t be beat for speed and durability. I looked the market over pretty thoroughly before deciding on this, and I’m well enough satisfied.” “I should think you would be,” agreed Warren. “How long have you had this?" “About six months now.” “And it’s so beautifully appointed and finished,” said Helen, who was leaning back luxuriously, enjoying every moment of this fast whirl through the country. “I love this shade of maroon, it’s so soft and rich.’’ "Yes, tOat’s my wife’s choice,” said Stevens. "Our last car was dark green but she took a fancy to this.” The Stevenses were rather well-to-do Brooklyn people, who are spending the summer at the seaside hotel where Helen and Warren were now staying. Mrs. Stevens had taken a strong fancy to Helen, and her husband and Warren seemed congenial, so the party of four were often together. And this evening they were all out in the Stevens’s big car. To Helen, who since her marriage had so few opportunities for motoring this wae a rare treat The swift motion and fresh air brought the color to her cheeks and her eyes sparkled with pleasure. The roads were broad and smooth as glass and their headlights lit up the way as they sped through the darkness. Now and then an occasional car with its gleaming lights came suddenly out of the night and shot past them. Helen could not help but think of the danger should either car swerve the least to the left —the horrible collision that would follow. To the right of the road! Only in the universal knowledge and strict observance of that rule lay their safety. Their lives were not only In the hands of theft- own chauffeur, but equally in that of the driver of every other car which passed them. Helen knew that in England the rules erf the road were Just opposite. There it was always “Keep to the left!” Supposing an English chauffeur should be brought over here, and In a moment of confusion Instinctively revert to his accustomed habit! On and on they flew through the soft darkness, the cool, sweet odor of the woods and the night air. Suddenly as they passed a small farm house three dogs came tumbling out in the road. They were barking at the machine and fighting with each other. As the chauffeur turned out sharply, two rolled together almost under the wheels.

Helen gave a wild, piercing sbriek as she clutched Warren’s arm. But the dogs were unhurt. With unusual Skill the driver had swerved still further and passed them unharmed. Warren shook off Hblen’s band which* still clasped his arm. "What on earth’s the matter with you?” angrily. “Shrieking here like a Comanche Indian!” "Oh, but Warren,” breathlessly, "I was so frightened! Oh, I wae sure h« would run over those dogs!” “Well, he didn’t, did he? And what good would your shrieking do anyway? Don’t, you think the driver’s capable of running this car?” “Of course, only I was so frtghtened; I couldn’t help it." ''Well, you’ll help it next time—or I’ll not go out with you again." “Why, Warren,”—with a catch in her voice. The sadden fright had completely unnerved her. "Now, .for heaven’s aawe. don't begin sniffing. You've made enough of an exhibition of yourself for one evening.”

Never before had Warren spoken to her in this way in the presence of others. And now her sense of indignation conquered her tears. She drew hock in her corner of the car without speaking. While the Stevenseß had not heard Just what he had said —for his voice, though fierce, had been In an undertone which the noise of the oar* had helped to drown—still they had heard enough to know his anger and Helen's hurt "Never mind what he says,” laughed Mrs. Stevens in a kindly effort to pot Helen at ease. "All men get angry when you are frightened and scream. That is, after you're married —before that they think it's your delicate, high-strung nature and are all the more tender. But after a year or so of marriage, they think it's a foolish display of nerves.’*. Then turning to her husband, "And you all hate it —don’t you, Will?” Mr. Stevens laughed and shrugged his shoulders. "My dear, you usually forget to scream until after the thing Is over.” Here the car gave a htavy jolt as they passed over a railroad track, and for a moment their attention was diverted. ‘Take it easy over those tracks, John,” Mr. Stevens called out to the driver. "Ylu’d better slow up along hsre anyway,” Helen was sitting far back, her face •haded by her veil. Why had Warren spoken to her like that before these people? It seemed so needless to humiliate her In this way! And now he was making It worse by maintaining towards her a persistent alienee. "There’s a pretty good roadhouse around this turn,” announced Mr. ‘Stevens. "They've got some darky singers there that aren’t half bad. What do you say to stopping? John,” calling out to the driver, "turn up at that sign there!” It was a typical country roadhouse, catering to the automobile trade. A colored youth strummed a piano another a banjo and a third pranced up and down singing "My Honey Girl.” They ail ordered some light cooling drinks and Warren and Mr. Stevens lit cigars. At any other time Helen would have enjoyed it. But now she was most unhappy. If Warren would only say something to her, anything to put her at ease and make things right But while he was laughing and talking with the Stevenssa he %natsd

The negro stopped singing now, but Mrs. Stevens was still humnrfng the air—tapping time ao the ts&ta. 1 “Oh, Will, go over and otic them to sing "My Lady Sue.” As Mr. Stevens rose to oompiy, Helen pleadingly slipped her hand Into Warren’s which was holding a napkin on his knee. ."What’s thematter?” curtly. Do you want this napkin? Dropped yours?” She flushed hotly. Oh, how cruel he oonld be! But Mrs. Stevens was watching her, so she stooped Ov«r g* though to pick np her napkin. ‘‘Yes—but never mind—l have it now:”