WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

Otago Witness, Issue 3860, 6 March 1928, Page 81

WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

By

Frank R. Ayres.

( Copyright.—For the Otago Witness. ) Tom Matthews arrived home in such an exceedingly preoccupied frame of mind that he almost forgot to kiss his pretty young wife—they had been married exactly four years that day! Mary had prepared an extra dainty dinner to celebrate the occasion. It was Tom’s custom to give her a small present on each anniversary such as he knew would delight her heart. To-night he ate his dinner in silence. Mary, disappointed and almost reduced to tears in pained surp; ise, gave herself a headache endeavouring to discover the reason.

“ Tom,” she exclaimed at last, in desperation. “You haven’t said if you have enjoyed J’our dinner and—have you forgotten what day it is ? ” Tom came to earth with a start. “ I’m sorry,” he muttered shamefacedly, rising and leaving the room. A moment later he returned with a large box of chocolates, a bottle of scent, and a pair of gloves. Mary took possession of them with an exclamation of delight. “Thank you, dear,” she said, kissing him. “ I thought you had forgotten me this year.” “ I almost did,” replied Tom, settling down in his favourite chair and lighting his pipe. “Who do you think I met in the tube this morning? ” ■ “ I’m sure I can’t guess,” laughed Mary. “ Lots of people, I expect.” “ Elsie Bryant.”

“ Elsie Bryant,” repeated Mary, trying to recall the name. “ Oh, yes, 1 remember. A tall, rather handsome girl in a bold way. I’ve not seen her since—before the war. Worked in the City. Always had big ideas of her; own. importance. Used to look down on poor little me.”

“ She is someone in the city. You know Winn and Robsons, in Oxford street ? ”

“Of course. It’s one of the biggest shops in the thoroughfare.” “ Elsie Bryant is head buyer there. The war gave her her chance, and she seized it. I have heard she is considered one of the best business women in London. I’d . like to have all she makes over a thousand a year.”

“ And you get a miserable eight pounds a week,”-gasped Mary. “It’s a shame!” “ That is as may be, dear. However, Elsie Bryant has offered me the position of under buyer and secretary to her. The commencing salary is £4O a month.” “How delightful, Tom dear. I am pleased. We shall be able—”

“ Don’t start to spend it yet,” laughed her husband.

Tom had not taken up his new duties long before Mary gradually became aware of a perceptible change in his manner towards herself. She was loth to believe it at first. On several occasions latelv he had returned home at midnight, giving press of business as the excuse. He grew moody and quiet, rarely taking her out as of old. Slowly, as the months passed, a barrier of reserve grew-between them. Tom took to sleeping in the spare room—so as not to disturb her at night, he excused lamely. Mary saw and wondered - she was no fool. With a serenitv she had not thought herself capable of she awaited further developments. It came like a bolt from the blue from an unexpected quarter. Irma Mason, a gushing young friend of her early youth, called one afternoon. J. hey had not met for years. Mary, taken by surprise, was at a loss to understand the purport of this sudden renewal of friendship. Irma mickly undeceived her. In her excitement to tell Mary her news she spilled her tea. Father took us to see the new play last night,” she chattered. “ What do you think we saw?” No idea, laughed Mary, sitring up, endeavouring to appear unconcerned. Instinctively she knew at once Irina’s reason for calling. Her suspicions were about to be confirmed. • “ Your husband—with Elsie Bryant!” exploded Irma, leaning back in her chair, the better to observe the result of her bomb-shell. After the show they went on to the Toledo for supper. Their table was near ours.” Mary returned Irma's searching gaze with never a flicker, in eyes that were bright and hard. “ That’s easily explained,” she smiled, her heart jumping within her breast. “ Tom purchased tickets for three. I had a sick headache yesterday and was too ill to go. Tom sadly wanted to stay with me, but I insisted on his taking ’llsie.” Irma s face fell. She was obviously disappointed. She had expected, well—nothing nice. She thought she had discovered a topic for scandal, but this smiling, happy wife gave her the lie. “ They seemed very friendly,” Irma murmured, dropping her eyes. “ Naturally, Elsie Bryant is his chief.” “ O—oh I ” “ Yes.” “ Sorry, I must go,” murmured Irma. Pleased to see you so well and happy.” “ Thanks. Good-bye.” Mary could not help shedding a few tears. She was thankful she had retained sufficient presence of mind to hide the truth from Irma, otherwise she would almost certainly have been startled into giving herself away and loosening the vir dictive tongues of scandal. She had proof now that her husband was lying to her. Bravely, she awaited the next move. It was not long coming. One evening, after much hesitation, Tom suddenly opened attack. “ I’m off to Paris cn Friday with Elsie Bryant.”

“ Whatever for? ” “ Annual buying expedition. You don't mind, do you ? ” “ Business is business. As such, I have no objection to you going to Pari:, with her, although you never mentioned these trips when you took the job on,” said Mary regarding him gravely, speculatively. Tom coloured. “ Why should I,” he growled. “ I'm my own master.” Mary's face became serious, although her round eyes grew rounder. '• What just is the matter, Tom?” she asked. “Oh!—can't you guess?” he almost thundered.

“ I never was good at guessing.” “If you must know —we love each other," he burst out violently. “ What right have you to love her—or she you. for that matter? ” sai l Mary, calmly. ‘' There is no need for you to shout. Do you intend to elope? ” “ Certainly not! She wouldn't do such r. thing, nor would I. She's too ,>roud.” “ Then,” said Mary, apathetically, “ you’ll have to wait for me to die. I shall not get a divorce.”

He stared at her in wonderment. “ Are you really in earnest?” he asked. “ Certainly! I didn’t marry you for five minutes. 1 have been everything a wife should be to you. I’m not to be cast aside without a struggle.” Tom threw himself into a chair and threshed the air with his hands. “ Mary! Mary!” he almost sobbed. “Pity me. You’re young. You will love again. We can’t live without each other.”

Mary caught her breath, but she answered calmly. “ I think she has turned you crazy. Have you no respect for the marriage vows you took ? ” “ When a man is up against a soulconsuming passion as I am he—he easts aside human laws. He rises- above such petty restrictions.” “ Sorry I can’t rise with you,” said Mary seriously. He swore and sprang to his feet, his handsome face white with passion. “ Very w r ell, I shall leave you. I’ll pay you alimony, of course. Your pride will force you to divorce me. We can wait.” “ Perhaps your soul-consuming passion will burn out in the waiting,” replied Mary.

Tom almost roared: “ Never! ” Wearily Mary moved to the door. “Good nig’t,” she said sadly. In her own room she flung herself on the bed and sobbed noiselessly for an hour, “lowly she thought out her plan of action. Somewhat- comforted, she slept, i

Mary was ushered into Miss Brvant's private office. She felt nervous* and afraid. She sensed she had come on a fruitless errand, but was determined not to give up Tom without a struggle. Miss Bryant greeted Mary with a cold, appraising glance. Calmly Mary returned her stare, and for a few seconds they silently took each other's measure. “Well?” suddenly shot Miss Bryant. You wished to see me? Please be quick, my time is fully occupied.” “ I—l—have come to talk with you about Tom—my husband,” began Mary boldly, taking the lead. “He tells me you are in love with each other.” “If we are what do you propose to do? ” sneered Miss Bryant. “But he’s mine. He belongs to me! ” gasped Mary astonished. “ Tom belongs to you just as long as you are capable of holding him,” retorted Elsie Bryant. “You milk-and-water women make me sick. You think because you married a man you have him for keeps. Rubbish! When you have been through the mill as I have you will understand that life is a perpetual gamble—one long struggle to gain and retain. The harder the fight, the sweeter the spoils. You—no. Having attained your desire you sit back and take things easy. Fool! There are gamblers in souls as well as money. The game of lif - goes on while ever life'lasts.” “ And do you expect me to release Tom at your bidding?” fought Mary. “He cannot marry' you. I will never divorce him. I have that satisfaction within my power.” Divorce, fiddlesticks! If I cannot hold Tom without the conventions—you are welcome to him.”

“ You think he will remain faithful to you? ” “ That remains to be seen. Take first, and hold afterwards, is my motto.” “ Tom doesn’t really love you,” cried Mary in one last piteous appeal to Elsie’s better nature. “ Why' can’t y'ou leave usi alone ir. cur happiness? You have bewitched him.” Elsie Bryant turned to her desk. Go home and tell him so,” she flung contemptuously over her shoulder. “ Please understand in future this is my place of business, not a theatre for rehearsing emotional scenes.” Mary realised she was wasting her breath. Next morning she made for home and mother, 50 miles away. Mrs Pag<- was indignant. “ Why, child,” she exclaimed. “ Elsie B /ant Elsie Bryant no longer. She married Ted Gordon two years ago. They quarrelled and parted a few days after their honeymoon. Doesn't Tom know ? ” “ I don’t think so,” said Mary astonished. Mrs Page looked wise and thoughtful. ‘“I think I see a way to help you,” she announced. “ But, first of all, do you think Tom worth keeping?” “ Mother! Of course. I —l love him.” “ Then lam sure I can help. you. Elsie Gordon wants her freedom. She is too ambitious to b e serious over taking Tom from you. Any convenient man would serve her purpose.” Mary returned home in a happier frame of mind than she had known for many months. Her crude, drastic plan was dwarfed beside her mother’s more subtle one. When Tom Matthews let hinjself in that evening he had no idea his wife had been away all day. Her bright spirits ani don’t-care-if-you-do attitude puzzled him. For a wife who knew her husband was leaving her in a couple of days for another woman she was anything but funereal. He had anticipated a stormy scene, tears, protestations, instead of which she provided him witli a good dinner as usual. Bewildered, he wondeied if she was glad he was going. Curiously, he felt slighted at her failure to rise to his expectations. His pride was wounded. Somewhat lamely he attempted conversation. Mary, humming a tune, retired to the kitchen.

Damn it ! ” he muttered savagely. Her unruffled behaviour bewildered him—took him at a disadvantage. He found himself making comparisons. Had she acted as any ordinary sane woman in like circumstances he would have felt more sure of himself. Had he—— ?

Tom arranged to meet his soul-mate at the station a few minutes before the train was timed out. Directly her ta“xi rolled up he seized her possessively by the arm and hurried towards their reserved compartment. Their ingress was suddenly blocked by a tall, muscular, rather handsome man, who raised his hat politely. Tom’s companion uttered a smothered exclamation, and turned white. Unsuspecting, Tom held out his hand in friendly greeting.' •“ Mornin’. Gordon,” he said. “ Pleased to see you after all these years. Sorry we cannot stop. Train to catch.”

Gordon ignored the outstretched hand. “ Plenty more trains,” he grinned, inanely, subjecting his wife to an appraising look. Then: “You two seem very friendly. May I ask where you are taking my wife to? ” he demanded fiercely of Tom. “ Your wife ? ” “ Certainly. Ask her.” Tom turned to Elsie. That lady’s face was crimson with mortification. “ I—l didn’t know,” stammered Tom. “No ?. Doubtless she had a very good reason in not informing you. Do you mind if I accompany you on this trip?” Tom, at a loss for words, wished the ground would open and swallow him up. Elsie came to his rfescue.

‘ He is not to blame,” she lashed out. “He had no idea I was married. I’d like

t > know how you discovered we were going away together.’’ “ Sorry I cannot gratify your curiosity.” ‘‘ What ar e you going to do, anyway ’ ” 11 That remains with your lover. Now ho knows the truth, perhaps he is not so anxious for your company. Or, again, perhaps a great love like his is proof against such little er’—inaccuracies.” He turned to Toni: “Well, what do you say?” * J

“ I think I had better leave you two together,” replied Tom, ruefully. “ I feel an utter ' ass.”

“ Under the circumstances, I expect vou do,” said Gordon, whimsically. “ Better make sure of your ground before you attempt to run away with another man's wif e again. I should like to have a heart-to-heart talk with Mrs Gordon.” Mary was lightly humming a tune when she heard her husband quietly sneak into the house and hide himself upstairs.