ONE MAN’S WIFE

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18804, 5 July 1929, Page 16

ONE MAN’S WIFE

INSTALMENT SIX.

By

Copyright, 1928, by Public Ledger

Barbara Webb

ANNE LOVELACE and 808 WEST, old friends of RICHARD ROSS, have come to dinner. Richard has married a French peasant girl, YVONNE, and requires her to retain the manners and dress of her native Normandy. He has married her in a fit of pique over the changed manners and customs of society in New \ ork. Anne is an unexpected guest. Yvonne, thinking only Bob West was to come, is in the kitchen and does not expect to make one of the dinner party. THE DINNER PARTY. Richard felt himself staring at Anne. She was dressed far more simply than when he had seen her last. She wore no make-up. Her hair was longer and she resembled in many ways the girl he had known and admired years before. He felt a flash of the old admiration. There was rather an awkward pause. Bob broke it by asking: "Where’s the wife, Dick? Still dressing? Hope we re not too early. Anne would come, i said she had met your wife before and was sure it would be nicer for us to be even at the table. Brought her along to keep me company, you know.” "Does she like America, Dick?” Anne asked softly, smiling at him. Richard felt himself in a panic. There was no way to get Yvonne out of the kitchen. Perhaps he could persuade her to come to the table with them. He faced the situation squarely. “That is Yvonne you hear in the kitchen,” he said, going to Anne to take her wrap. “She was determined to give you a real French dinner and she's been working at it since early this morning. I couldn’t persuade her to turn over any of the work to anyone else, and we have just had an argument in which she insists on staying in the kitchen and keeping things just right while we eat the dinner.” “How quaint!” Anne said. Bob came to the rescue: "I sav, that’s real hospitality. Can’t we go out there and say hello?” Richard felt relieved. Good old Bob, to save the situation. He went to the door and spoke Yvonne’s name. “In a moment, Richard,” she said. He could see her whipping out of her apron and patting her hair in place under the little lace cap. She was flushed and charming. “THIS IS MY WIFE.” took her hand as she ramp into the living-room. “This is my wife, Bob. Yvonne, dear, you have met this lady. Mademoiselle Lovelace. She has come with Monsieur West to sample your fine cooking.” \ vonne made her usual curtsey to Bob, and when she saw Anne extending a hand in the American fashion she took it, murmuring a word of welcome. “Since we have another lady with us, Yvonne, won’t you change your mind and dine at the table with us?” Richard askeo the question gravely, expecting Yvonne to answer yes. But most of Yvonne’s mind was still with her dinner. It mattered more than ever now with this strange woman present for the dinner to be perfect. So, “I would rather not, Richard,” she said. “I am having for you a souffle,” she said to the others, speaking very slowly so they might catch her meaning, “and other things that must be served at the turn. I will come for the coffee and fromage, and later as you visit, but now’ —I must fly to my dinner.” It was said charmingly and Richard saw the look of admiration Bob cast at the girl. “You’re a great sport, Madame,” Bob said. “Tell her that in French, Dick; I never could speak the stuff.” Richard translated. Yvonne smiled at Bob, made half a bow to Anne, and turned to leave the room. In a few minutes she was busily laying another place at the table for Anne, and then she asked Richard to seat his guests. “Sorry there aren't any drinkables,”

Dick said. "Didn't think of it in time to provide any.” “We won’t need any to enjoy this dinner, I am sure,” Anne said sweetly, rearranging her knives and forks which Yvonne had placed in the Continental manner. The dinner itself was a fantastic meal. Richard had never been more conscious of Yvonne than he was as he watched her moving quietly around the table, seeing to their wants, serv ing them with the delicious food. Anne ate delicately and talked of her sister Betty, whose debut was soon to be made. Bob was too busy eating to say a great deal. Richard told stories of his hardships in South America But each one felt somewhat under the spel’ of the quiet little creature who waited on them as graciously as though «he truly found this the ideal way of entertaining guests. With the coffee, Yvonne slipped into a chair opposite Richard. She had taken off her apron and her lace cap Her curly hair was pinned in a knot on top of her head. Sitting there quietly in her peasant costume of rich materials, she seemed a figure from bygone time. “I propose the health of our hostess, Bob West said, looking at his coffee and sniffing its aroma. “Her health in the finest beverage I’ve ever tasted ” He rose, brandishing his cup, and Rich ard explained to Yvonne what they were about to do. “I hope you will come often to my husband’s house,” Yvonne said, when the little ceremony was over. “If you’ll take me for a regular hoarder. I’ll move all my things out here,” Bob said earnestly. “Honestly. Mrs Ross, I didn’t think there could be such delicious food in the world. Tell her that for me, old man. make it stronger if you can." As Richard finished translating. Anne laughed and said: “Truly. Mrs Ross, you have found the way to a man’s heart—l shall have to take some lessons.” ANNE ENTERTAINS. Yvonne went with them into the living room, choosing a low chair and sitting in a shadow. Richard and Dick lighted their cigars, Anne smoked hei own brand of cigarettes, politely offer ing Yvonne one, which was refused. “Shall I play for you?” Anne asked presently. “Please do,” Richard said. He opened the piano and seated Anne on the bench. “I hope you know a lot of thing* from memory,” he said. “I don’t be lieve there’s a sheet of music in the house.” Anne smiled and nodded at him, ano then began to play. She had a light touch and when she chose, rather a brilliant style' in crescendo passage:! For half an hour she filled the room with music, old and new. Then she switched suddenly to songs, accom panying herself nd singing snatches of light opera and musical comedy in a high clear soprano. Yvonne sat like one entranced. She felt her whole being responding to the music, and for the first time she feb a pang of envy for the girl who could so easily create this beauty. She loot* ed at Anne and when Anne beckoneo Richard to her side and sang for him a song popular when they had known each other six years * before, Yvonne was suddenly miserable. When she had finished this song Anne sprang to her feet looking at her wrist watch. "I’ve got to run along, folks,” she said. “I’m promised for bridge at 10 at Mrs Barton’s.” Richard looked disappointed. “Oh, I’m not taking Bob along,” she said. “I’ve go- my roadster out here and 111 .step on the gas and not be more than twenty minutes late. Had a lovely time, really.” She shook hands with Yvonne, wav ed good-byt. to Richard, nodded *j Bob and was gone almost before they realised it. The room seemed empty, for Anne twas a vivid presence, and to-night she had been at her very best. Yvonne rose from her chair and said, “I shall leave you to .alk man-talk while I go to my kitchen.” Richard smiled at her. “Run along, child,” he said. "I’ll take Bob up to my workroom and show him around.”

As they went up the stairway they could hear Yvonne rattling dishes with great vigour, 'clearing away the debris of the feast. In the study they sat smoking ..silently for a time. Then Bob spoke: “ Do you know, Dick, do you realise what a jewel you have in your wife?” “ I try to,” Dick answered drily. “ Look here, old man, we’re old friends, and I’m going to presume on it,” Bob leaned forward and placed an earnest hand on his friend’s knee, i “Yvonne is not only sweet and un-| spoiled and a d n good cook, she is a real beauty. And there is character and intelligence in her face, too. Yes. and breeding, no high-born lady could have met the awkwardness of Anne’s unexpected coming any better than vour wife did. Look here, she’s worthy of an education. Her mind can be trained. She can be taught all kinds of things. Get her some tutors. Don’t rob her of her rightful place by burying her out here under a pile of housework.” “ I don’t want her spoiled,” Dick answered slowly. “Just as she is, she is. a sweet, lovable child. I want her kept that way.” Bob looked shrewdly at his friend. “ What about the time when she becomes a woman? Grows up?” “ That’s a long way off, Bob. I can always take her back to France to live if she grows discontented here.” “YOU DON’T LOVE HER.” “ I’ll tell you one thing, old man. Bob spoke seriously. “ You may knock my block off for saying this; but the fact of the matter is that you don’t love her.” Silence followed this remark. Then Richard moved uneasily in his chair. “ Who said I did? I’m fond of her; she makes me comfortable. In France they don’t expect romantic love in a successful marriage. I’ve never pretended for a moment to love Yvonne that way.” “ But ” said Bob, blowing a long cloud of smoke, “ the devil of that is that she does love you.” Richard shook his head slowly, but made no answer. A moment later he turned the talk to other matters. Bob said no mpre about Yvonne, but as he said good-night he held her hand close and pitied her from the depths of his heart. Richard locked the door after his guest and turned to Yvonne. “ You’re a great little lady,” he said, putting his arms around her. “ I didn’t have an idea Anne was coming, or I would have insisted on your having a waitress to help you. Are you tired?” Yvonne shook her head. “ Your friend, mademoiselle, is very beautiful, very talented,” she said i slowly. “ Naturally, she’s had money spent on her education like water, ever since she was a child. She’s a hothouse flower—while you, you, Yvonne, are a flower of the field, just as lovely, and far more enduring.” Yvonne flushed under his praise and fingered the lapel of his coat. Twice she to speak and changed her mind. It was only as they paused at the top of the stairs to say good-night that she said, “ Richard, do you know something? ” “What is it, mysterious one?” he laughed, mocking her serious tone. “ Nothing,” she said, only, only that the beautiful mademoiselle is in love with you.” Richard started and stared at her. Then he said sharply: “Nonsense. We are old friends, that is all. It is not like you to be so foolish, Yvonne.” “ My heart does not speak foolishness, it knows, Richard.” Then, without another word, she went into her room. Richard started after her, changed his mind, and went to his own room. Nor did he know that Yvonne shed tears that night, her first tears since her marriage to him. YVONNE must somehow fill the lonely hours in the house. RICHARD once more buries himself in his work- YVONNE finds a friend for her loneliness, one RICHARD himself approves. It leads to tremendous changes in their later life. Follow Yvonne as she seeks an escape from the role of Cinderella. menced at Woodend. The concreting was commenced on Monday last, .and about 200 feet of the road had been completed yesterday. The contract price for the job is £19,468, of which 75 per cent is found by the Main Highways Board. CHEAPER CONSTRUCTION. From Woodend to the Ashley bridge, a distance of about four miles, the road is to be laid down in bituminous concrete, at an estimated cost of £SOOO a mile. The road from Woodend to Rangiora is also to be reconstructed, although a cheaper method is to be adopted, the estimated cost being £-3500 a mile, including the strengthening of the existing foundations of the road. Both these roads are in the Rangiora county. Plans and specifications fox the work have already been prepared, and it is probable that tenders will be invited within a month.