The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-04-19

1t is plain that he has lost himself amongst
the many papers that surround BIN. To
his wife, however. it is only plain that he
Is distinctly careless of her, and wanting
In every courtesy.
'.If it has come to this, - says she, that
You can't spare me moment
Ny dear child? What?" He pushes
back his papers with an unmistakable air
of impotence. ..What is it? I'm ex-
tremely busy, but-well-go on. Tell me !!
Cook as usual! Really, that woman is the
worry of your life. Must be dismissed at
oncer'
''Oh, not that mani"
sNaid, them"
81 am not thinking of parlor maids, -
says Mrs. Blount. with rising wrath.
no? Then it must be your aunt.
What has Lady Paulton been doing this
timer
"She has been doing nothing"
who has, then 2"
Mrs. Daltonr' breaking out against her
will into the honest truth, as she sees il.
MAY ask, Godfrey. what you were doing
at her house from II to today?''
lob, nonsense, says Mr.. Blount, impa-
tientiy. taking up his pen again, and shak-
ing his shoulders into position, as if to
commence work afresh. s.If it is to gossip
You want you must wait till this evening.
Go away now, there's good girl, and let
Mrs. Blount, as if stunned, stares at him
for second or so, then slowly leaves the
room.
go away, like good girl. Go away"
The last words seem TO ring in her ears.
II she took him at his word and went away
for ever, would he care? Would he not
rather rejoice? 1t would leave him tree to
to Mrs. Dalton.
He had hardly looked at her. He was
busy. Not too busy, however, to spend
hours with Mrs. Dalton. He had dis
tlnctiy refused to answer her question
about what he was doing in that-hateful
woman's house. She had reached her own
pretty sitting-room by this time and
thrown herself into a chair with the morn
ing paper before her. Instinctively her
eyes ran down It, yet without seeing it
consciously. Her brain is on fire: yes he
had absolutely refused to answer that
question?
And in what mean way he had mt
her on. This evening he would gossip
with her; that is, give his version of the
story He wanted time to think it over
an ana invent plausible tale. Child" as
ne called her, he had yet no lie ready on
his lips wherewith 10 deceive her. She
will show him that she is no child.
Oh. How different he used to he I
Once! Once surely he had loved her If
he hadn't loved her why had he married
herr Yes, he had loved her; she could
not be mistaken about that. But lately,
ever since they had returned to town. he
had changed, and Ii was that woman. of
course. He was always busy now.
Busy thinking of Mrs. Dalton, no doubt.
And this Mrs. Dalton! What kind of a
woman could she be to make so unhappv
another woman who had never injured
her. She has seen her She, Mrs. Dali
ton. had not looked wicked. A sudden
longing TO go and see her-to-not to
throw herself on her knees, but TO try IN
create pity in her breast, to induce her
without actually telling her ANYTHING
about Godfrey, 10 withdraw her influence
from him and leave him 10 his wife lthis
poor little wife who loves him in spite Of
everythingl fills her breast. Tears rising
In her eyes. she frowns them back. and
again stares at the paper. go away" he
had said. Why not go? Why stay here
wearing her heart ont? Why not leave him
at once before things grew worse between
Them He has tired of her. They always
SAID she was too Young for him. Aunfie
had limited at il again today.
To goawayi But wheref Wherep Her
eyes, that have been wandering ceaselessIy
up and down the paper, now rest on q
paragraph, an advertisement
"Wanted-A parlor-maid." She S..r.s
at this one line as if fascinated, as if NOT
caring 10 go farther; but presently her
eyes wander downward Apply 10 I
Singleton. go, The Laurels, Helstead.
Hampshire"
A parior-maid' Oh, impossible and
yet-well. She viii go to see this Mrs.
'aiton mrs at all events, and if she fails
her. Why then, Them
She could be better parlor-maid than
Jane. certainly.
Early next morning. still thinking. with
tns desire 10 put her idea of seeing Mrs.
that Iady's house and knocks AT the
door. Ii Is opened by a servant. who
looks unnsryed and anxious. Asked