Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-11-18

cheerful and unabashed cherry color.
Olo houses. Well built and plain; new hous-
es, poorly built and pretenuous OF peaks
and paint and porches; outlying factories;
green nelds cut through with a railway in
process OF building-these things came dim
~ TO Mrs. Siatterlys confused percep-
ly remembered that 1t was ABOUT the nour of
noon, ana that these human creatures were
probably gong home to dinner.
A neat little woman in a lilac print gown
called out a greeting as Sne paused outside
Mrs. SlatterlyS fence.
how you been?' she asked, surveying
the solldIy poised old tgure with the grim
face. u haven't seen you or Sophia tor a
week. All we'll? That's good. KIND Of fun
ny bout Miles Clinton, amt ity'
Mrs. Slatterlys eyes grew piercing. Fun
ny! she repeated. Il must say l don't see
anythang very funny about sad and mys-
Law. well!' laughed the other; you
haven't heard. thenT She opened the gate
and with small cautious steps came conf
dentially closer. He's back" she said.
Mrs. Slatterly's face assumed wild sort
OF look. ''Back?" she stammered.
YES m And the funny part is that he's
brought wife with him-a little bit OF
black-eyed thing. l saw 'em pass in the
bus. They came on an early express this
morning. From what his aunt says, II
seems that Miles met her last fall in Texas
the time he was down there on business
for the pulp mill. Case of love at first sight,
l guess. Her folks own a ranch down there
1t seems that the girl has a step-mother
she didn't get along with; and from what
Miles aunt says things got real serious be-
tween the two women. They had a misun-
Outstanding, and the girl she wrote for
Miles, l suppose he thought things were
worse than they were, for he just stopped
long enough to drop line to his aunt and
then rushed off to the train. But the boy
he gave the note to never delivered it at all.
They say that Miles was completely took
back to find what a tow-row folks had been
L. fv.rx 4
would send word to the pulp mill and every
thing would be all right. They say he's
completely wrapped up in his wife-little
Merchandising thing she Is! You're look
real strong out here Maybe you better go
in where it's COOL"
Mrs. Slatterly made an effort to speak
steadily. "I-believe 1 WILL she said
The little woman in lilac tripped away. |
Mrs. Slatterly watched her go. She felt
overpowered at the hideous complication az
fairs were manifesting. How should she
tell Sophia? For Sophia must be told, and
told at once, of Clinton's perfidy. If the
tidings had been a definite assurance of his
death Mrs. Slatterly felt that her task
would have been easier. But wife! A
wife! How should she tell Sophia? She
moved heavily toward the door, staying her |
self by the porch rail as she went. Every |
thing seemed as IL moving. Strange whir- |
ring noises sounded in her ear. A blur of |
burning crimson appeared to rise before her |
as she drew herself over the door-sill.
And that-was that figure rushing down |
stairs-a light, buoyant figure in whirl of !
summer muslin? Mrs. Slatterly stared up /
at 1t with a sense Of dreaming
Sophia, coming nearer, wore a beaming
face whose cheeks were swept with pink |
Sophia's lips were smiling; Sophia's eyes
Her mother drew quick breath.
Sophia" she said, listen. Listen to me
Sophia"
I've heard 1t ALL" cried Sophia. ..A1y
window was up. I've heard it ALL He's |
back. Oh, mother |
Sophia, listen. You don't understand. Oh. |
l cant tell her! 1 can't. Sophia. he's-hes |
Yes mother. told you 1 heard it all. |
It's you who do not understand. Mother, I |
nave deceived you. I'm ashamed to say it. |
put have. l am very wicked girl but |
I've suffered for 1t terribly this last week.
l couldn't have kept It up much Longer
IHon1 oont you see how it was? ! didn't |
You said that II 1 cared for any one else-I
don't you remember? And tust then father
came In, and it darted into my mind that IL |
cared for him. And before I'd considered
the ldea you jumped to your own conclu-
slons. And afterward 1 was so afraid he'd |
come PACK began to feel absolutely guilty. |
almost as II wished that he was really
sandbagged and thrown into the river And |
you-oh, mother, when you were so kind
ana gentle to me that nearly killed mel
Ana when / heard he was back and mar.
ried, my heart leaped. for 1 knew then 7
must tell you everything"
Sophia"
everything. mother. For I wasn't going
TO see you grieve because you thought INV
neart was broken. Are you angry? Are
you. mother? Are you? Oh don't ber'
she gave little nervous sob and Nuno
hid her face there anu
~; Mrs. Slatterly drew a breath. IT guess
! IL De angry after a WHILE" she said. "but
JUST now IT seems as If was more Relieved
man anything else. "-From Haruer.s Week.
ly, copyright 1893 by Harper & Rros -