The morning call., 1894-07-08

t.
In the House; she stopped forward to look
for hin; in his accustomed place. Yes,
there he sat below the gangway. Were
not his eyes wandering to the gallery !?
10 particular point in the grlle2 From
that particular point was not the opera
glass turned TO the benches below the
gangway? Mrs. Borton's long-established
confidence in the grille vanished all at
once. shattered by the first shock. Surely
| the girls white vest and bright necktle
could be seen through the bars from the
House below. Might not such things be
used as Signalsp
Mrs. Burton could hardly sit calmly
through the peroraton of the speech now
drawing to its conclusion. She had long
before decided TO send for MIR. Borton ;
not to await his arrival in the gallery at
the appointed hour-for. of course, he had
an appointed hour-wth that girl.
The leader of the opposition at last sat
down while the cheers of his supporters
were still ringing through the House, MIS-.
B0rton sent for her husband.
She was in the passage outside when he
arrived. Her jealous eyes quickly de-
tected his disturbed air. \ o doubt he would
pretend that anxiety on her account eX-
planned it. She received his expressions
of surprise and remonstraDces at her un-
expected appearance in the House wit th a
glacial smile which soon brought them to
an abrupt end.
what is it? What's the matter?" Mr..
Borton inquired.
II have come here to meet Mabel Smith. !"
us she not here?"
Mrs. Borton's lip curled with scorn."
After this morning your powers OF act
ing do not surprise me-"
Borton looked hard at his wife. She
could see that be was Disconnected.
"ActIng! he exclaimed. "My darling.
/ don't understand. Is your poor head"
"Quite clear" she interrupted. "Yes,
it never before was so clear. You need
not carry deceit so far as to pretend that
you think me crazy"
MY darling. do explain" he said sooth-
ingly. Il am guile iu the dark. Is Mabel
Smith not here? And. if so, why is it
matter of any importauce?"
Tine person to whom you have given her
place is. in my eyes, matter of very great
Importance"
a change certainly came over Mr.. Bor-
toms face. sudden look OF alarm.
"rhere" Mrs. Borton exclaimed, "you
see, know all. Perhaps you will confess.
now that you are found out" Her voice
had 3epsibly risen. Borton hastily seized
his wfe's arm. For heavens sake, take
care" he whispered. Don't make scene
here. Some one is coming.
Mrs. B0rtOD, recoiing from his touch in
Indignation, turned round. She was within
view of the door of the ladies' gallery. On
its threshold stood The subject of her con-
Versation just parting from Wilkins, who
was waving her in the direction where the
BOr0nS were standing.
The girl made a few steps forward
graceful, gliding steps. In her wrath,
probably to the increase of it, Mrs. Borton
recognized that the approaching figure was
undenably attractive. On sudden the
girl paused, her eyes, which before had
been fixed on Mr. B0rton, now turning to
his wife. The latter, with wild culver
of jealousy, watched the vivid color mount
to the very roots of the golden hair. The
girl stood there, hesitating, in visible con-
fusion. For moment only in the next,
with dOwRcast eyes that looked neither to
the right nor left, and with q still deeper
blush, she passed quickly on and vanished
down the corridor.
Now; what do you say to that?" Mrs.
Borton had turned and was facing her
husband with angry eyes. Was not the
unmistakable start he gave further cor
roboration of his guilt? Nevertheless he
still affected not to understand.
"DO you attempt to deny that you gave
that girl place in the gallery day ?'
"What girl ?" he had the audacty 10 ask,
with an air of bewiderment that could lot
have been surpassed IN apparent sincerity
by the most bewildered man in the world.
THE one who went by just now? never
in my life saw her before"
At the moment Wilkins chanced to ap-
pear in the passage. Mrs. Borton beck
oned to HIM.
"Wil you tell Mr.. Borton," she said
sweetly, addressing the official. 'about the
lady who has his place in the gallery ?"
Have you not met her?" he inquired,
in surprise. "She came out here to look
for Mr.. Borton. l told the lady that she
would find you outside" He turned to
MIR. Borton, did she miss you?''
''Yes-no. It's no matter" said Borton,
hastily.
'She only left the gallery few mo-
ments ago, and must be still in the House.
Shall go in search of her?"
mo, no. It's all right. It's of no con-
sequence. Thanks. very much, Wilkins,
but | won't trouble YOU"
'Nowp' repeaed Mrs, Borton, in tone
of indescribable wrath, when Wilkins had
taken his departure, this is the person
whom you never saw before in your life !
She was very quick in taking hint, on
seeing me; but not quite quick enough.
You aud she are complete strangers to each
other? That accounts for her blush, of
course. You nave managed the whole
thing so well. | wonderyou did not manage
Wilkins too"
Borton was looking closely at his wife.
Amid the various expressions which had
crossed his face 10 quick succession, annoy
ance was now beginning to take a promi-
nent place.
What the ID do you mean," he sud-
denly broke out, "by trying to compromise
me and make scene in this place? Are
you mad? For heavens sake come away
and explain yonrsef?"
Come away! Never with you; never
again."
Borton changed his tone at once, becom-
ing keenly aware of the danger in losing
his own temper, with Mrs. Borton in such
excitement.
MARIA" he began appealingly, ''do be
reasonable. Listen to me-quietly, darling
do listen to me-" The soothing voice
avalled nothing; the signs were unmis-
taxable that Mrs. Borton did not incline
to an attitude of quiet listening.
''Do not attempt to address me in that
way" she burst forth, the fire of Jealous
wrath flashing fiercely from her eyes, "to
add insult to injury. Do not dare"
But BOrt0n was not destined, on this oc-
casiOD, 10 hear from what particular form
of daring he was to be cut off. The public
affairs, TO the conduct of which he had
long given such patient devotion, unex-
pectedly came to his assistance in this
domestic crisis. The appearance of the
Government Junior Whip flying along the
corridor and wildly signaling to MIN,
brought Mrs. Burton's outburst to sudden
stop. There was amOmentary interchange
of mysterious whispers between the two
men. hurried APOLOGY from the new
conner to Mrs. Borton, in an instant the
irate lady found herself alone in solitary
possession of the long corridor.
In private. as in public affairs, Borton
always boldly confronted the situation;
therefore the early division Dermittinp it