The Press., 1894-10-25

SLttHotitJ JuSC tNStUG It
 his thought, she added: "You see, it is our last affair of the season, and we are all anxious to do our duty perfectly. Will you go down with me? We can talk afterward.
 Her continued self possession utterly confused him. She had utterly confused Marion also when told that her husband was in the house. She had had present. ments, and besides she had been school ing herself for this hour for long time. She turned toward the door.
 "But,' he asked like supplicant, -four child? I want to see our child"
 She lifted her eyebrows. Then. seeing the photograph of the baby on the table, understood how ho knew. ''Come with me, then," she said, with little more feeling.
 She led the way through the hall and paused at her door, Remember that we have to appear among the guests di- rectly," she said, as though to warn him against any demonstration. Then they entered. She went over to the cot and drew back the fleecy curtain from over the sleeping boy S head. His fingers hungered to take his child to his arms. ''He is magnificent, magnifcentr' he said, with a great pride. Why did you never let me know of it?'
 How could I tell what you would do?" she calmly replied. "You married me wickedly and used me wickedly afterward. and loved the child" "You loved the childW he repeated after her. "Lali,' he said, II don't de- serve it, but forgive me, if you can for the child's sake. "
 I've had better go below" she calm | ly replied. We have both duties to do 1 You will of course appear with me before them?'
 The slight irony in the tone cut hin horribly. He offered his arm in silence They passed into the hall and to tho staircase. "It is necessary. she said, "to appear cheerful before one's guests. !"
 She had him at all advantage at every point. I've will be cheerful, then. " was his reply, spoken with grim kind of humor. "You have learned it all, haven't you?" he added
 l They were just entering the ballroom. "Yes, with your kind help-and ab. sence," she replied.
 The surprise of the guests was some- what diminished by the fact that Ma rion, telling General Armour and his wife first of Franks return, industri- ously sent the news buzzing about the room.
 The two went straight to Franks fa- ther and mother Their parts were all excellently played Then Frank mingled among the guests, being very heartily all sides. Old club friends rallied him as deserter and new acquaintances flocked about him, and presently he awakened to the fact that his Indian wife had been an interest of the season and was not the least admired person present. It was altogether too good luck for him, but he had an uncomfortable conviction that he had a long path of penance to walk before he could hope to enjoy it.
 All at once he met Lady Haldwell, who, in spite of all, still accepted in- vitations to General Armour's house, the strange scene between Lali and her self having never been disclosed to the family. He had nothing but bitterness in his heart for her, but he spoke few smooth words, and she languidly con- graduated him on his bronzed appear ance. He asked for dance, but she had not one to give him. AS she was leav- ing she suddenly turned as though she had forgotten something, and looking at him said: 1T forgot to congratulate you on your marriage. I hope 1t is not too late. !"
 He bowed. "Your congratulations are so sincere, " he said, "that they would be apropos late or early"
 When he stood with his wife while the guests were leaving and saw with what manner she carried it all off-as though she had been born in the good land of good breeding-he was moved alternately with wonder and shame shame that he had intended this noble creature as a sacrifice to his ugly tenn per and spite. When all the guests were gone and the family stood alone in the drawing room, a silence suddenly fell among them. Presently Marion said tc her mother in half whisper, 1T wish Richard were here.'' l They all Ielt the eXCr0me aWkWaTd' ness of the situation, especially when Lali bade General Armour, Mrs. Ar mour and Marion good night and then, turning to her husband, said, "Good night. She did not even speak his name. Perhaps you would care to ride tomorrow morning. I always go to the park at 10, and this will be my last ride of the season.
 Had she written out an elaborate proclamation of her intended attitude toward her husband it could not have more clearly conveyed her mind than this little speech, delivered as to most l friendly acquaintance. General Armour