New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-06-17

fusion Mrs Arpeby came In, followed by her
husband who. despite the fauluessness or his
attire and the perfection or his address betrayed
npryolsness Several OF the other boarders rushed
downstairs and two came in from OUTSIDE drip
ping wet. choosing 10 herd with their Fellow
beings until the storm was over rather than go
10 their rooms and put on dry clothes. The
lightning played around them with terrifying
magnity one Of the thunderclaps came slmul-
taneousy with the flash. and for moment
they thought the cottage had been struck After
ward they found 1t had splintered one side or
barnltwo miles away The storm maintained us
ferceness for about half hour. and then the
thunder grew intermittent and the rain poured
down In n steady stream
While they were just feeling the delicious re-
lief that sometimes follows nervous strain
they heard sharp rap on the front door. Ger
aid rushed to open It. and they listened TO hear
who It could be that had come In such weather:
They heard voice ask; lis MI w ,an ner ana
both looked startled. Before they had Tune TO
speak however Mrs. Webb stood at me door
Of the parlor. She was muified from mead 70
foot in n heavy cloak and her face shrouded In
n kind Of hood. was deathly white; her Dark eyes
were cleaning with excitement She looked
around the ROOM and as soon as sne sa,. Eve
lyn she cried. Where is my husband:
EVELYN turned pale. She rose from her seat
and said weakly: IT don't know. I think
he NJ, coh,
asserting herself with an effort. But I'm sure
he's all right. They have professional seaman
with them" The expression. protessionaI sea.
n
they all recognized It as desperate invenuon
Of Mrs. COINS made to reassure the excited
woman before them 49,, 49,, ~
Hes probably drowned ny 'hiS 'iiiie' N~
" "Iu, smrs he IS not" Mrs Cohn replied. DO
sit down won't you. Mrs. Webb? Aren't you wet
through" ,.s
The Coffev sisters were staring at the intruder
with open-eyed surprise; Madge and the boys
looked bewildered
ct don't care whether I'm wet through or not"
cried Mrs Webb. II want my husband He's
gone off in that yacht with some or your actor
friends Miss Johnson You are TO blame ior ~.
done such a thing before in his life To leave
me at such a time and go off with lot OF ois-
reputable characters! .., g., -.r,,
n This outburst She filed with shame:
she wondered why she didn't feel resentment; u
was probably because she pitled MTG. MsoS
more than she pited herself. Mrs conn looKeo
utterly helpless; her tact was not equal 10 such
an emergency as this. An ominous Silence per
vaded the room. 1t was MrS' 'Nppieoy WI"
spoke UP at last: -.
i"I can't have YOU talk so to one Of my guests
7 want YOU 10 understand, Mrs. Webb. that MISS
Johnson is lady, though she is an 1 actress. . AN
I don't care who you are. either. fou nave ITO
right to come here and talk So ,,
Mrs Webb glanced calmly at Mrs Appeoys
portly figure she didn't deign 10 reply; MI
Appleby. who was sitting beside his wife. had
shrunk into we-dressed insignihcance; since
his entrance into the room he seemed to nave
grown much smaller 49,, -.
Mrs Webb turning TO Mrs. Cohn and speaking
more calmly. But as he isn't III go down 70
the beach and see II can't find out something
about him there" A..
"Won't you let of the boys go for your
cried Mrs Cohn. You'll catch cold, I'm afraid.
Roscoe you'll go. won't your"
mo. I'll go myself. l can't rest easy I'LL I
get news. Some Of the yachts must have gone
over in this storm
go with her. Roscoe. Go with her." cried
Mrs. Cohn despera tey, as Mrs. Webb turned to
leave the house.
Roscoe hesitated for moment. Then he
rushed from the room seized his hat from the
rack In the hall, and without stopping to take
an umbrella, hurried out or the front door Into
the rain.
Go be contnuedl