The Washington times., 1894-08-26
SoTn0thing Wrong
SOnn6Wh6r0,
LBT JEssIE II. E. sAxBY, Author Of 1.-THE Lads
Of lznda," etc.l
CHAPTER I


There's something wrong in that house,
said to myself, after L got into my study,
and sat down 10 smoke pipe before going 10
bed.
had been dining at the house Of patient,
Cecil Harrington, and had spent very pleas
ant evening, notwithstanding the impression
had carried away OF something wrong.
am afraid we doctors contract habit Of
suspecting the family cupboard Of containing
skeleton when the livers, brains, or blood of
the household do not explain to our entire
satisfaction the gloom On one members fore
head. the sigh half suppressed on the lips OF
another, the temper on edge, the Mysteries,
the covert glsnces, the red eyelids, the
guarded speech. We know better than either
clergymen or lawyer how much OF physical
disease is the direct product Of wrong done
somewhere, and we soon learn, when study
ing lease, to take fer granted. in a large
measure that the root OF an obscure CON-
plant springs from somebody's sin.
The little party OF six around Mr.. Harring-
tons dinner-table had been what one might
call family party. There was our host. Just
recovered from slight but tedious illness,
which had worried me more than / liked to
acknowledge, because il seemed so trifing
and yet would not be exercised as readily as
expected. The seat at the head of the table
was chGrmingly filed by Mrs. Harrington,
young, beautiful, and possessed Of a pretty
pensive manner which had curious fascna-
tion in it. / occupied the seat on her right
hand. Mr.. Hsrrington's cousin, Amory
Rhodes, a handsome, dark-eyed American,
was on her left. Two brothers OF Mrs Har-
rington, home from abroad for few days,
were on either SIDE OF Cecil.
Although had not been many month"; In
the city Of Hartford / had known Harrington
before. for we had been at college together,
and, though never very confidential. had vet
liked each other enough to reach that point
in friendship whore titles and surnames cease
70 be used, and We were Cecil and ed
win" TO each other.
The talk around the table was blithe and
general, and all were in good spirits; yet
once when I asked question of my fair
hostess she replied at random. and when |
looked At her ineuiringly / noticed a curious.
frightened expression in her eyes which were
turned on Amory Rhodes al the moment
The expression Of his eyes / could hot mis-
take; 1t was look Of pity and tenderness and
profound admiration. The impression made
on my mind was gone in a moment but il
came back later 10 add its weight to other
things.
Mn. Harrington's brothers left the table
With her. and Mr.. Rhodes fell into brown
small talk.
We were evidently not a congenial trio at
that time and soon rose to follow the others
90 the drawinG-room. Rhodes got up with
GlRcrity, and as we walked TO the door our
host whispered to me, "A word. please,
Edwin" His cousin went out at once and
Harm gton said 10 me quickly: II want TO
see you alone, and at your house-not here:
nx time-soon, Edwin, soon, for heavens
sake"
Tomorrow evening after s-will that do?'
BE nodded. As we assembled The stsirs,
asked: ''Are you feeling unwell again? You
look very well tonight"
II am quite we'll It's not that I'll tell
you all tomorrow" and he looked at me with
so much misery in his face that was com
pletely startled. But he did not mean me TO
ask another question, so went up the rest of
the stairs three steps at each bound, and
opened the drawingroom door for me. reveal
ing Mrs. Harrington standing on the hearth
rug with her face lit by a most beautiful smile,
which was shining full on Amory Rhodes
She had evidently risen from a seat between
her young brothers to greet him, and possibly
had not expected our sudden and immediate
entrance after his.
Certain it was that the moment we came in
abe dropped into her seat again with shrink
ing air and the smile gave place TO that pen
sive expression / spoke Of, which added so
much 10 her charm but certainly made me
think, "She has sorrowful secret in her
heart
/ had seen very little Of Mrs. Harrington
until the occasion Of her husbands illness
threw us a good deal together, and during
that time was greatly pleased with the affec-
ton and solicifude she displayed toward him.
Nothing could exceed her attention, which he
repaid with most lovely devotion. They had
been married five years, but they seemed as
tend Of each other as II it were still honey
Szeon dETI Etth thSn, il.