New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-08-09

ing to leave you to sulk by yourseit the 'es' VI
the day Expect me when you see me.
Archie crushed the note into his pocket as ne
went and summoned Mr. Lloyd.
For once in his life the chief was awed into
respectful silence In the presence or the uehu
In truth he felt wretchedly cowardly ana nav.
ing sent post haste for the doctor ara ordered
Mr. Frckes body to be laid on long chair, ne
would willingly have cleared out to the CLUB for
nick-me-up had he not been restrained by
wholesome fear Of what the world would say
And. pacing UP and down the passage OUTSIDE
Mr. Freke's office, there crowded In upon MN al
the unpleasant scenes he would nave 10 ~
through In connection with this disaster. one at
least he could avoid, and he would Orquhar'
should go and break the news TO Eva rreke -,
II don't suppose he'll mind the commission.
Mr. Lloyd salved his conscience by saying this
to himself. Then he called Archie. ana paoe
him go forth
Arches face was very white. and his teeth
set hard as he came out OF the dead man room.
Poor Freke Good fellow now-now, when IL was
too late. He had neglected him-they all had
neglected him-all but Lima Poor Eva VINO haa
been so anxious about MIN few days since:
how hard It was that he, whom she had calied
her best friend, should deal her this blow! But,
after all, rather he than any one else, rather
even than Lima. Thus he went
"MiJsissy no can see.
The boy almost shut the door In his face. But
Archie CONTEMPORARY thrust him aside and
flung the door wide open
"Mississv must see" he said inperatively.
"Takey he come drawing room chop-chop
The awful look in Archie's eyes vanquished
walked through the passage. and tapped at tn"
drawing room door.
"Mississy no got that side" said the hoy, with
a diabolical grin. "Missssy just now chow-chow
breakfast" .
And he pointed to the dining room door. Archie
opened the door and went in
There sat Eva at the breakfast table. the poor
Eva he had come to comfort Tor her HUSBAND
death.
Eva was It. indeed? Archie saw before him a
young woman, dirty. untidy. clad In torn morn
Ing wrapper Her curls, those sweet little curis.
quite natural" which peeped under her broad
brlmmed hat and around her little ears. were
concealed by huge safety pins. which left her
face bare and unshaded. Did Eva at home. then.
wear wrappers that were pinned together| Did
she leave her husband to breakfast alone-she-
Eva, who had so pitied Archis when Lima had
been laid up? Archie caught himself up IN haste'
With shame he remembered that while MS sole
thought ought to have been how 10 soften the
shock he had to give her. while he ought to have
considered nothing but the awful news he had
brought he had been criticising the unfortunate
girl. But still
Mr.. Urquhartr
Eva's astonished voice brought Archie fully 10
himself He looked her. to gain courage for his
tale but the look was too much. He had never
realized before-he scarcely realized now-now
much admiration for Eva's person mad swayed
his affection for her. The Eva VINO nad Deeh
such fun" was not the Eva or this morning.
This was the dead mans wife. the wife who mad
written that note he held in his hand, the wire
who chow often they had laughed over IL To-
getherD had cured" her husband Of his HARM
less hobby Those patent hair-cVrlers were grip
ping his ina gination tight. Never-never more
could Eva Freke be to him what she had been.
The look on that still face in the office had burnt
itself into Archie's brain.
And so he told her the news quety-gently, II
Is true but not tenderly with his eyes averted.
gazing at blank wall She did not interrupt
him; there were no floods Of tears, Mysteries,
no fainting She only asked
Must they bring him here?"
Arches eyes travelled back to her face. The
curlers were gone Eya's fluffy hair strayed once
more enchantingly over her face While he had
been telling her this tragedy she had been quietly
arranging her toilet
Archie rose and took up his hat.
II will go and inquire. Mrs. Freke. Perhaps
you had better burn this. which found in your
husbands hand"
And with the slightest inclination Of his head,
Archie ITrquhart passed forever out of Eva
Freke's life.-(Temple Bar