Omaha daily bee., 1897-04-18

And he only gives you five minutes and NJ
extension. So you and he were partnerG
once?" he said, looking curiously at the Still
youthful Barker.
But is was Mrs. Barker who answered
oh, yes, and always such good friends,
! was awfully jealous of him" Neverthe-
less, she did not respond to the affectionate
protest in Barker's eyes nor to the laugh
of Captain Heath, but glanced indifferently
around the room as If to leave further con-
versation TO the two men. 1t was possible
that she was beginning to feel that Captain
Heath was as de trop now as her husband
had been a moment before. Standing there,
however. between them both, idly tracing
a pattern on the carpet with a toe OF her
slipper, she looked %prettier than she had
ever looked as Kitty Carter. Her slight fig
ure was more fully developed. That arti-
fetal severity covering a natural virgin coy
ness with which she used to wait at table
in her fathers hotel at Boomville had gone,
and was replaced by a satisfied conscious
ness of her power to please. Her glance
was freer, but not as frank as in those days.
Her dress was undoubtedly richer and more
stylish, yet Bankers loyal heart often re-
verted fondly to the chintZ gown, coquet-
tishly frilled apron and spotless cuffs and
collar in which she had handed him his
coffee with a faint color that left his own
face crimson.
Captain Heath's tact being equal to her
Indifference, he had excused himself, al
though he was becoming interested in this
youthful husband. But Mrs. Barker. after
having asserted her husbands distinction
as the equal friend of the millionaire, was
by no means willing that the captain should
be interested in Barker for himself alone,
and did not urge him to stay. As he de-
parted she turned to her husband, and, in
dicating the group he had passed the mo-
ment before, said:
THAT horrid woman has been staring at
us all the time. l don't see what you see
in her TO admire"
Poor Barker's admiration had been lin
tied to a few words of civility in the en-
forced contact of that huge caravansary
and in his quiet, youthful recognition of her
striking personality. But he was then too
preoccupied with his interview with Stacy
to reply. and perhaps he did not quite un-
derstand his wife. 1t was odd how many
things he did not quite understand now
about Kitty, but that he knew must be his
fault. But Mrs. Barker apparently did not
require, after the fashion of her SEX, a
reply. For the next moment, as they moved
toward their rooms, she said impatiently:
We'll, you don't tell what Stacy said. Did
you get the money%'
| grieve to say that this soul of truth
and frankness lied, Only to his wife. Per
haps he considered IL only lying to him
self, a thing of which he was at times mis-
erably conscious. " ct wasn't necessary,
dear" he said; "he advised me to sell my
securities in the bank, and II you only knew
how dreadfully busy he is"
Mrs. Barker curled her pretty lip. at
don't take very long to lend $40 1000" she
said. but that's what i always tell you.
You have about made me sick by singing
the praises of those wonderful partners of
yours, and here you ask a favor OF one OF
them. and he tells YOU to sell your securi-
ties. And you know and he knows, they're
worth next to nothing
"You don't understand, dear" began
Barker.
II understand that you've given your
word TO poor Harry said Mrs. Barker in
pretty Indignation, who's responsible for
the Ditch purchase"
And | shall keep il. | always do" said
Barker. very quietly. but with that same
singular expression of face that had puz-
zleI Stacy. Bat Mrs. Barker, who, perhaps,
knew her husband better, said in an altered
voice:
But how can you, dear?"
III I'm short a thousand or two I'll ask
your father,
Mrs. Barker was silent. Fathers so very
much harried now George, why don't you
imply throw the whole thing up?'
nut I've given my word to your cousin
Henry"
Yes, but only your word. There was no
written agreement. And you couldn't even
hold him 20 g."
Barker opened his frank eyes In astlnish-
ment Her own cousin, too! And they were
very words.
BESIDES" added Mrs. Barker audaciously,
could get rid OF it elsewhere. lie had