Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-04-24

was pink. pretty and voluble with excite
ment: Stacy had a slight mask of reserve;
Barker was the only one natural and I'M
conscious.
AS the dinner progressed Barker found
there was little chance for him to invoke
mis- old partners memories of the past. He
found, however, that Stacy had received
a letter from Demorest and that he was
coming home from Europe. His letters
were still sad: they both agreed upon that.
And then fer the first time that day Stacy
looked intently at Barker with the look
that he had often worn on Heavy Tree
Hill.
Then you think it is the same old trou-
Bile that worries hiin?" said Barker, In an
awed and sympathetic voice.
Il believe it is said Stacy, with an
equal feeling. Mrs. Barker pricked up her
pretty ears: her husbands ready sympa-
thy was familiar enough. but that this
cold, practical Stacy should be moved at
anything piqued her curiosity.
And you believe that he has never got
over it?' continued Barker.
He had one chance. but he threw 1t
away said Stacy. energetically. IF. in
stead of going off to Europe by himself
to brood over it. he had joined me in bust
ness. he'd have been another man."
But not Demorest," said Barker, quick
What dreadful secret is this about De-
morest?' said Mrs. Barker, petulantly. rs
he i'll?
mon instinct. But it was Stacy Who said
No in a way that put any further ques-
tioning at an end. and Barker was CRATE
full. and for the moment disloyal to his
Kitty.
1t was with delight that Mrs. Barker
had seen that the attention at the nsxt table
was directed to them, and that even Mrs.
HorI.castle had glanced from time to time
at Stacy. But she was not prepared for
the evident equal effect that Mrs. Horn
castle had created upon Stacy. His cold
face warmed his critical eye softened; he
asked her name. Mrs. Barker was voluble,
prejCGiced, and, it seemed, misinformed.
Il know 1t ALL" said Stacy. with didactic
emphasis. Her husband was as bad as
they make them. When her life had be-
come intolerable with him he tried to make
1t shameful without him by abandoning
her. She could get a divorce a dozen times
over. but she won't"
Il suppose that's what makes her so very
attractive to gentlemen" said Mrs. Barker,
ironically.
Il have never seen her before" continued
Stacy with business precision. although /
and two other men are guardians of her
property and have saved it from the clutch
es of her husband. They told me she was
haDdsome-and so she is"
Pleased with the sudden human weakness
or Stacy, Barker glanced at his wife for
sympathy. But she was looking studiously
another way, and the young husbands eyes,
still full of his qualification, fell upon Mrs.
HorncastlSs. She looked away with a
bright color. Whereupon the saaguine
Barker-perfectly convinced that she re-
turned Stacy's admiration-was seized with
one of his old boyish dreams of the future,
and saw Stacy happily united to her, and
was only recalled 10 the dinner before him
by its end. Then Stacy duly promenade1
the great saloon with Mrs. Barker on his
arm, visited the baby in their apartments,
and took an easy leave. But he grasped
Barkers hand before parting in quite his
old fashion, and said, Come to lunch with
nd ua'n fol af
Phil Demorest,' and left Barker as happy
as IL the appointment were to confer the
favor he had that morning refused. But
Mrs. Barker. who had overheard, was
more dubious.
You don't suppose he asks you to talk
with you about Demorest and his stupid
secret. do your" she said. scornfuliy.
Perhaps not only about that" said Bar
ker. glad that she had not demanded the
secret.
Well" returned Mrs. Barker, as she
turned away. he might just as we'll lunch
here and talk about her--and see her, too"
Meantime Stacy had dropped into his
club only few squares distant His ap-
pearance created the same interest that it
mad produced at the hotel, but with less re-
serve among his fellow members
Have you heard the news?" said dozen
voices Stacy had not; he had been dining
out. e
That internal swindle of Divide rail-
read has passed the legislature"
Stacy instantly remembered Barker's ab-
surd belief in 1t and his reasons He smiled
and said carelessly. Are you quite sure it's
swindle?'
There was dead silence at the GOODNESS
OF the man who had been most outspoKen
against
But" said voice hesitatinsly. you
know 1t goes nowhere and to no purpose"
But that does not prevent it, now that
IT'S fact, from going anywhere and to
some purpose" said Stacy. turning away.
ne ne passed into the reading room quietly.
inf fV,~r al
scended by another staircase into the hall,
hurriedly put on his overcoat, and slipping
out. was moment later re-entering the
hotei. Here he hastily summoned Barker
who came down flushed and excited, Law.
ing his hand on Bankers arm In his old
dominant way, he said;