The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-03-02
answered, smiling, "but fortune oup
runs even my hopes sometimes"

runs even my hopes sometimes.
He was charming, that was certain;
but II was equally certain that he was
not communicative. Marcia wished
she had not begun her silly joke about
Fred. She shrank from owning to il
now; ID would sound so foolish.
Supper went on; food, wine and serv-
ice were excellent. BY the end of the
meal. when Joseph brought coffee and
finally withdrew, Marcia was in radi.
ant spirits. She had forgotten poor
| Fred, still out in the rain; she had for.
| gotten the rather unconventional ma
ture OF her visit; she had forgotten
even the curious readiness of every
| thing in the blue room. Undoubtedly
| Noel Forester was charming; and she
| thought that she herself had been very
agreeable.
Marriage Is a very pleasant condf
tion," remarked Mr.. Forester. sud.
denly.
"oh-er-yes, very" murmured Mar
| cia.
Provided" he continued, "that per.
feet confidence reigns between husband
and wife. L have always insisted on
that mean l should always insist on
ii If the occasion arose. It's essential. -
"0f course it's NICE" said Marcia
III should require it from my wife"
Mr.. Forester went on. 'Tm very easy
going, but do like TO be- trusted.
Don't you. Mrs. Nettleton2 But I'm sure
your husband must trust you implic.
lily"
"He never says he doesn't, murmured
Marcia, hiding a smile.
II happen TO object very much to bc
ing questioned" said Mr.. Forester
"My servants never question me;
dent allow my friends to question me,
Most questions, Mrs. Nettleton, are
either superfluous. or impertinent, OF
both. Have you observed that?"
"Yes, they are, most of them," said
Marcia.
$50 none are asked in this house. Let
me put your cup down for YOU"
He rose, but, by evil chance, as Marcia
handed him her cup, she upset it in the
saucer; few drops fell on her gown
With cry of dismay she began dab
bing at the stuff with her handlSer.
chief.
81 hope I haven't spoilt this lovely
gown" she exclaimed. Its owner
would never forgive me-"
Il assure you / should forgive yo.
much worse things than that" smiled
Mr.. Forester.
Marcia stared at HIM for a moment.
He would not wear a red tea-gown. But
"a question rose to her lips. She re-
membered his objections and paused.
Besides, she did not wish TO set going M.
exchange of questions; it might end in
her own detection,
"A gown more or less Is no great mat.
ter" said he, Struggling his shoulders
But this is such a lovely one"
81 hope it fits you?"
"It's little-just little-tight,'
she murmured.
. "Ah, figures do differ" he remarked.
That's inevitable, you know"
Marcia's high spirits began to be
dashed by n vague uneasiness; the dis
trust which had assailed her as she fol
lowed Susan to the blue room revived
1t was nearly ten o'clock; surely Fred |
would make his appearance soonl The |
position become embarrassing to her |
She had to admit that no such feeling |
was displayed by her host. He had oh. |
tanned her permission to light q cigar.
cite and was smoking composedly.
How funny it would look if any
body found me here" she said, forcing |
a smile. "But of course nobody vii. |
come now" Her assertion masked a
question; did he expect another guesti
IL don't know about that" observed
Mr.. Forester, smiling. II didn't ex.
pect you, you know; but you came all
the same. So somebody else might"
I'm sure hope nobody will"
Except your husband?" ho half
asked, half reminded her.
"Ob, except Fred, of course" she
agreed, hastily.
His eyes dwelt refectively on her face
for a moment.
Except Fred, I mean," he remarked
with his pleasant smile. But Marcia,
10 her horror, felt herself blushing;
Had he guessed her deception? And il
ne had-heavens, what might the man
think or not think? At the cost OF
some humiliation she determined 70
confess her joke and put matters on a
proper footing. She would look very
silly, but that penalty must be faced.
"Mr. Forester" she began, timidly
tt think ought 60 say"
"Hark!" said Forester, raising his
land. II hear wheels"
"Oh. it's Fred! How glad I ami"
,ried Marcia. "Do let me run and open
he door for him." She rose TO her
'eet. Her host followed her example
Ind stood with his back to the fire.
"You can open the door If you wish
T." said he. Ticking of the ash of his
cigarette. But I'm afraid you'll bs
"Disappointed?"
IL mean you won't find your hus-
and. Oh, don't be distressed. The
IAN will take fresh horse and go in