Evening star., 1897-05-08
Chapter III II-COnfinucd From Last
Saturday..

Chapter III continued From Last
Saturday.
He was obliged to look up at her as he
rose. Mrs. Horncastle was sitting erect,
beautiful and dazzling as even he had new
er seen her before. For his resolution had
suddenly lifted a great weight from her
shoulders-the dangerous meeting OF hus-
hand and wife the next morning. and its
results whatever they might be, had been
quietly averted She felt, too, half
frightened joy even in the constrained
manner in which he had impaired his de-
termination. That frankness which even
she had sometimes found SO crushing, was
gone.
Il really think you are quite right" she
said, rising also, "and besides, you see. it
will give me a chance to talk to her as you
wished
ITO talk to her as L wished" echoed Bar
ker, abstractedly.
Yes. about Van Loo, you know said
Mrs. Horncastle. smiling.
''Oh. certainly about Van Loo, of course"
he returned, hurriedly.
And then" said Mrs. Horncastle. bright
ly. I'll tell her. Stay" she interrupted
herself hurriediy. Why need 1 say any
thing about your having been here at all?
1t might only annoy her, you yourself
suggest She stopped breathlessly, with
parted lips.
why. indeed?' said Barker. vaguely.
Yet al this was so unlike his usual truth
fuiness that he slightly hesitated.
Besides, continued Mrs. Horncastle, no.
ticins il. you know you can always tell
her later if necessary And she added,
with charming mischievousness. 'as she
didn't tell you she was coming, / really
don't see why you are bound to tell her
that you were here"
The sophistry pleased Barker. even
though it put him into certain retalia ting
attitude toward his wife which he was not
aware OF feeling. But Mrs Horncastle
put it, it was only playful attitude.
Certainly, he said. Don't say anything
about it
broad-brimmed hat swinging between his
fingers. She noticed for the first time that
he looked taller in his long black serape
and riding boots. and. oddly enough. much
more Ike the hero of amorous tryst
than Van Loo. Il know" she said bright
ly, you are eager to get back to your old
friend. ard il wouid be selfish for me to
try to Keep you longer. You have had a
stupid evening, but you have made il pleas
ant 10 me by telling me what you thought
of me. And before you go l want you to
believe that | shall try to keep that good
OpiriOr,' She spoke frankly in contrast
TO the slightly worldly constraint of Bark
ers maELer. it seemed if they had
changed characters. And then she ex-
tended her hand.
With a low bow. and without looking I'D
he took it. Again their pulses seemed to
leap together with one accord and the
same mysterious UNDERSTANDING He could
not tell II he had unConsciously pressed her
hand, or if she had returned the pressure
But when their haLds uncIasped it seemed
as If 1t We're the division of one flesh and
spirit.
She remained standing by the open door
until hiS footsteps passed down the stair
case Then she suddenly closed and locke
the door. with an instinct that Mrs Barker
might al once return now that he was
gone and she wished to be moment alone
10 recover herself. But she presently
opened IL again and listened
mere was noise in the courtyard but
~ sounded ike the rattle of wheels more
tnan Ike the clatter of horseman Then
she was overcome. sudden sense of pity
for the unfortunate woman still hiding
Ire m her husband. and felt a momentary
criVa!rods exaltation of spirit. Certainly
she .a1t. mad mad done good to that wretched
Kitty: PERHAPS she had earned the epi-
tnet that Barker had applied to her Per
hdps trat was the meaning of all this hap-
pll.es5 to her. and the result was to be
the wife and husband This was to be her
reward ! arieve to say that tears had
come into her beautiful eyes at this salts
factory conclusion. but she dashed them
away and ran out into the hall. 1t was
quite dark, but there was a faint sl:mmer
en- the opposite wall. If the door of Mrs
Barkers bed room was ajar TO an eager
listener. She few toward the giimmer
and pushed the door open; the room was
empty Empty of Mrs. Barker, empty
OF her dressing box. ner reticule and sha wi
She was gone.
Still Mrs Horncastle fingered: the woman
might have gOt frightened and retreated
10 some further room at the opening of
the door and the coming of her husband.
She walked along the passage, calling Ter
name softly. She even penetrated the
dreary half-lit public parIor. expecting to
find her crouching there. Then sudden
Wild idea took possession of her; the mis-