The morning times., 1897-01-31

his overcoats now" While speaking she
slipped across the room and lifted a mass
of dark broadcloth, holding ii aloft.
why, yes 3" said Marion raising her quiet
brows in surprise. "IIe came back this
morning after leaving for downtown and
ordered thicker one Of Strayne because of
the changed weather. strayne must have
left it there. He's a good servant enough,
but he has his careless moods"
Agnes, with another odd laugh, thrust
her band into one OF the pockets. You've
no fear Of finding anything, you irritat-
ingly happy Marion. You are
Suddenly she paused She mad drawn
forth a lilac tinted envelope, which had
been r&ggedly torn openat one OF its sides
"A " Woman's hand, Marion she ex-
claimed, ''or I've never seen onei And the
date of arrival four days back. 1t smells
of violets, too. Well realIyi'
"A gnes!'
Marion went forward and took the note
from her friends grasp with unchar racter-
istic speed. She was pale alre eady, but she
grew paler as she scanned the superscrip-
tion and then raised the envelope to her
noStrils.
She loved her rhusbandintenscIy and knew
est incident of her life had she ever kept
concealed from him, and she had always
felt confident that on his own side there was
like absolution OF confidence and candor.
1t stabbed her to the soul as she thought
now that no forgetfulness had prevented
him from telling her of this note. They
led fashionable lives but they led them to-
gether. For all that they might sometimes
pass hours apart Their constant intimacy
and comradery We're beyond dispute.
For few seconds she stood perfectly
still, holding the letter. Then she went to
the uvercoat, which Agnes had just re-
placed upon the chair, and slipped the letter
back into one of its side pockets.
She was woman who had always been
held to possess no common share of self
command. She justified this belief now.
"Bluebeard's chamber, she said, with a
smile, but it was a smile quite dim and joy
less. And then she raised one finger and put
it against her lips i'll gesture that not only
symbohzed silence, but enjUined it.
Agnes watched her in astonishment. She
knew that there was never any pose about
her friend; that what Marion seriously did
and said were done and said from sincerity
at daegers drawn with sham.
And youllnever even ask him w whomits
from?" Agnes exclaimed.
Never
hut you suspect" a4,.
mo matter what suspect"
And you'll never let biflgkno you saw
it and didn't openit?'' ,re,s
'Never'
But this thing, Marion, will come between
you aud him. 1t may ruin YOUR future hap
piness.' 90,
That can'tbe helped. If it's what think
it is"-Eere her placid veiees broke a little
then letting him know wptAd domore harm
than good ,,o,c
But perhaps it is the Rerest trifle after
all, said Agnes, she herself now generously
turning consoler despitether own sorrows;
"some request for financial advice or loan
OF money from some woman whom we both
know"
Perhaps returned Marion mus!ngly.
And then it'passed through her mind: He
would have told me if it had been that. He
tells me everytling-or SO till now I've be-
lieved.''
'Ah good morning, Agnes, a voice sud
denly said in the half-open doorway. "Hav-
ing gossipy pow WOW with my wife, eh?
You didn expect to see me here at this
hour, did you? You thought was too much
of a oor.flsard- working Wall street drudge,
didn't you? And You were quite right 1
ann
Trent, faltercd Marion.
She had instantly seen that her husband
was a trifle paler than usual. and that some
inward agitation, which he struggled to
hide, controlled him. His eyes, wandering
quickly yet covertly about tile room, lit on
the overcoat
An he said, Its here" And then he
caught the garment up and thrust hand
into one of its pockets. Meanwhile he was
talking with speed, and now addressed his