Waterbury Democrat., 1900-12-26
CHAPTER ".

downstairs. The meal passed in si fence, which was broken only now and then by a cheerful remark on the part of Mrs. Goddard. He was sallow and depressed. as if he had passed a wTetched night; she was flushed with triumph and the prospect of winning in a great game. Now that his word had been tacitly given he had the cowed air of most men of refined in- stincts who have sold themselves to the devil. His handsome face was stamped. too, with the lines of regret for his downward plunge, and keener regrets that he was in such a short time to te separated from her. He was unable to look her plot squarely in the face. else he might have had the courage to introduce certain white-wingcd objections which had flocked around him in the dead hours of the night when all the city seemed asleep. Mrs. Goddard ate heartily; he bclted his food. She said the coffee and rolls-those dainty crisp things no larger than a giants thumb-Were alone worth the inconvenience of spending night in the city. When they had finished she told him she de- sired that he should go at once to Lyndhurst and inform Blanche that she would remain that morning in town to attend to some shopping, and that she would be home in time for luncheon.
 "I hope.' she added. "that you have no business to attend to at the office"
 He had none. and it gave his heart , 4n think that her Shnnnincr had to do with her preparations for her voyage.
 There is something else,'' she went on. Did anyone at Lyndhurst know that l took so much money when I left!"
 The major looked confused as he confessed: Blanche happened to be with me when-when I went to the safe, and. naturally. I suppose I showed astonishment when l missed the-''
 "Oh, it makes no difference" broke in Mrs. Goddard. T can easily ex- plain it, and my going abroad. l shall say it is only for a short run over and back. From the other side I can easily make excuses for a prolonged stay"
 He left her in one of the drawing rooms and hastened to get a cab to convey him to the station in time for a train to Lyndhurst. Good intentions and clear moral outlook must natu- rally tend towards lightness of spirits, for Maj. Goddard, possessing just the reverse. felt as if his bones had turned to lead as he journeyed homeward. TA l, tending emotions did not tear his req son from it's seat.
 As to his wife, she was, as she had alwaSs been, diane trfcally his oppo- site. Slie took one or two turns in the corridors, where a considerable number of people were seated or promenading, and drew in deep breaths of something like thorough satisfaction. She seemed unconscious and yet keenly aware of the glances of lettering men of fashion who nudged one another and made admir- ing comments as she passed. She went through the revolving glass doors into the court. and as she smoothed on her dainty gloves she looked for a cab When she had chosen the best looking four-wheeler porter in uniform called it for her.
 No. 30 West Twentieth street, she said earelessly to the porter, who re- peated it to the cabman as he closed the door.
 The house before which the convey ance presently halted was a rather old-time, four-storied brown stone front, the steps of which were crum- bling and broken. and before which stood those badges of an uncleanly neighborhocd, an ash can and garbage barrel.
 Mrs. Goddard alighted. dismissed the cab and went up to the unswept stoop and stood on the worn india rubber mat. She rang. An Irish maid answered the summons.
 ''Is Mrs. Nolan in?" asked the caller.
 .'Yes, madam: will you walk into the parlor?''
 Mrs. Goddard gave the girl a card and followed her into a stuffy draw ing-room on the left. Between the windows Of this room there was a tall pierglass belonging to the style of half a century ago and a concomitant high and crudely decorated ceiling. There was a folding bed in the room and washstand hidden behind Jap anese screen, which indicated that the apartment in emergencies. was used as bedroom. The place had the air and the odor of second-class boarding house, but the sign in the window told the street that ii was only an apart ment house furnishing drawing-room privileges.
 There was step heavy enough to have been masculine on the diamond
 shaped marble tiles in the hall, and tali, angular woman about 50 years
 Of age advanced into the room with quick, angry strides. She had crushed the visitors card in the hand with
 which she was endeavoring to adjust
 meager coil of iron gray hair. She did not speak till she had peered into the hall and carefully closed the door then she said, frowning into the com piacent face of the half-amused caller:
 Tt certainly is good thing for you, Jeanne, that you came to-day"
 "Ah, you think so?' Mrs. Goddards $ smile was tantalizing in the extreme.
 "Yes, I had written my last note to you. I say it now plainly, so that you will not keep me waiting so long