The silver star., 1900-04-06

They had wandered into one Of f6o
corridors. and the door or vacant,
box stood 'invitingly open. without
word her companion paused on the
thresh0ld. and. guiding the other with-s
In the shadow, quickly closed the door,,
Then, placing his arms around the
girls slim figure. he drew her sharply
toward him. and. raising the lower
corner Of her mask. showered half
dozen burning kisses upon her ripe.
red lips. that were SO temptingly re-
vealed.
As his hot breath famed her cheeks
and his passionate kisses were being
rained down upon her, Phyllis felt for
the moment that her husbands alle-
glance to herself had not really wav-
cred after all. Then a sudden revul-
sion OF thought swept over her. and
she realized that her companion's en-
braces we're offered In ignorance Of her
identity. White and trembling. she
pushed the man away and sprang to
the door again.
Let me go!" she cried, fearing for
her self-control. 81 ought to have bssn
home long ago."
Very we'll, my little Cinderella" an
swered the scarlet domino. good hu-
moredly. ITO our next merry meeting,
then. May It. be soon!"
Perhaps sooner than you think" re-
turned the other with a hard little
laugh. Then she turned and made her
way rapidly to the vestibule. fearful Of
pursuit.
1t was with mingled feelings of rage
and despair that Mrs. Heriot drove
back through the hushed and deserted
thoroughfares to tho Pont street mai
sonette. How to meet her husband
she scarcely knew, but wild thoughts
of instituting proceedings for separa-
tion against him coursed through her
brain as she lay back In the corner OF
her hanson. Half-formed resolves to
leave him Immediately arose, only to
be dismissed In favor of waiting until
the morrow should give her an oppor-
tunity Of taxing him with his perfdy.
That 1t would be impossible to do this
without compromising herself did not
enter into her calculations. All she
knew was that she had been very bad
| ly treated. and the one thought that
possessed her was that of revenge. .
1t was very sad-faced and heavy
eyed Mrs. Heriot who the next morn
ing sat opposite her husband at the
breakfast table. She did not hear him
come in, for. although she had lain
awake throughout half the night, sleep
had at last gained its hold upon her.
Consequently they met now for the
first time since the previous morning.
| She returned his greeting mechan-
ically. for. although anger struggled in
her for the mastery, she saw that It
was impossible to say what was in her
mind in the presence Of the parlor
maid. How he brazens it out!" she
thought fiercely. as she nervously
crumbled the roll before her.
| Without betraying any surprise at
his wife's coldness Mr.. Heriot settled
himself in his chair and leisurely ex-
amined the pile OF letters at his side.
Then he put them down and medita-
lively stroked his mustache.
why. Phyllis" he remarked at
length. looking up at his wife with q
smile. you don't seem to be so cheer
full as you ought to be.consldering that
you had your own way. after all, last
night"
MY own way? What do you mean,
Arthur" she exclaimed. startled out
OF her self-possession.
why. dearest. about the Covent Gar
den affair. Of course. didn't 60. after
all. When got to my chambers yes
terday found an important brief
there that occupied me until the even
ing. Then went on to the club and
took q hand at whist with some men.
As was winning didn't care about
leaving. SO lent my mask and domino
to young Ferrars. He's just my build,
so the costume suited him capitally.
It's pity you don't know him. as he's
rather a nice young chap In his way"