Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-11-09

in my position had no necessity or IN
clinntion to Interfere Even Etnei"yhn
made no remark although TINS suuuen
breaking forth Of her sister Inusl ilh 'o
panied her considerably.
Wnen at length shook hands Win my
patient. left him in the hands OF tue
nurse, and descended to the drawing
room, I found Ethelwynn awaiting me.
/ Short told me you were here she
exclaimed. % What a long time you nave
been upstairs. Nothing serious | nope
| she added with a touch OF anxiety, l
| thought
Nothing at ALL assured her. walk
ing with her across to the hre all
seating myself in the coy corner.
while she threw herself upon a low
lounge chair and piowed her dark
head upon big cushion Of yellow silk.
Where is Mary?' / askeu.
Out. She's dining with the Hennl-
kers tonight. I think.
"And leaves you at home to Look after
| the invalid?' I remarked.
"Oh, l don't mind in the least" she
declared. laughing.
And the old gentleman? What does
he say to her constant absence in the
EVENING"
Well to tell the truth. Ralph. he sell
dom knows. He usually believes her to
be at home and l never undeceive him.
ny SnOulQ 3.
grunted-for ] was not at all we'll
pleased with her connivance at her sis
ter's deceit. The sound that escaped my
lips caused her to glance across at me
in quick surprise.
You are displeased, dear she said.
Tell me why. What have I done?"
+ I'm not displeased with YOU I de-
clared. Only. as you know, l m not in
favor Of deception, and especially so IN
a wife.
She pursed her lips, and I thought her
face went a trife paler. She was silent
for moment, then said:
II don't see why we should discuss that.
Ralph. Marys actions concern neither of
us. It's not for US TO prevent her anus
ing herself; neither is it our duty to Gre
ate unplea santness between husband and
vile
did not reply. but sat looking at her.
drinking in her beauty in a long, full
iraught- How can | describe her? Her
form was graceful in every line; her face
perfect in its contour. open, finely nodded,
and with marvellous compile Nion--a
calm. sweet countenance that reminded
ore of Raphael's Madonna in Florence
indeed almost its counterpart. Her beauty
had been remarked everywhere. She had
sat to wellknown r. a. for his acad
envy picture two years before. and the
artist had declared her to be one of the
most perfect types of English beauty.
Was it any wonder, then that l was
in love With her? Was it any wonder
that those wonderful dark eyes held me
beneath cheir spell, or those dark locks
that I sometimes stroked off her fair
white brow should be TO ME the most
beautiful in all the world. Man is but
mortal and a beautiful woman always
enchants.
AS she sat before me in her evening
gown Of some flinsy cream stuff, all trills
and furbeows she seemed perfect in
her lcveiness. The surroundings suited
her TO perfection, the OLD Chippendalc and
the palms, while the well-shaded electric
lann in its Wrought-Iron stand shed
mellow glow upon her, softeninS her fea
lures and harmonizing the tints OF the
objects around. From beneath the hem
Of her skirt a neat ankle, encased in its
black silk stockings was thrust coquet-
tshly forward, and her tiny patent leatt