Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1903-03-06

The door closed, leaving a stutelp f0ure
standing Just inside It.
his thought, she added: "You see, It Il
our last affair of the season, and we are
all anxious to do our duty perfectly.
Will you 60 down with me? We can
talk afterward.
Her continued self possession utterly
confused him. She had utterly confused
Marion also when told that her husband
was in the house She had had PRESENT.
ments. and besides she had been school.
ing herself for this hour for long time.
She turned toward the door.
But" he asked like q supplicant
''our childf want to see our child"
She lifted her eyebrows Then. seeing
the photograph Of the baby ON the table.
understood how he knew. Come with
me. then" she said. with little more
feeling.
She led the way through the hall and
paused at her door. Remember that
we have to appear among the guests d.
Seotly," she said. a. though to warn
him against any demonstration. Then
they entered She went over to the cot
and drew back the fleecy curtain from
over the sleeping boy head His fingers
lhungered to take Ids child to his arms
HE is magnificent, Magnificenti" he
said, with q great pride. "Why did you
never let me know Of it?''
''How could I tell what you would
DOR she calmly replied "You married
me wickedly and used me wickedly
afterward. and I loved the child"
'You loved the childr' he repeated
after hen. 'Lan, he said, II don't de-
serve it. but forgive me, II you can
for the child's sake
I'VE had better 60 below" abe calm.
" replied. I'VE have both duties to do
You will Of course appear with me-
before them?''
The slight irony in the tone cut him
horribly. He offered his arm In silence
They passed into the hall and to the
staircase. 1T IL necessary" she said.
ito appear cheerful before ones guests
She had him at an advantage at every
point I'VE will be cheerful, them"
was his reply, spoken with . grim kind
Of humor. "You have learned It all,
haven't you," he added
They were just entering the ballroom.
Eyes, with your kind help-and alb
sence, she replied
The surprise Of the guests was some
what diminished by the fact that Ma
rion, telling General Armour and his
wife first Of Franks return, industri-
ously sent the news buzzing about the
room.
The two went straight to Franks f.
Their and mother. Their parts were all
excellently played Then Frank mingled
among the guests. being very heartily
greeted, and heard congratulations on
all sides. Old club friends rallied him
a. q deserter and new acquaintance
hocked about him, and presently he
awakened to the fact that his Indian
wife had been an interest Of the season
and was not the least admired person
present. Itwas altogether too good luck
for him, but he had an uncomfortable
conviction that he had long path It
penanoe to walk before he could hope to
enjoy it
All at once he met Lady Haldwell,
who, in spite Of all, still accepted in.
vitations to General Armour's house,
the strange scene between Lai and her.
self having never been disclosed to the
family. He had nothing but bitterness
in his heart for her, but he spoke few
smooth words, and she languidly con-
graduated him ON his bronzed appear
anoe. He asked for dance, but she had
not one to give him. As she was leav.
ing she suddenly turned a. though she
had forgotten something, and looking
at him said: II forgot to congratulate
you on your marriage hope it Is not
too late"
He bowed. your congratulations are
10 sincere" he said, that they would
be apropos late or early"
When he stood with his wife while
the guests were leaving and saw with
what manner she carried 1t all ofr-as
though she had been born In the good
land Of good breeding-he was moved
alternately with wonder and shame
shame that he had intended this noble
creature as q sacrifice to his ugly tenn
per and spite When all the guests were
gone and the family stood alone in the
drawing room. a silence suddenly fell
among them. Presently Marion said to
her mother in half whisper, II wish
Richard were here"