Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1903-04-17

passionate appeal TO her heart, and
so accumulated the feeling of loneli-
ness it deplored that Katharine hur-
ried on her wraps and went out in
the sunshine on Fifth avenue. There
she pulled herself together mental
~ and tried hard to dismiss the feel
ing that i'll fleeing from Richard Cath
cart and his love she had done an
unwise thing. Then she recalled the
fact That she had in her purse the
address of "a dear friend who lived in
Brooklyn, also the number of her
husbands business address on Broad
way. Calling cab, she soon found
herself at his office. He was in and
gave her hearty welcome.
Sophie will be delighted to see
you, Mrs Archer, and as this happens
to be our wedding anniversary. 1
promised to eat luncheon at home.
We will give her delightful sur
prise"
Mrs Archer made no objection.
Possibly thought of eXultation over
her freedom to do as she pleased ac-
companied the alacrity with which
she accepted the invitation. No man
would be disagreeable because she
kept him waiting for her return.
Experience had given her retrospec-
tive faculties.
Mrs. Lewis, her friend, was over
Joyed, even to the extent of hysteri-
cal tears.
is it really you, Katharine. and
nave you come to make me n long
visit? But, of course, Won have
what lovely widow you make. NV
dear But you won't be widow
long will she, George?" and Mrs.
Lewis Rugged her friend anew.
After luncheon Mr.. Lewis rct,,rnod
to the city and the two young wom-
en- sat together and rehearsed all
mat had happened since their last
meeting, which was on the occasion
OF katharine's marriage. They even
talked over Mr.. Cathcart. and that
gentleman's ears must have burned
IN distant Chicago. Sophie knew him
and was on his side-Katharine's on1v
demur was her freedom.
why, | couldn't even be sittinr co,,-
ably here chatting with YOU" she
SAID in confirmation of her decision.
II had a husband waiting at the hotel
Tor me. It's just beautiful to be able
to 60 out for few hours without
leaving an explanatory letter. TELLING
Where you have gone, how long Won
Will be away, and then having to wor-
ry all the time for fear YOU will over
stay your time half an hour. | have
felt Just like child going home to be
scolded,"
Poor darling" Sophie regarded her
friend with pity, sit is plain, Kathar-
me- that you have never loved"
But the flood of color that suffused
Mrs. Archer's features told another
story. Sophie, bright little woman.
received sudden illumination. Mrs.
Archer intended to return to her hotel
that evening, but yielded to the urg-
ln@s OF her friends, and the next morn
ing it rained, nor did if clear during
the day or the following evening.
katharine wrote to her brother, and
answered at length Richard Cathcart's
letter, using specious and evasive argu-
ments, very Jesuit in her use of Ian
guage to conceal thought. Then the
second night passed, and on the sue
ceeding morning when Mr.. Lewis
opened his daily paper he gave a great
shout.
"Sophie, Katharine. Come here!"
The two hurried down and looked
over his shoulder as he read the dis |
play heading of a news column:
MYSTERIOUS DIsAPPEARANCE
OF WEALTHY WIDOW /
MISSING FROM HER HOTEL.
FOUL PLAY FEARED
POLICE ASKED TO INVESTIGATE