The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-07-03

on the verge OF vulgar intrigue-tnat
she might even tumble into it if she did
not retreat2
She rose and consulted her. mirror. 1t
showed her face flushed with excite
ment- Very carefully with her hand
kerchief she rubbed the spot that Major
Babworth had kissed; and she blusned
again at the reflection that the kiss was
not SO entirely unpleasant as it ought
to have been.
You must rum said Ethel to her
own face in the glass. You must run
and find Jack"
Within half a minute her maid had
answered her summons.
Pack up my things at once. was
her order. And find out the next train
to town. There must be another to-
night"
Parkins, discreet and expeditions. ex-
pressed no surprise, but obeyed orders
at once. And in an incredibly short
space of time Ethel Carteret found her
self planted in & comfortable railway
carriage, fortified with a packet OF
sandwiches and a flask of sherry, and
speeding towards home, husband, and
responsibility. In the hours that passed
between Bournemouth and London she
had time to reflect that she had looked
over the brink-and stepped back. How
surprised Jack would be- And how
pleased!
L hope, ma'am, if you will excuse
me-" said Parkins, as she stepped into
the four-wheeler behind her mistress at
Waterloo. that there was no bad
news in that telegram
what telegram" asked Ethel.
"Oh, there was a telegram came fof
you this afternoon, and laid it on
your dressing table. 1 was afraid
something had happened-and your
coming back so unexpected"
II never saw it, said Ethel. ''Wha<
a nuisance Still, of course, the tele>
gram must have come from Jack, and
in a few minutes she would see him.
Perhaps Jack had grown tired of be-
ing alone, and had wired for her to re-
turn-that would be nice of him.
Then a sudden fear seized her. It
might be that Jack was ill-il while
she had been flirting with that odious
her head out of the window and beggea
the driver to hurry.
1t was close upon midnight now, and
the four-wheeler turned into the COM
parative quiet of Curzon street. But
as it neared its destination Ethel was
conscious of the sounds of merry-mak-
ing. Someone was banging a piano;
and several more were bowling Sol
the window Ethel saw the windows of
her house ablaze with light, ana
through them came the sounds of rev.
elry, the mingled voices of men ana
women shouting after the manner of
people whose tongues are loosened BY
liquor.
Ethel paused with her hand upon the
handle of the door. What on earth is
the meaning of this?" she demanded.
Parldns, the soul of discretion, pre-
served a 5udicious silence.
On the opposite side of the street
strolled a epoliceman. who looked from
the cab to the house. and then again
at the cab and EthePS white face.
What is going on here?" she asked.
The policeman assumed a critical air
as he contemplated the lighted windows.
A final Shrek ended the chorus
Sounds like a good time he re-
piled.
Ethel looked helplessly at Parkins, but
Parkins preserved a detached manner,
and sat as stiff as ramrod. with tight
lips and eyes fixed on the point of her
nose. Her discretion taught her never
to seem to see beyond that point. Be
sides, it is not we'll that a respectable
lady's maid with character to nourish
should be mixed up in a scandal
Ethel was on the verge OF ordering
Parkins to ring the door bell when she
was arrested by a brazen voice. Two
women came along the street. One of
them was talking loudly. They halted
close by the cab. The girl who WAS
talking in accents which were not those
of the class of We're de We're broke off
and exclaimed: But you're sure it's all
Iight-no kid? Did Jack tell you him
self?''
Don't you fret" said the other. II
saw MIN TINS afternoon, ana ne SAID he
was on for a rare old spree. You see,
his lidys gone off to the country some
where, and"
The door opened and Ethel saw BIZ
lings, her husbands man.
Come along in said Billings.
There's plenty of company inside
The door banged, and hid the three
from view. Ethel leaned back and gasp
ed. There was no help to be gained
from the stony face of Parkins. But it
was clearly impossible to enter her own
home that night. Ethel set her teeth
together This was the way in which
Jack consoled himself for her absence.
And all the time she had been longing