Middletown transcript., 1903-10-10
CHAPTER VII

The girl drew away her hand immed
lately, and, muttering something abou
taking off her hat, went upstairs.
Mrs. Delahay looked after her rathe
anxiously.
Addie looks SO tired, she remarked un
easily. Why will she work 50 hard wher
il is not necessary?
She looks anything but strong, replied
Chesteron.
lie resolved to take the standing Of {
friend OF hers to account for his presence
and intended to insist upon putting ar
end to all this secrecy and telling Mrs
Delahay the whole truth Addie was
his wife, although only in name, and she
should not be allowed to slave away hel
life.
No-he would supply everything that
vas needed for the whole Of them. They
were an interesting family, and no doubt
the thought OF their gratitude was pleas
ant to him.
And Addie? Chesteron had never ad.
mired her so much as he did when she
had come in, tired and pale, with her
golden hair shining in the light The
horror with which she had recognized
him, and the evident distaste with which
she regarded him, had hurt him. Why
should she hate him SO?
Tea is quite ready, Monica announced.
Mr.. Chesteron will you sit here? Addie
will be back in a moment, she has not
much time.
l. she going out again? inquired AID
wyth, with marked disapproval.
Yes-I told you soto her art school.
After working all day? | think it is
absurd.
It is unfortunate, said Mrs. Delahay,
but Addie will not neglect chance.
In moment or two Adelaide returned
and took her place at the tea-table in
silence. She avoided even looking at
Mr.. Chesteron, and when Monica called
upon her to account for never having
mentioned his name, she replied coldly-
! only knew Mr.. Chesteron very slightly
at Dellwyn's Hope.
Very slightly! exclaimed her sister,
looking surprised. Why, he called you
"Adelaide!'
Called me "Adelaide?" Addie demand
ed.
Certainly! calculated Aldwyth def
antly. What would you wish me to call
you?
To this there was no answer, for his
wife could not say Miss Delahay."
1t is Of little consequence what you call
me, Addie said at length. Adelaide will
do as well as anything.
Your sister says you are going out
again tonight. | came here because |
wished TO see you-on business.
! will stay and hear what you wish to
say.
When Monica had taken away the tea
things, and Mrs. Delalay had gone up
stairs, Addie turned to Chesteron.
Well? she asked. What is it that YOU
have come to say?
That you are not living as | should wish
my wife to live.
A vivid flame Of color swept over the
girls face, and she looked at him with
her gray eyes flashing.
How dare you'll she cried Indignantly.
How dare you criticise my conduct!
What do you know Of me or my life?
| know that you are unnecessarily
wearing yourself out with work. That
was my only meaning.
Oh! Tie color died away, and Addie
looked Indifferent and weary as before.
That is, think, no concern Of yours.
differ from you. Intentionally or
unintentionally we are married, and |
intend TO look after you.
To look after me? she repeated. Mr..
what is the meaning of this
visit? The arrangement was that we
should never see each other again. Why
DO you come here?
You kept me in absolute ignorance OF
which seem to me to ne
.essitate my interference.
And those circumstances? She looked
rs il she dared him to mention their
poverty, but he said coolly-
Are that instead Of being, as / sup
posed. either rich, or at any rate with
means at your disposal to CRAFTY ordinary