Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-12-24
hand dropped into his coat pocket-he had

hand dropped into his coat pocket-he had
not yet removed his top coat.
LUCILLE thought you had gone"
Il am sorry to have disappointed you, "
she began, then suddenly her voice failed
her. Was that her husband that old-look-
ing, haggard, gaunt man, leaning heavily
against his shaving stand?
Billy, what's the matter? Tell me, Billy,
are you ill?''
The note had slipped from her hand to the
floor. The furs followed She sprang for
ward and flung both arms around his neck.
Billy, there's something wrong-some-
thing has happened,''
Almost roughly he flung off her arms and
staggered over to a couch.
why didn't you go?" he said thickly. L
didn want to tell you
Tell me what cried the girl. Possessed
by a nameless fear she followed him TO
the couch. Tell me everything, dear. I'm
your wife 1 have the right to know-and
you've kept me out of your life SO long.
Kept you OUT he said staring at her
curiously. why, you've been with me
every moment of the day. VINO do you
think I've been working for-just for
money? Good God, Lucilei Couldn't you
understand it was you-you! I've said I'd
make the women who once snubbed you
bow before you-the women who nave
| patronized you because they were jealous
of your beauty
BILLY, Billy, whatever are you talking
about? What women?"
"Oh, / know where you've gone and who
mas received you, ana We Stlu iIidhe
you queen over them all, when L got money
enough-and now-its a damn nice Christ
mas present to offer you, Lucille, an empty
purse. a ruined business
"Bily-"
"The wong side of the C. & NJ. corner
that's all. And tomorrow-the day before
Christmas-Im to meet my creditors ana
close things up at 40 cents on the dollar
It'll all go, do you understand, Lucille?
This house, the Long Island place, the
horses. Well be strapped-just where we
started no worse than that1four years ago
-four years ago tonight. Oh God!
He buried his face in his hands and his
whole frame shook. Lucille knelt down be-
side him.
I'm so glad Billy
His hands fell away from his face and
he stared at her in dull amaze
"Glad?" he asked thickly.
"Glad we're going to start overland this
time We'll start right. Oh, Billy, 1t was
all wrong the last time. I was dazzled at
first by city life, and while L played you
worked. Then when l got tired OF playing
and wanted you, there wasn't any Billy IN
my life. Business had won him from me-
But we know better now. Billy, won't you
kiss me, just to seal the fresh start? It's
our wedding anniversary, Billy
He nodded his head then he bent oyer S,e
and kissed her in a lfeless fashion she
rose suddenly and flung off her cloak
Give me that heavy coat, dear What
you need is dressing gown and Shippers;
You'd better ring for James, ne salu
coat. She threw it across the nearest CHAIR
and her hand touched something heavy and
hard in the pocket She felt again anu
her lips turned white. That was why ne
had been standing before the mirror. "A
minute later
She ran tie his dressing room and brought
out his quilted robe. She had ordereu ~
herself for his last birthday. Then back
for his slippers She waited on him as a
mother on her child. And when she had
made him comfortable on the great couch'
she knelt down beside him.
He did not speak, but a trembling mana
was stretched forth and rested on her mar:
.'Tomorrow-after the-the meeting of
those
THE creditors-'
THE creditors, yes, we will start for
home. Mother and father will be so glad
to see us. They've never quite given up
hopes of our coming. Oh. Billy can you
see the woods, the trees heavy with SNOW
and the big drifts. Can't you smell inc
spicy evergreens, not red immortelles. Ana
well hang our stocking beside the dining
room fire. Once, Billy, when L was wee
girl. father put whole silver dollar In the
toe of my stocking and l felt so rich
wish that tomorrow you'd stop at some
candy shop and get few of those dear
TOYS dogs and cats and birds and things.
They so much better than tTeilcn ooh-
bonS for Christmas.
She chartered on as if Wall street and
creditors and liveried- servants Were miles
away. But the man on the couch feeling
derstood and drew her close
"Mr. Darraugh''
Lucille sprang to her feet. She had for
gotten the man, his yacht and her promise.
Billy raised himself on one elbow.
Ralph Darraugh? Was he taking you
to the opera?"
NO. no. she said hurriedly. He's going
away-just came to say goodbye. NO, you
mustn't go down. You're not fit. I'll tell
him goodbye for you"
Saunders fell back on the pillows. Luz
ellie bent to kiss him once more.
Darraugh was waiting for her at the foot
of the stairs, standing under the crimson
Christmas bell. Something in her breath
ing, her disheveled hair and gown made
him draw in his breath quickly. Had she
changed her mind?
1T is so good Of you to come, Ralph, but
I can't go. No. please don't urge me. Billy
has come homeland, oh, Ralph he's lost
everything, everything. We're going to be-
gin all over again and this time"
She paused abruptly. Darraugh had
raised his eyes to hers and something in his
glance made her draw back. Her voice
trailed away into silence that was broken
only by the mans heavy breathing.
I'VE will all miss you-on the yacht" he
said presently, the guard raised once more.
viii you spend Christmas here?"
NO, with my parents at Kingston"
She wondered if that could be her voice.
II shall be back in a fortnight Tell
Billy if 1 can be of SERVICE
THANK you, his-his plans are all made.
Goodbye. and a merry
Don't" he said almost roughly. Then
he bent over her hand. Il may wish you
happy Christmas. God knows, you deserve
it, Lucille
She mounted the stairs slowly When
she reached Bflly's room, she found him in
the deep sleep of utter exhaustion. She
bent over and kissed his hair very gently.
BILLY, dearest, you'll never know how
near we both came to the edge. If you did,
you'd count it a happy Christmas, even
without dollar"