Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1905-01-13

little need to feign surprise. On the
floor, attired in loose morning wrap
per, her hair none too tidy, with eyes
red from excessive. weeping, sat Sadie.
the picture of despair. Into three par
TALLY filled trunks articles of wearing |
apparel, silverware and jewelry were
being recklessly thrown.
why, Sadie Anterior! What on
earth" began Priscilla, really alarmed
at the dismal scene. A fresh torrent OF
tears was the immediate reply. Throw
ing herself down by the side of the APP
parently heart-broken woman, Priscilla
first endeavored to quiet her agitation.
and then gently to draw from her the
other side of a story that was hardy less
distressing for the one to hear than for
the other to tell. A grewsome tale il
was. indeed, and the girl was glad that
Frank had told his story first. That
his was the truth, and all the truth,
she doubted not an instant.
who told you this?" finally inquired
Priscilla
Mrs. Gympton."
THE worst gossip in the city. Did
she tell you the girls name?'
mo; but from her description. just
know it was that odious actress jam
ming a satin gown into a corner of a
trunk as she spoke.
And on the strength of this miser-
able gossip you are breaking up YOU
home, running your life and Frank S as
well?"
But he never denied it."
Did you give him the opportunity
II don't know; | was so utterly
wretched"
Did you even ask him the womans
name?"
why, no; but"
Sadie Anterior. | am surprised at
you! Frank simply had to make that
trip to the Beach. Business. and moth
ing else, was the cause of his going. And
as for his companion, at lunch and al
! terward," here utterance became diff
cult, his companion, say, was myself"
YOU"
Yes Having made the plunge her
strokes were bold and strong. rs there
anything strange in that? Could ethel
of us imagine that such a spitetul SLAM
der would reach you before you would
be informed of it in an ordinary man.
ner? No doubt Frank was too surprised
at your outburst to remember who was
with him. even had you asked him."
Mrs. Anterior again resOrted to tears
welcome tears of relief.
Had Priscilla searched for justifca-
ton, she misht have found it in the
complete joy of her friend The room
was soon restored to orGcr and by the
performance Of certain mysterious rites
the traces of recent grief were banishad
from the happy face of Mrs Atherton.
1t was late in the afternoon before
Priscilla reached home As she ascend
ed the 81 ps. an alarming thouehtturncd
her giddy for an instant Frank would
not know how she had made peace fol-
him, and unconsciously would betray
her. She hurried through the door and
telephoned to his office, and was in
formed that he had started uptown. Real.
izing the importance Of seeing him. she
resolved to intercept nm, if possible, al
the Fiftieth street station of the elevat.
ed, where he generally aighted.
After vainly watching the endless pro-
cessiOn descending the elevated start
way for a quarter of an hour. she felt
baffied, knowing that she had lost The
race. Grimly resolving to learn the
worst at once three minutes later founC
her again entering the Anterior apart
: ment. Despair gave place to hope
Frank was not there. Having no pre-
: text for calling she was somewhat EN-
barrassed Mentally searching FOL
something she had not forgotten, she
! was greatly relieved as Frank opened
the door. Sadies gave a cry of deigh
and threw herself in his arms eX
claiming, "Oh, Frank, I've been such
? goose"
You're a duck!" was the prompt ant
happy reply
t But why did you not tell me tina
= Priscilla was with you that day."
t "Pris-" he stammered, his eyes open
= ing wide.
e Yes" quickly responded that youni
S lady, artfully treading on Franks to-
g as she approached; "she did not know
y that | was your companion Monday at
!. ternoon. as that horrid Mrs Gymptol
@ failed to recognize me. AS you neglect
d ed to mention it, how could she hay
= known"
S YES assented he, vaguely; ito b
g sure; how could she?"
0 As Frank escorted Priscilla HON
/, later in the evening, few words were ex
n changed Franks usually efferyescin
t nature had been subdued by recen
e events, while Priscilla was absorbed i
e her own rioting thoughts. Reaching tn
; door of her Riverside home, she turne
g and silently held out her hand. A tea
# in her eye reflected the electric light a
y the corner.