Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-06-03

What mattered ii, after all, why? His
pride stopped at further Investigation Sae
had said their marriage was a mistake;
that she did not care for him. he thong ht
bitterly. That should suffice. When nc
spoke again his voice was businesslike
DO you need any one to help you with
your packing?"
She made no sign that she heard him and
he went to the bell rope; pulled 1t. The
same colored lad that had brought him the
telegram appeared in response to the sum
mons.
Send up my bill at once: have my
trunks taken to the depot; call in ten min
utes for several kilograms 1 wish to send.'
Yes. sah thank yo'. sah,'
The door closed he turned to his desk
ana began writing rapidly; one message to
Inn TapHn, apprising that person of his
coming, another to his lawyer a third to a.
certain broker. his face becoming moro
savagely aggressive as he proceeded
AT least his opponents would not look for
ms return They had probably reasoned nc,
bridegroom was apt lightly to tear him.
self from his bride on the second day of the
honeymoon to engage in a battle of prices;
but they had overlooked the weight of the
personal inputations which had really first
moved Richard Strong to that radical de-
terminal l.
Mechanically and with a white face Eli
nor set about the work of packing There
was little to be done: only one or two Of
the dresses had been removed from tho
trunks. Those more elaborate creations III
ton had raved and exclaimed and which
MRS. Rossiter had tenderly deposited IN
their respective trays with proud satisfac-
tlon and fond anticipations of the appear
ance her daughter would make at fashion,.
able Saratoga. were doomed not to see the
light of day at that brilliant summer re-
sort. She had but performed this task: re.
placed the trays and closed and locked her
trunks when knocking at the door
brought a waiter with a bill
Mr.. Strong took the account and handed
the man the messages he had written
Send these Immediately. They are I'M
portant. You have a telegraph Office in the
hotel?"
Yes. SIR
And call carriage in''-he consulted a
time table-"half an hour
The man departed; Richard Strone's
glance rested coldly on his wife
Are you ready?" he said
Yes, she answered I'm low tone
Well he went on, have you thought IL
all out-what is best to be Gone?'
Moo" she answered. That is-of
course shall go home"
He sprang to his feet An intense emo
ton shone from his eyes; his hands
clenched
of course you will not go homer
That much you owe to me- I do not be-
heve in lightly wed, lightly separated.
Neither do / care for the stigma of a sep
aration."
Can you not see" she returned calmly,
but with an effort, 1T is impossible for me
to remain-to accept anything from you.
AFTER
You should have thought about that be-
fore you made it imperative for you to do
SOL
Her calmness forsook her II can't; I
can'ti' she cried passionately
unfortunately you have no choice
You are cruel-unreasonable"" she en-
claimed. strengthening herself. 1T is i'm
possible! What you ask
Her words acted upon him like spark;
in spite of herself she shrank from the an
ger, the almost ungovernable passion with
which he regarded her He took step for
ward.
Cruel, Your
Her head sank into her hands He stop,
ped, checked the words that had been about
to spring from his lips.
There is need for any heroics or hys-
terics," he said in measured tones. II do
not ask; Gemandi 1t is my right. Have
you any further objections to advance?"
She did not raise her head reply, and
after a moment he added: This subject,
then, is closed between US"
Half an hour later the loungers in thS
lobby observed Mr.. and Mrs Strong
ing down from their rooms, followed by
the porters with bags, satchels and other
hand luggage. The humping and thump-
ing of the great trunks that had pre-
coded their appearance had apprised
those in the neighborhood of the Office
OF the forthcoming departure of the
bridal couple. At the front door of the
hotel the proprietor himself stood with COB
dial and expansive mien, as befitted the
speeding of guests so solvent in the worlds
goods.
''What do you think of that?'
The veranda dowa gers were watching the
couple enter their carriage.
Some one told me it was on account OF
business"
"And only the second day of their we'd
ding tripi"
"She looked to me if she had been cry
ing about it!''
What Sbride wouldn't-to be packed or
home
Slam the carriage door shut. crack or
the whip-Elinors honeymoon had come to
an end
CTo be continued tomorrow