Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-01-21

Hart. who resided In No. "a. one afternoon
as they embroidered doylies in Mrs. Hart
tiny parlor.
! Three times in town this month"; said
Mrs. Saunders in a tone confidentially low
cred. I've run across Mr.. Dillingham;
Smith twice the street, and once at
matinee, and each time Mr.. Dillingham;
Smith has been in the company of a de-
cidedly stunning young woman"
Mrs. Hart nodded comprehensvely as she
threaded a needle.
"Ah," she said with meaning glance at
her companion. I've wondered it. per-
haps-" She paused
II knew, of course, there was some
thing" said Mrs. Saunders with an air of
finality
And we always pride ourselves on hav
ing such eminently respectable neighborS
here at the terrace Mrs. Hart lamented.
Thereupon they launched into a verbal
failing of Mr. Dillingham; Smith that last
ed until Mrs Saunders went home to- SUI
peTvise dinner. AS she passed number Is
Mr.. Dillingham; Smith came down the steps.
He lifted his hat and smiled pleasantly,
but Mrs. Saunders hurried past with the
bareSt nod.
AS he neared the corner Mrs. Saunders
turned and looked at the retreating figure
long and thoughtfuly. He was certainly
very pleasant-faced and very gentlemanly
in bearing. He was eminently the type
of man who could enjoy coy little din
ner with the right people. She would have
wagered at odds that he played an excel
lent hand at whist. He seemed, judged
| externally, the very sort of person to add
| to the jollity of the terrace. Perhaps, after
| all, everything was all right Perhaps
she had judged him somewhat hastily
Stll, it must be admitted that matters
looked very black. And anyway, why all
| this aloofness, this elaborate secluson?
That was something Mrs. Jack Saunders
could neither understand nor countenance.
She looked up at number IS. There was
no light-no sign of life. Where was Mrs.
n ,l,,s inIn In
wondered vaguely if her husband locked
her in her room each night before he left
for town?
At heart Mrs. Saunders was disposed to
be charitable. In her own homely phrasing
she wont to give the devil his due
But somehow the more she thought of Dill
bingham Smith, as she walked homeward,
the more she realized that he was beyond
the pale of her charitable sensiblities. In
fact, by the time she had reached her own
door Mrs. Jack Saunders was thoroughly
convinced that Mr.. Dillingham; Smith was
a monster.
she again went over to Mrs. Harris with
her dOylies.
Come in, dear" said Mrs. Hart, leading
the way toward the parlor. You're just
in time to meet my cousin. Virginia.
Mrs. Saunders glanced through the door
and beheld slight, graceful girl standing
by the window. She gasped and clutched
her hostess by the arm.
Come into the dining ROOM" she man
aged to whisper covertly.
They went into the dining ROOM Mrs.
Harris eyes fixed in wonder on her friends
excited face.
That" said Mrs. Saunders dramatically,
as the door closed behind them, "s the wo-
man I've seen with Mr.. Dillingham; Smith"
"Impossible!' cried Mrs. Hart.
1T is. said Mrs. Saunders, fatty.
Are you sure?'' asked Mrs Hart incred-
ulously.
Absolutely" said the other ASK her if
she knows him"
For a moment Mrs Hart leaned against
the table. striving to grasp the meaning of
it all. Then she led the way back to the
parlor, where the girl was drawing on her
gloves, and Mrs Saunders was presented.
After a few commonplace remarks the girl
turned TO Mrs. Hart.
Il must along, Cousin Evelyn" she
said Don't forget us entirely
Mrs. Hart took a step forward. Her
fingers We're working neryously.
Virginia, dear, do you know a Mr. Dill