Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1905-04-06


to the lips.
He glanced at her. startled, sicken-
ing fear al his heart Something in the
deepening eyes, the tense tone and
/ colorless face made him mute.
"Barsdale, did you say?" she demand
ed again, in a strained voice. one trem-
bling hand involuntarily clasping his
coat sleeve.
What seemed an ilterminable pause
ensued before Ellsworth spoke.
why, yes" he said in matter-of-
fact way. quite common name here,
| believe" This was lie, and he knew
it, but it was the only Thing TO do.
And this happened in-in-T
"In San Francisco"
The girls heart almost stopped beat
| ing. A strange, broken look came into
her face and her eyes dulled. But in
little while she pulled herself together,
| smothering in common uiyialities the
| undercurrent of fierce excitement that
shook her.
Arrived at her home, Ellsworth found
himself ushered into a long. low candle
cleaning room, where all sorts of rare
and unique things had got together for
| the entertainment and comfort OF Who
4 ever might chance there.
Edythe excused herself temporarily,
presently returning in dinner toilet OF
some filmy green material that wonder
| fully set off the fresh daintiness OF her
face and form. The pink had come back
to her cheek. and but for a suppressed
CLEAN in the usually soft eyes nothing
remained to indicate the presence OF
fierce inward struggle.
I'm so sorry" she began, slipping
easily into a low chair by the fireplace
but have just found a note from my
husband saying that he has been ordered
to the south His business keeps him
from home the greater part Of the time,
she explained.
Despite the tremendous lump OF relief
that came into his throat, Ellsworth ex-
pressed his sincere regret at the circum-
stance. and turned the conversation into
commonplace channels.
Perhaps you would like TO look at
some pictures. she ehatted on, careless
~, stretching her little trap. How do
you like this one2"
He glanced indifferently at the group
Of debutantes she held up for his in
spection and delivered some trifing
compliment.
And this?" she asked, a wretched lit
tie smile struggling for a second TO her
Inns. She bent forward, holding her
breath in perceptible stress, her mouth
cold. stern-index to arhagonized heart.
Ellsworth received the photograph be-
tween fingers ruled into steadiness. He
glanced casually into the handsome eyes
that laughed up at him from the card
board.
"A very striking face" he remarked,
earelessly. permitting his gaze to rest
briefly on the elear-cut, familiar iea-
lures. who is it?'
why. that's Jack-my husband-he
is handsome. isn't he?" she broke ou'
with a hysterlcal little laugh that was
. more than a sob.
Ellsworth was silent for awhile, Civ
ing her time to get back to herself again
But his other name-you haven
told me that yet. hereminded her, after
a little. Think Of it. and I've been in
. your house nearly an hour. h'
} laughed and took up another picture.
"Of course. How very absurd Of me
Barsdale is his name; John Morton
Barsdale. Isn't it coincidenceg
. Ellsworth felt his heart pounding
against his side like a trip-hammer, hu
= he merely nodded in an off-hand manner
and changed the subject
An hour and a half later, Mrs. Bars
dale pressed a tear-drenched, but very
7 radiant. face to an inanimate piece oil
cardboard. murmuring foolish words o.
endearment to the face thai smiled away
her fears.
you darling" she breathed, softly
"to think that doubted youl'
Ellsworth returned to his hotel in the
fast-gathering darkness, his head bent
a prey to furious and conflicting emo
tons.
III there ever was a ID rascal! ~
} unused. Poor little Edythe."
D He waited a day and then wrote anC
dispatched the following;
MY Dear Mrs Barsdale-After all Z
s win not be necessary for you 20 troubi'
your husband with this affair Of mine
as / have succeeded in locating y, with
out any trouble and prefer TO keep tn
y matter as private as possible
please accept my appreciation o
z vour interest and hospitality. and be
I ieve me. most sincerely yours,
Z THOMAS r. J. ELLSWORTH. "
4 N. o. Times-Demucrat