The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1905-01-21


lit was. 1t had always been so. and she
shrank from pressing IL confidence
even her husbands. But further than n
mere surmi>'H Of exterior facts. she gave
the subject no thought Of anxiety. Mrs
talIlNGton WAS very much too loyal
herself to- descend to speculate upon the
possibility of his disloyalty.
"1ou are a very peculiar woman"
Mrs. Selwyn observed, after u little
bending to break off Marechal Neil
which she fastened in her belt.
In what wHy?'
well, for one thing you are an act
ual hero-worshipper. Think of it, in
Il day like this. Or perhaps. | should
have said idealist.' Do you never ques-
ton your husbands 'cngagements'-
never look at any of his letters? As
long as I've been here, | have never
seen
Mrs. Darlington stopped her with a
gesture. Don't say any more, Ida"
she interp0Sed, coolly: "even q lifelong
friendship does not entitlc one to-say
such things. To interfere. ever 80
slightly between husband and wife, is
surely transgrcssing all laws and limits
of intimacy"
Mrs. Selwyn shrugged her fluffy shout
derS and laughed. "Of course. ! was
calv joking, little silly" She said
lightly
NrS. Carrimgton did not speak at once
Then, after silence. she said: Its all
1ight-nny 10 not cure to joke about Il
subject like that. Testing. too, has its
limtatiun>."
Mrs. Carringtm laid aside the book
he had Econ reading. ~ her friend
cHmo int" the room.
Mrs Sclwyn took the chair opposite
and regarded her far II moment with Il
peculiar expression in her fcrret-likc
eyes. My dear" she began, compass
sonatrly. I'm glad founnd you
alone. There's something broke
IF at Il sudden loss far words.
The othor questioned her with lifted
brow>. her lips settling swiftly into I'M
compromising lines.
You are such Il quiXotic little thing
that | hardly know where to begin,'
she continued. rapidly. Il fear YOU are
going to be angry with me now, but
nfterward-you will thank me-" She
lfSlldltn IL Sttbil'l. lll'H bPtHt'l HcI
hand gingprly. disclosing "A crumpled
sheet of paper. Il found this" she went
on. ''aS | was going through the hall
this morning. I've thought the matter
over thoroughly. with the conclusion
that ii was my duty to show it to you.
1t happens to be Il letter from some
woman to your husband. In here, she
calls him all sorts Of endcarng names
and there is something about II child
her child and
Let me have the letter. please" Mrs
Darlington held out her hand. cool and
slim and steady rs white lily.
The other woman glanced at her
sharply. IL keen sense of apprehension
sweeping through her. She watched her
friend in Fascinated silence as she
leaned forward in her chair and deliber-
ately laid the paper across the bed Of
pink and purple Goals that glowed in
the CRATE. holding it there with the
poker till it had siftcd to ashes.
"Katharine"' she broke out. wrath
fully. You are Il little fool. and your
husband is an unmitigated rascal"
Mrs. Darlington locked ut her with Il
certain cold fXity. "Whatcvcr | may
be-" size answered. slowly. my husband
il Still-my husband. and | must request
YOU. for the Last time. to remember that
fact when speaking to mc!' She got up
and. walking over to il window, pulled
down the shade. When she returned TO
the fire, Mrs. Selwyn had gone.
After a little the door opened and
closed. and her husband came quickly
into the room. Mrs. Darlington noted
at once that he was abolfng under
some strong excitement.
Gould you get Il few things into my
suit case right away. dtart' he began.
I've just had IL telegram and must 20
South ut Gncc."
1T ISN'T neutrality-suspicious.. is IT,
1T l., this" he answered. gravely.
MY >iSter-Jnr of whom YOU have never
H,lrd .,pokpn-is dying. Years ago she
,,ipped down. The rest of them let her
90: | ,Uuldn't. For the past few weeks
she has been in n wrctched condition;
the worst has come now. She leaves a
little child. for whom | must make pro
vision. | never meant to tell you this,
Kathnrnc: | couldn't bring myself to
drag it into your life. But a while ago
, stood in the doorway and
You heard
And S;lw--cverythng. | met her as
she came out-Gnd | have asked her to
leave the place. Now. dear can you get
me ready right away
Yes, and myself. too. ! am going
with you. Billy. il you will let me
whether yl,u will let me or not. y wn-
mans hand i, needed there