Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-01-21
a husband she has. -Ugh-h-h, 1t makes

/ a husband she has. -Ugh-h-h! IL mahes
my blood boif.
The two women went out into the soft af-
| ternoon sunshine, and without WORD
| walked down the terrace. In grim silence
| they mounted the steps of No IL and rang
the bell. Mr.. Dillingham; Smith himself an
swered the summons.
WED like to see Mrs. Smith, said Mrs.
Hart, in tones that would have chilled an
iceberg.
I'm sorry she's not in said Mr.. Dilling-
ham Smith. Wont you come in for mo-
| ment, anyway
Mrs. Hart hesitated and then suffered
herself and Mrs. Saunders to be led into
tiny parlor, the counterpart of her own.
when will Mrs. Smith return? asked
Mrs. Hart stiffiy.
Mr.. Smith shook his head and smiled dep
recatingly.
when a woman goes shopping" he be-
gan.
Mrs. Harris face became yet more stony.
No gladiator ia cling the beasts in the Ro-
man arena looked more desperat ely cour-
ageous than did Mrs. Sam Hart at that mo-
ment.
Mr.. Smith," she said very slowly and
with an ley distinctness of enuncia ton, II
have cousin named Virginia Norris"
There was dead silence in the room. Mrs.
Hart sat rigidly erect her accusing eyes on
the quiet, clean-shaven face of the young
man before her. Mrs. Saunders leaned for
ward in her chair the better to read In Mr.
| Dillingham; Smiths face the effect of Mrs.
| Harts words. The smile vanished from his
| lips. A little frown puckered his brow.
| "Yes?' was his politely non-committal
query.
She has told me ALL" said Mrs Hart in
| a manner not unlike that of a heroine in
| melodrama.
Mr.. Dillingham; Smith rose from his chair.
| This said he gravely, lis evidently a
matter for Mrs. Smiths attention. 1 will
| call her.
Then she is here?" Mrs. Saunders could
| not help exclaiming exultantly.
| Yes, she is here - he returned ''T1l send
| her down to you presently.
before either woman could demonstrate
| he had slipped from the room, and they
| heard the stairs creaking beneath his as
| cendng tread.
For several minutes the two women sat
silently in the little parlor. Now and then
MRS. saunders looked at Mrs. Hart and
| raised her eyebrows meaningly. Mrs Hart
| responded with slow shake of her head
| and an eloquent shrug of her shapely
| shoulders. Presently there was a little an
| nunclatory cough from the door, Both wo-
| men turned and beheld Mrs Dillingham;
Smith standing the threshold. They rose
| to their feet, but before either could utter
a word deep, even voice said:
| Mrs. Dillingham; Smith having been dis
! covered, begs to explain
| AT the same moment hand was raised
| swiftly, the luxurious brown wig was in
| continently whisked off, and Dillingham;
| smith IN faultless feminine attire stood be-
| fore them
| What. whatr' gurgled Mrs Hart, and
| sank into her chair
| 'Lordy" gasped the startled Mrs. Saun-
| GERS, and sat down with quite as much pre-
| cipitancy
Ihey stared with ncredulous eyes at the
strange figure before them, and as in a
cream they heard Dillingham; Smiths prof
| fered explanations:
| " u see, when the Harringtons moved
| out L looked at this place. and knew it
| would be the very thing for Virginia and
| me when We married in the spring SO
| rented 1t; then it was SO quiet and so coy,
| ana SO generally attractive here that /
wanted TO quit my dreary life in modern
| pachelor apartment house and come here
| 10 1--we at once. But the agent told me tina t
| Only married people could live within these
| hallowed precincts. Well, I'd had consid-
cradle training in playing feminine roles In
the Athletic Club theatricals, and so Mrs.
| Dillingham; Smith pro tenn. came into be-
ing. L certainly owe you and all the ter
| race. for that matter, every apology"
| Mrs Hart vaguely.
L think we owe you an apoloey" said
! Mrs Saunders
"Oh, no, indeed" said he cheerfully
| But say, you won't give me away, Will
| you? It's only few months until May,
| and then therell be a real Mrs. DiIling-
| ham Smith,
| Rest assured Wen be very discreet, -
| said Mrs. Hart. She turned to Mrs Saun-
| ders. Il think we'd better go straight to
| Virginia and explain our rather peculiar
| behavior of this afternoon
80 do t. Mrs. Saunders agreed heartily
| "Oh, say, will you let me go with your
| asked Mrs. Dillingham; Smith pro tenn