Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1906-05-30


for bit, l should like you to come
and lunch with me tomorrow
"wednesday ut 1870. II you come
am prepared TO overlook your COM
parative neglect of me since your mar
riage. II you don't. beware, Yours
ever l suppose | need not read the
name In your wifes presence, Mr.
Henshawi" concluded Miss Pinkerton,
and then she gave something like
gasp
For the effect OF the letter on Jack
had been marvellous. His cigarette was
discarded His callous smile had
changed to a sickening look of shame.
When he stood up he actually shook.
and his lips apparently framed words.
though for some time no sound came
from them. At last he spoke. but his
voice was hollow and scarcely recog-
niZable
No, II is not necessary to read the
name" he said. with a shiver.
He walked slowly over to the win
dow with dropping head.
Grace had turned TO him with a look
OF wonder and alarm which deepened
as he spoke.
Upon my honor. Grace" he said,
Il cannot understand this. assure
you have given this-this girl no
encouragement that could induce her
to write letter like this after my
marriage" His wife had dropped the
fiimsy mask that she had worn none
too well. and confronted him with
pale face. She could find. however.
nothing to say. except to repeat his
last words.
After your marriage what do you
mean?"
Jack made an idiotic attempt at jocu
larity. jlngled some money in his
pocket. and feebly laughed.
Well. of course you know that
man isn't ahswerable to his wife for
his pre-nuptial flirtations."
Mrs. Henshaw's self-control was
breaking down under the weight of
her discovery.
With a sudden access OF pardonable
fury. and forgetful of the part she had
been playing:
WHO is she? What's her name?"
Jack turned from the window with
look of establishment, and muttered
disjointedly:
Her name! Why surely. The let
ter! Miss Pinkerton read it, BY
George. though, she didn't read the
name!" Then. with the eyes of both
women upon him, a look of horrid en-
lightenment suddenly came into his
face.
Great Jupiter. her name. Do you
hear? Tell me her name at once!
Which one was it,"
There was complete silence for the
space OF ten seconds. Jack Henshaw
counted them by the clock. Then Mrs.
Henshaw rushed out OF the room in
tears. Jack turned to Miss Pinker-
ton, who had remained silent
throughout. and now looked really
frightened.
What will she do?" he asked, ex-
citedly.
She would probably go TO her moth
err" she said, in some alarm, "un-
less"
But Jack did not wait for the alter
native
That's what feared, It's the more
exasperating because 1t will bring
your visit to such a sudden conclu-
sion. OF course you will understand.
II my sisters were here ii would be
different | suppose Grace will go at
once. I'll fetch a cab" And before
she could stop him he was at the
front door blowing excited double
blasts on a CAP whistle.
Then he summoned a maid.
Miss PinkeTton finds she has to
leave us suddenly. Will you please
help her to pack?"
Before the astonished spinster
could find breath to reply she was
bundled out of the room with more
haste than dignity.
Jack rushed up to his wife's room,
three steps at time. A very tear
full Come in" answered his knock,
and in a very few moments Jack Hen
shaw had dismissed the idea that he
was the injured person and was fully
convinced that he was the hardest
hearted scoundrel living. His con-
duct was quite unjustifable, but he
could at least palliate II.
You see, knew you were hav-
ing me-" he explained rather lamely:
II also knew, or rather, guessed, that
the letter was from Kate Tracey.
was beastly severe, [ know, but
couldn't think what you were driv-
ing at. You know my old penchant
for amateur acting; / saw the posi-
bility of the situation, and couldn't re-
sist it. And dear Miss Pinkerton-"
An! Where is she? / had quite
forgotten her! It was her mad idea.
A great scheme for making you ridicu-
lous. Ridiculous, indeed"
That reminds me-" said her hus-
band. going TO the door, dear Miss
P!Gkerton thought she would leave
us. In fact, her cabs at the door now.
MOI don't trouble TIL sen hor ott