Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-09-23

and the very next time 1 found myself
alone with her 1 introduced the subject.
You have been living here in Dresden
long time, have you not?" l asked. About
five years.. She answered. ION and off,"
And all alone" l commented, with sigh
intended to invite confidence. We'll hardly
alone, she corrected me, while a look of
patient resignation added dignity to her
piquant features. You see. there are the
dear children always round about me during
the holidays. Besides" she added the
people here are all so real kind to me. they
hardly ever let me feel myself alone We
make up little parties, you know. picnics
and excursions, and then. of course. there
Is the opera and the symphony concerts
and the subscription dances. The dear old
king has been doing good deal this winter.
too. and must say the embassy folks have
been most thoughtful so far as / am con-
cerned- No. 1t would not be right for
to complain OF loneliness, not now that l
have got to know a few people. it were"
But don't you miss your husband?' | sug-
gested. cloud passed over her usually
sunny face. "Oh, please don't talk about
him., she said: lit makes me feel real sad
thinking about him.. But. having com
menced. 1 was determined that my sym
pathy should not be left to waste What
did he die OFF, 1 asked. She gave me a
look the pathos of which shall never for
get. Say, young man." she cried, are you
trying to break it to me gently? Because,
If so, I'd rather you told me straight ou..
What did he die Off" Then. isn't he deady'
l asked. Il mean SO far as you know"
Never heard word about his being dead
till you started the idea,'' she retorted.
so far as / know he's alive and well"
l said that l was sorry. / went on to
explain that did not mean that i was sorry
to hear that in all probability he alive
and well. What | meant was that l was
sorry 1 had introduced painful subject.
What painful subject?" why, your hus-
band" l replied. But why should you call
him a painful subject" 1 had an idea that
she was getting angry with me. She did
not say so. l gathered it. But l had to
explain myself somehow. Well" L
swered, Il take it you didn't get on well
together. and l am sure it must have been
his fault" Now. look her she said,
don't you breathe a word against my hus-
band or we shall quarrel. A nicer, dearer
divorce him for?" l asked. 1t was imperti-
nent; it was unjustifiable. My excuse is
that the mystery surrounding the American
husband had been worrying me for months.
Here had l stumbled upon the opportunity
of solving it. Instinctively l chung to my
advantage. There has not been any di-
vorce. There is not going to be any divorce.
You Will make me cross in another minute
But l was becoming reckless. He Is not
dead. You are not divorced from him!
Where is he?" ! demanded with some heat.
Where is he?" she replied, astonished.
Where should he be? At home. of course"
room with it's air of coy comfort, of sub
stantiaI restfulness. What home?" 1
asked. What home! Why. home In
Detroit" What is he doing there?" 1 had
become so much in earnest that my voice
had assumed unconSciously an authoritative
tone. Presumably it hypnotized her. She
answered my question as though she had
been in the witness box. How do know?
How can l possibly tell you what he is do
ing? What do people usually do at homer"
Answer the questions madam; don't asa
them. What are you doing here? Quite
truthfully. if you please Ny eyes were