Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-07-21
SUNDAY MAGAZINE FOR JULY FL. 1907

it served too to accentuate the pallor of her oval
face He stood lost in sheer wonder at her lowell
ness, until he saw a puzzled look creep into her
large gray eyes.
Il asked you to come in," he said presently, when
he had pulled himself together, because Mrs.
Morton and myself have rather an important ques-
ton which we are anxious that you shall decide
for US
I'm afraid you have chosen rather poor person
to decide anything of Importance" she said, smil
ing slightly; but l shall do my best if you tell
what it is.
While she had spoken she had begun to draw
off her gloves. Seeing this, Mrs. Morton crossed
quickly to her and laid OBTAINING hand upon her
arm
Then you must give your whole attention to
the subject" she reproved her The gloves can wait
till later
As the words left her lips she became aware of
the mans steady gaze. Raising her head, she faced
along he had suspected the of the woman of
her story, and now her attempt to keep his wlfes
hand covered had made the suspicion certainty.
The whole affair was to be left to the woman
herself.
1T is about Mrs Morton's nephew Howard that
troubled, the Senator began-he had care
fully averted his eyes that he could not see his
wifes sudden start of alarm. He has unfortunately
become entanged with woman who is already
married. Who she is neither Mrs. Morton nor l
know" he added rapidly We merely have bare
outline of the facts"
His eyes were still averted, as Mrs. Mortons.
Neither of them saw the white, scared look that
there,
They are he continued resolutely, something
like this: The womans husband has long neglected
her, and she is and has been most unhappy. How
ard this unhappness understood it, and felt
great pity for it-so great indeed that he mistook
it for love. He told the woman that he loved
her, and asked her give herself into his keeping;
but she was good woman, and, although greatly
drawn to him lin her loneliness it was but natural
that his kindness should attract herr she resisted
him, although she promised that if she changed her
mind she would send him signal. Well" he had
seated himself at his table and was idly lingering
pen, 'afterward she did change her mind, and sent
for him" He paused for moment, and then, with
a genteness that with him, proceeded with
his statement.
But in the meantime Howard had grown to recog
niZe his real feelings toward her Not that he
pented. He ready to stand by his promise;
only he realized that meant unhappiness for them
both"
He paused again, still idly playing with the pen;
the grief he causing the woman ne loved She
still stood before the fireplace rigid and motioness
1t seemed almost though she a figure carved
in stone.
Something of this" her husband went on "he
told Mrs. Morton; but not all Much of it she has
guessed and guessing it, she has come tonight to
ask me to give Howard appointment which will
take him to the Philippines He nut start to-
morrow. The mission is most i'm Jrtant
the nan who has it can save his country from
danger which seriously threatens. Mrs. Morton be-
lieves that Howard will consider his duty para
mount to the woman who has ntrusted her future
to him" He stopped abruptly, and for'the first
time his wife spoke.
And you, she asked quetly,-"you have con-
sented?"
That is the point upon which we desire to con-