The Washington herald., 1907-10-16

met at your house There must be
good many things you can't talk about 10
your husband"
COlegrove's words were guarded, but
something in his tone expressed a sub
tie contempt for Senator March. Sud
denly, and without the slightest premoni-
ton, Alicia March felt herself coloring
with anger at Colegrove's words He
dared 20 say one word against her hus-
band In her presence. II was tie first
strong feeling she had ever experienced
where Roger March was concerned. and
II lighted up her eyes, an6 brought the
blood TO her face and she answered him
sharply
I am not worthy OF my husband, you
and I both know 1t. and walked out of
the room.
Colegrove followed her, hat in hand.
and fun Of apologies. protesting ig-
norance as to how be had offended her.
She allowed him 10 assist her into the
cab, but merely bade him a chilly good
bye. COlegrove watched the cab as il
fumbled of in the dusk and then said
to himself
4 shall let her get into a tighter place
than ever for money before 7 give her
another lift But. by Jove, if I were in
Narch's place 1 would have had that
womah's confidence Ions ago.
Then 1t occurred tC him that there was
in reality a great gulf between Senator
March and the woman who was his wife.
and man like ColeErove. This did not
disconceTt Colegrove in the least, as il
was his invariable practice 10 see things
as they were and never 10 blink the
truth.
1t was half-past o'clock before Alicia
March entered the door Of her hons. In
stead Of going 10 her boudoir. she went
into Senator March's study He was At
his desk hard at work-he was known
as the hardest worked man in the SEN
ate-but he had not failed 20 notice his
wife's absence.
Really" he said. turning I'm his chair.
and taking her hand as she came for
ward into the circle CT light cast by the
oId-fashioned student lamp, which burned
upon his desk. you must not stay out
so late. II I had known III what diree-
ton you walked I should have gone TO
meet you at O'Clock"
You are fancifuI." replied Alicia and.
for the almost first time in their married
life. gave him an Unasked caress. passing
her arm around his neck and STOPPING TO
kiss him. It was not lost on Senator
March.
You know how to win pardon, he
said, "but-but don't do it again. Since
you have been gone have been studying
up some Of the performances Of your
friend Colegrove, and / can't make out
whether he is a virtuOus sufferer OF q
very able and accomplished scamp"
II met Mr.. Colegrove while ] was out
said Alicia, remembering the sum in her
little bag, which would by no means pay
all her bills. "and I promised to ask him
to dinner" and then suddenly remem-
bered that COlegrove had told her not to
mention his presence in Washington. She
had in truth been thinking more Of her
husband than Of ColegrOye for the last
half-hour.
Senator March, however, did not observe
any significance in his wife's casual
words, and answered:
oh very we'll. l am not down on
Colegrove personally. he is a very good
dinner guest. and there isn't any reason
why you shouldn't ask him if you wish
90. VIII you invite him 20 meet the
Carlyons?'
Alicia March turned a little pale at the
suggestion. She had begun to be some
what afraid of Colegrove's singular acute
ness and power to make her tell things
she did not mean to tell him. He might
divine something Of that past which had
existed between Sir Percy Carlyon and
herself And Sir Percy. having known
her long before either Colegrove or her
husband, might suspect something be-
tween Colegrove and herself. She had,
however, been used to these complications
for many years, and could readily bring
herself TO meet them. Her sense Of hui
NOR was small. but she had q glimmer
when she said to her husband:
Yes; we can have Mr.. COlegrOve and
the CaTlyons together"