Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1907-11-11
THE SIN
OF OMISSION.


London FOG seemed 70 have dTjfted
into the very corners OF hts brain,
coloring his unhappy reflections its
own dismal hue.
SO the game was mp. He had
stuck II out reasonable length Of
time. but pride IS one thing and
Quixousm another. It had hart bit
terly to throw up the sponge aud
write home 10 the dad, but the time
had come TO face stubborn. relent-
less facts. he had been conceited
idiot to fancy that be could win out
with his miserable stun. lie looked
grimly about him az the unsolG pic
lures just so much worthless junk.
He had tramped from dealer to deal
er, descended from ideals TO pot
boilers all 70 no purpose aud he
now found himself stranded and
dead broke
And now ali that was left was to
go back home--back to the "I-told-
you-so" crowd and the steady grind
OF the dads factories; to give up
London, with its freedom and dear
Ec1emianism. Would It be 50 bad
fhos q after all? Oh, the luxury of
three solid meals day once more
AMI the satisfaction of wearing coat
an trousers that matched.
But Muriel? All. well-an ocean,
more or less, between them could not
more hopelessly divide them than
she herself, had already done on that
blue Mondoy when she had with such
brutal frankness pronounced his lat
est masterpiece a wretched daub
No doubt he had been a fool to
resent It. Indeed, not more than two
days after the quarrel he had de-
termined to go honestly to her and
tell her SO. Then had appeared one
of her characteristic, spicy little art
criticisms In the Palette and Brush"
in which she roasted his last canvas
to turn That, OF course, had fin
ished everything.
And she had cared too, for in the
half-dozen times he had seen her
since, she had looked as tired and
worried as he felt. But. OF course,
after this revelation
A sharp rap at the door startled
an answeringly sharp come in"
from him and he found himself tear
ing open telegram.
Forgive me. Ny fault Cannot
bear 1t any longer. II you come at
once you will be in time to die with
me. Muriel."
He stared at the typewritten sheet
the letters dancing giddily before
him, cold perspirarion starting from
every pore. Then like madman he
shook himself into his coat and hat.
God If he should be too late. Poor
poor little girl. What a blind idiot
he had been. To think it should
mean this
Five minutes later he frantically
pressed the bell button at the door
OF her little bachelor apartment"
and listened in terror for some sign
of life within.
A soft rustic Of skirts greeted his
ears; a happy little murmur and the
door swung open and his bewlldered
senses took in Muriel, radient, laugh
ing, with soft black hair deliberately
coiffed, cleaning arms and shoulders
revealed by the unaccustomed for
mality OF her evening derss.
"Oh! Tommy" she cried. holding
out both hands. Il knew you would
come even II ] have been a hateful
little pig"
In a daze he tried to comprehend
the cheerful scene, so vastly different
from the one he had dreaded to
find. Then his hand went into his
pocket and drew forth a crumDled
telegram. once more he read IL and
then sternly held It out to the won
deriny girl.
Now" he said coldly, perhaps
you will explain this silly message.
II may be your idea Of a joke. but
-" he choked suddenly, unnerved
by the strain under which he had
been.
Muriel took It from him and read.
A look Of startled bewilderment
was quickly succeeded By a hysteri-
cal chuckle as she sank TO a chair
and gave way 10 uncomfortable
laughter.
Poor old Tommy she cried.
poor old BOY" Then another look
into his wrathful face sent her into
another gale OF unhoIy mirth.
Holloway turned sharply 10 the
door, but a OBTAINING hand caught
his arm.
Just a moment, Tom. You are
wasting ammunition IA the wrong
direction. Saye that fierce temper
for the typewriter IN the telegraph
once. for, dear, what ] really wrote
was you VIII be IN time to dine
With me. Just one little letter made
all that difference between life and
death. And nov, since you are in
time 70 dine With ne, come along,
Tommy. and let's talk things over"
The next day being chilly apd
the letter Of reconciliation from
Holloway senior, with ifs substantial
Enclosure. being still tEo days ont
OF. the high seas. Tom warmed his
room 70 q comfortable gIow. using
as fuel bis wboie stock u lmDoss1-
be caBgsees.
Two weeks later The Iyernia. sail
ing from Liverpool Included in -