The Washington herald., 1907-10-19
CHAPTER XII.

cab horse to drag the vehicle to the
door Of the splendid home which was
now Alicia March's alone. AS she en-
tered she met Watson.
rs my husband bere?" she asked.
Watson raised his eyebrows in cool
contempt
He IS on his way to his ranch in the
West. never to return. May I see you
now for a few minutes to transact some
necessary business?"
Alicia, without a word, led the way TO
her own boudoir. passing the door Of her
husbands study. The desk was clear,
and already men were at work packing
the books. which were all that Roger
March took from the noble fittings OF
what had once been his home. Il was
so like removing the peraphernalia Of a
dead man that Alicia shuddered as she
passed the door. Seated at a table in
her own rooms, Watson passed over 70
her certain deeds, papers, and bank
book. showing a large sum Of money de-
posted TO her credit at the bank For
all OF these he required Alcia's signed
receipt which she mechanically gave,
understanding little of the details Of bust
ness. When it was over. Watson rose
and took his hat.
But, said Alicia, dazed and distraught
by all that had passed so quickly, and
helpless in the management of affairs,
what shall do with these things? VIII
you take charge Of them? really don't
don't understand
Excuse me-" answered Watson coldly,
1t is impossible fer me to act further in
your affairs If you wish any more in
formation, and viii notify me who is
your man of business. I will consult with
him at any time" And without saying
good morning. and putting his hat on in
her presence, Watson left the room
Alicia sat stunned, but dimly conscious
Of the indignity and affront put upon
her. She was of a caste accustomed TO
all the niceties of respect. and she had
managed 10 retain them until now. She
began 20 ask herself, If she received
such treatment frcm Watson, what might
she expect from the whole world? And
then. there was an awful sense Of loss
IN the mere absence Of her husband.
Often during the four years Of her last
marriage il had seemed 10 her as if
her husband was the person who put
everything out OF joint. She had her
establishment, her money, her liberty,
and could do as she pleased, which was
freely granted her, and life would have
been delightful, but close 10 her always
was this man before whom she must
ever act the part of a perfectly upright
woman. It was that which had pro
duCed the curious sense of dislOCatiOn
and beWildermsnt which had always
haunted her. Now that he was gone.
however. the dislOCatiOn and beWildeT-
mCnt seemed greater than ever She
came of good fighting stock and pres
emily she found q little OF her courage,
and began TO think what was best TO
90 in order TO save herself The first
thing, OF course was TO have her father
come To her. She wrote out a long and
urgent cablegram certain to bring Gen.
Talbot al once, and then, ringing for
servant. sent il off. There would be
time enough before Gen. Talbotts arrival
&c consider what she should tell and
what should remain unknown. Then the
thought that Sir Percy and Lady Carlyon
must surmise the truth came TO her, and
II was poignant enough to make itself
lfelt even in those frst hours Of shock.
'She was no more able to rid herself Of
the involuntary hold which Sir Percy
Carlyon had upon her than she had been
a dozen years before. With the Carlyons,
however, she had strong card to play
in Gen. Talbot who would soon be at
hand She sent for the servants and
calmly informed them that her husband.
whom she called Mt. March for the first
time, would be absent indefinitely and
that the establishment would be kept up
and they could retain their positions if
their cOnducr remained good
In the afternoon COlegrOve's card was
brought up TO her. She went down into
one of the vast silent drawing-rooms to
see him COlegTOVe was not pleased at
this. and would rather have seen her in
her boudoir, but nevertheless met her
with a smile and debOnnair manner
Alicia looked pale, but her manner was
quite composed
Il hope you viii pardon rne for saying
that 1 am afraid your husband has acted
hastily" said COlegrove, when they were
seated but of course the career of a
man like that can't be closed sc sudden
~ All Of this will blow over in time. and
five years from to-day we may see him in
the Senate again. As far as 7 am con
cerned, ] have lost a good friend. and I
shall now be bounded into retirement, if
not into prison
He smiled as he spoke, showing his
white even teeth. and Alicia could not but
admire his cool courage in the face Of
what must have been 10 him a catas-
trophe scarcely less than her own. They
were sitting in the embrasUTe of a win
dow, and their low voices were lost in the
expanse Of the great room. Nevertheless
ColegrOye did not consider il an ideal
place 10 say what he had come 10 say.
He said il, however, glancing through
the Wlde-Open doors to see that no person
was in hearing.
March has accused himself of what no
one believes but has left you 20 bear the
real burden. That Is really what his al
legged confession amounts TO- I don't
think that YOU owe him anything. II he
stays away, as you tell me he means 10,
you may claim your freedom at any time.
and then, perhaps, you will consider me.
who would never leave you as March mas
done For my own part, /. Of course. can
get "a divorce any day / choose"
The same strange feeling of Indignation
came over Alicia which she felt when Cole
grove had once before made Implication
against Roger March. sun she did not
repulse him. who was the only human
being who had voluntarily come 10 her
that day and she felt intuitively that he
was the only one who would continue TO
come.
You must not speak OF such things"
she said coldly and rising.
Colegrove rose, too. He had IMPLANTED
the notion in her mind that March. after
all, had sacrificed her, aud that she was
nothing 20 him. A new expression came
into Alicia's speaking eyes. She looked
hxedly at COlegrove. and then bent her
head in reflection.
4 go now" said Colegrove, ITO fight
my battle. I don't know how. or when.
or where It viii end; but if they drag me
down I will, like Samson, drag down an