Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-05-19
CHAPTER TX.
The Sword of Damocles.

intercepted by message. 1t was his wife $
maid who came hurrying out after him.
Il beg your pardon. sir she said. but
her ladyship particularly wished to see
you as soon as you came In"
as your mistress in?" Darlington asked
in some surprise.
Eyes. sir!' the maid answered. Her
ladyshp is resting before she goes to the
ball at Caleram House. She is in her room
now"
Il will come up at once" Darlington
said
He kept the carriage waiting while he
assembled to his wife's room. There was
no answer to his knock. He opened the
door softly. She was asleep on a couch
drawn up before the fire.
He crossed the room noiselessly, and stood
looking down upon her. Her 1.-the, soft
figure had fallen into a posture of grace
ful. almost voluptuous ease; the ribbons
and laces of her muslin dressing gown
quivercd gently with her deep regular
breathing. She had thrown off her slip
pers. and one long, slender foot was ex-
posed; the other was doubled up under
meath her body. Her face almost like
the face OF child. smooth and unwrinkled.
save for one line by the eyes where she
laughed. He looked at her steadfastly.
Could the closing of eyes indeed, make all
the difference? Life and the knowledge
of life seemed things far from her con-
sciousness. Could one look like that-even
in sleep-and underneath! harrington
broke away from his train of thought and
woke her Quickly.
She sat up and yawned
Parsons managed to catch you. them"
she remarked
Yes" he answered. II was just of.
l got away from Wills dinner party early,
and called here for some notes. l must
be at the house"-he glanced at the clock
I'm three-quarters of an hour!''
She nodded. Il won't keep you as long as
that"
Her eyes met his, a little furtively. full
of inquiry.
81 have done what you wished" she said
quietly. Il called at the Clarence Hotel!'
You saw him.
No! He sent back my card. He de-
clined to see me-
She showed no sign of disappointment.
She sat up and looked into the fire, smooth
ing her hair mechanically with her hands.
Personally" harrington continued, IT
could see no object whatever In my visit.
1 have nothing to say to him. nor, 1 should
think, he to me-. / am sorry for him,
OF course, but he'd never believe me IL
! told him -. What happened to him was
partly my fault, and unless he's changed
he's not likely to forget It."
She swayed little toward him.
1T was partly-also-mine," she MUIR
INJURED.
81 don't see that at ALL" he objected
You at any rate were blameless,"
She looked up at him, and he was aston
lshed to find how pale she was.
Il was not!" she said calmly.
There was short silence. harrington
had the air of man who has received
shock.
RUTH he exclaimed, glancing toward
the door. and speaking almost In a whisper.
DO you mean-that there are things which
] have never known
Yes! she answered. II mean that he
might, IL he chose, do US now-both of us
an immense amount of harm"
harrington sat down at the end Of the
sofa. He knew his wife enough to under
stand that this was serious
Let us understand one another, Ruth"
he said quietly. II always thought that
you were a little severe on Wingrave, at
the trial, He may bear you grudge for
that; 1t is very possible that he does. But
what can he do now? He had his chance
to cross-examine you, and he let 1t go by"
He has some letters of NINE" Lady
Ruth said slowly.
"Lettersi Written before the trial?'
Yes
why did he not make use Of them
there?"
.If he had" Lady Ruth said. with her
eyes fixed upon the carpet the sympathy
would have been the other way. He would
have got off with much lighter sentence,
and you-would not have married me!'
Good God!'' harrington muttered
you see," Lady Ruth continued, resting
her hand upon her husbands coat sleeve.
the thing happened all in a second. l had
the check in my hand when you and Sir
William came crashing through that win
dow. and Sir Williams eyes were upon me.
The only way to save myself was to re-
pudiate It, and let Wingrave get out of the
affair as well as he could. OF course, I
never guessed what was going to happen"
hen 1t was Wingrave." Darlington NUT
tered, who played the gamer
"Yes!' Lady Ruth answered quietly. But
] am not so sure about him now. You and
!, Lumley, know one another little better
today than. we did twelve years ago. We'
have had a few of the corners knocked off.
I suppose I can tell you things now I
didn't care to then. Wingrave had lent me
money before! He has letters from me to-
day, thanking him for it,
harrington was a large, ford man, well
built and well set up. In court he presented
rather formidable appearance. with his
truculent chin. his straight. firm mouth
and his commanding presence. Yet there
was nothing about him now which would
have inspired fear In the most nervous Of
witnesses. He looked like a man all broken
up by some unexpected shock.
IF he had produced those letters-at the
trial
Lady Ruth shrugged her shoulders.
Il risked It, anyhow" she said. Il had
me dogs chance. and didn't mean to go
under-then. Wingrave never gave me
away, but fancy he's feeling differently
aboIS II now!''
How do you know, Ruth?'
Il have seen him! He sent for met she
answered. ''Lumley, don't look at me like
that We're not In the nursery, you and I.
/ went because I had to. He's going to
America for a time. and then he's coming
back here. l think that when he comes
back-he means mischief
He is not the sort Of man to forget"
Darlington said. half to himself.
She shuddered ever so slightly. Then she
stretched out a long white arm, and draw
ing his head suddenly, down to her. kissed
him the lips.
III only" she murmured. "he would give
up the letters! Without them he might say
anything. No one would believe'.-
harrington raised his eyes to hers. There
was something almost pathetic In the wor-
Shipping light which shone there. He was
as he had always been. her. abject slave.
Can you think of any way?" he asked
Shall | go to him again?''
Useless she answered. You have MOTH
ing to offer in exchange. He would not
give them to me. He surely would not give
them to you. Shall l tell you what Is in
his mind? Listen. then! He is going abroad
TO America almost at once. He is rich now
he means to make more money there. Then
he will return. calling himself Mr.. Win
grave-an American-with imaginary letters
of Introduction to u.s. He has ann billions