Evening star., 1909-07-11

who sank abjectly on MS knees and with
tears in his eyes sobbed out his wnoie
pitiful story to milady of the forty canes.
He did not spare himself. He omitted no
part OF the story OF his foolish futterings
in the footlight's glare Of his sarile revel-
ings. or of anything over which ne felt
poignant sorrow or shame But somehow
it did not seem to be news to proud old
milady. She listened in silence to her
white haired husband-a silence that had
something of scorn and something OF pity
in it. She had not been blind-women see
more than men think they do and know
more of their folles. For fifty years he
had been supreme in that household, but
from that hour the house had new mas
ter. When he finished his confession mi-
lady waited long time before making
any comment. Her face was white and
drawn. When she spoke 1t was in a very
low, but a very determined tone.
There Is only one thing to do." she said.
1--WE must sell all and pay every dollar
we owe"
"All?' he repeated. 1t is my debt. not
yours. Everything that is here is yours
not mine. You owe nothing"
What you owe I owe she said de-
must be paid"
At once she took the whole affair into
her own hands. She Immediately set
about arranging for the sale Of the vast
accumulation Of treasures that she had
heaped up all through the years. She had
everything catalogued: each object-paint-
ing, sculpture, work Of cunning craftsman
that had a history-had it's story told In
way that would the most enhance its
value. She developed an aptitude for
business that was surprising in one who
had known the word business solely as an
excuse or as something sordid not to be
ure.
She put on the market the palace and
all it's costly contents; she sold her yacht.
her country home-everything. AS quick
ly as the money came in 1t went to salts
fly her husbands creditors.
AS the day set for the beginning OF the
sale of the art objects in her museum ap-
preached milady grew buster and buster.
Her husband sank deeper and deeper in
dependency and detection the while. The
milady made a tour through her mu-
scum The temple that had been like q
shrine to her she looked on for the last
time. Perhaps fresh courage filled her In
calm-eyed figure Of Buddha, impassive
under good and evil fortune. The paint
ings and the sculptures that had been her
comfort and her joy for nearly two gen.
eyes. scarce seeing their familiar outlines
At last, with one final lingering glance
that embraced all the lofty gallery golden
in the light of the afternoon sun. she said
a mute fareWeil ana ciOSeQ tHe uooI.
Then she drew up her handsome head
and stood erect and imperious as ever.
once more She sent one of the servants
that still remained to summon her hus-
band. Earlier in the day, without his
knowledge, all his personal belongings
had been packed and sent away. When
he came feebly in milady asked him to
go driving with her. Down the steps of
the mansion they went, arm in arm, he
leaning on her. She. though crippled.
WAS the stronger of the two modest
coupe was waiting-the little carriage that
held but two that they had purchased
many. many years ago when they were
young-brfde and bridegroom together.
On the box was old James, the servant
who had been with them through all their
fifty years OF welded life.
X
Milady helped her husband In and then
took a seat by his side. James needed no