Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-02-21

teacher. kathie goes to him three times
week, and she says he's the finest in town.
And in appreciation Dick found his Win-girl
hugging, pinching, and kissing him like pleased
child. So the evening was spent.
THE following day, after W1nlfred had gone
to keep her appointment with her friend,
Dick decided to read bit before starting for
the concert. He had concluded to 60 alone,
since there was SO little time to invite some
one else. When the time to start down town
arrived he made sure of his tickets, as was
always his habit
Jumping catsl" he exclaimed: What
thickhead am, to be sure! Well, Win-girl will
certainly have the laugh mel" There,
glazing up at him from the coupons, was the
date of the week before. He sat gazing and
chuckling aloud at intervals
II know what II do: III call up the girl
and tell her the joke. Then l can run up and
meet her N.Y. but she will enjoy it :"
The number secured, he asked for Mrs.
White, telling the clerk that she could be found
with Miss Rogers, who was attending some sort
of Woman's Club affair up stairs. After a
short wait Dick heard the rustic of skirts and,
"Helloi This is Miss Rogers"
"Oh, Miss Rogers, this is Mr.. White. Will
you be good enough to ask Winifred to step
to the 'phone?"
why, Mr. White, Winifred is not here"
mot there!" almost shouted Dick, why
why-er-Nliss Rogers, l thought W1n1ired
said she to be with you this afternoon.
-er-guess l must have misunderstood her
You surely must have. l haven't seen
Winifred in over a week. How is she? Well?
That S good. Give her my love. please. Goodby."
Dick had to grope for the hook on which to
hang the receiver. He sank back into chair
and felt like sobbing; but he set his lips
firmly, quickly jumped to his feet, donned his
hat, coat, and gloves, and left the house.
What could it all mean
HE returned in time to dress for dinner; but
with the ashen gray pallor and set lines
a bout his mouth anyone could see the suffering
had determined to keep from Winifred the fact
that he knew she had deceived him; but it
was well nigh impossible. Many times during
the dinner conversation, which centered about
the joke of the tickets, Winifred would ask
Are you feeling all right, Dicket dear?"
Dick would gaze searchinglv at her and an
pet name. Why"
"Oh. you look a bit strange; not exactly tired
Perhaps you've been reading too much. Yes,
that's it, you We been strainlng your eyes.
Then for the first time since the afternoon
assertions began he realized that she had never
shown any interest as to his wherea bouts
during her absence 1t was plain to be seen
that something very odd was happening. And
find out he would, no matter what pain the
truth might bring! He waited with bated
breath to hear what excuse she would make
for the following afternoon, and sure enough
it came:
I'm have such pile of shopping to do to-
morrow!"
He managed to force to his set lips sad
smile. And who may my rival be this time"
"Oh-its-Mrs. French. She asked me al
most a week ago. You don't mind?" she in
quired, glancing up from her fancywork rather
nervously, he thought. She referred to it
again to-day, at the meeting"
Dicks heart almost stopped beating but
he managed to respond, why, not at all.
What time are you to meet herr"
AT two-thirty, in Baltman's."
He sat looking at the stray tresses of her
beautiful hair that seemed to form a halo
about her head. Here indeed was deceit and
yet how innocent she seemed! He felt like
running over and taking her in his arms and
all the while begging her to explain the lie.
Strangely enough he sat quite still, Won
dering whether she was really going shopping
or what she intended doing. Where had she
been that afternoon and all the others? Truly
he was perplexed and almost disheartened.
A ND when the next day dawned nasty
rainy one, it just suited the mood in which
he found himself. He had made up his mind
to learn where Winifred went; so little be-
fore the time set for the appointment he sta
toned himself in the neighborhood of their
apartment He had not long to wait, and it
was not difficult to keep Winifred in view as
she departed down the street and turned the
corner. Following quickly after her, he was
inst time RI her slim ipfO q faxica ct and