Bisbee daily review., 1909-07-06
262O Oxford Place
by J. B. Lippincott co.S
By K.sharins H. Brown


 1copyright. by J. B. Lippincott Col
 The brilliant August sky had gloved all afternoon like a vast furnace. radt ating flames of sickening heat; but as four o'clock great masses of black cloud began to sweep up over Capito' hill into ominous rank and files accom- panied by an occasional roll of thun der. Lieut.. Julian Elliott, U. s. A. came slowly out of the Raleigh. and re garded the threatening horizon with 6 critical eye,
 Elliott looked indecisiyeiy at the ancient carriage just drawing up tc the curb, then at the open car swing. ing up Pennsylvania avenue. A loud CT roar of thunder and a glance at his immaculate linens decided him. T want to look decent on my wedding anniversary" he reflected, amusedly. Then he said to the driver: You can take me to No 2620 Oxford place, Northwest, way up beyond Dupont l Circle. And be swift. 1 want to get there before it rains," and he stepped l into the cab.
 The driver beamed amiably over this bit of chan. Elliott settled back into the seat and watched the hurried lines | of people rush past the cab-window | with dull. unseeing eyes. Water sweeps down like it did outside Ma | nila," he muttered. "Jove, how yellow l my hands are, Anyone could see I've l had the fever. 1 suppose I'd better take the night train to New York and sail for Hayre on the first boat, so long as I have got to go anyway. Ii | isn't pleasant, this meeting people everywhere who are so eager to in quire about your wife Wife. indeedl ! Glad you're getting home alive. that blackguard Stevens told me, so your womenfolks can coddle you little Yes, think l see them; my mother especially. No tears nor embraces for the returned soidier-boy in my dear | family"
 He pulled two crumpled letters from I his pocket. and glanced through them with eyes that anticipated every word and sentence. The first was from his stepmother:
 New York. December i2. 1888 | My Dear Julian:
 Your note telling us that you are go- ing off to Manila to help fight those stu pid savages is just received. I'm sorry that you will be in such disagreeabie l place this coming year: still. your being l away for some time may help to sinipli- fy matters when you return. Nancy tells me that you and she have practically | agreed upon a quiet separation. II I shall keep the dear child with me as long as she cares to stay. and so far she seems perfectly contented, as long as she can devote herself to Toms little ones. I suppose 1t Is your insane jealousy of your dead brothers children which has caused this disgraceful thing. IL certain ly can't be Nancy's fault. I'm sorry you ever married her. I know ii was very TO- mantle and all that, but the whole af- fair was the result of so sudden an at tachnlent that really don't believe you knew your own minds. IL does seem a pity. though that you could only stay friends for bare six months. Well. lei il go. l never pose as a peacemaker, and. besides. I don't think you two are ! longing to be reconciied. Come and sec me when you return from Manila Don't get shot, don't have yellow-fever. and don't forget that am
 Ever your sincere friend.
 HoRATIA LORD ELLIOTT.
 The second letter was shorter, and if possible, more indifferent in tone: II New York, December F. 1898. I My Dear Mir. Elliott:
 Mother tells me that she Is writing tC you. and I'll just add a line to say that !. am well and happy. and that I propose l to remain here until your return iron the Philippines. Then I shall go back tt England. and make my home there in definitely. Our marriage has been a mis l taks-they say all nasty marriages are } but the few months have been so pleas f ant in many ways that do not regre , tt .s.
 ! Hoping that you will return from thi. interesting expedition in the best O health and spirits. l remain. [ Very sincerely. , NANCY FoRBEs-CaRoLUs ELLIOTT. ii P. S.-I retain your name at presen to avoid annoying inquiries. Upon my re turn to England I shall probably resurn, my own.
 Elliott tore the first letter int,
 minute strips and flung them out O
 the window. The second went bacl
 into his pocket As he tucked it ii <, mechanically, something caught hi attention outside.
 2 Hi, there, driver" he shouted, .cal Q to that lady that she can have thi T cab, and I'll yacate. She'll b l. drenched."
 The rain. which lad stopped treach 3 eTiously for a few moments. was nov dashing down with renewed force. ] slender girl came hurrying across . side street, reaching the avenue jus
 as the downpour recommended. Sh
 looked about irresolutely for a mo
 ment: then. at sight of the driver s beckoning finger. she hurried to tn Y cab, gave the man a hasty direction e and began tugging at the rusty doc o before Elliott had time to unfasten i VI She did not glance up until the kno g gave way-then Elliott felt his breat e leave him suddenly as he looked dow g. into his wife's eyes
 For a moment neither spoke. S,
 preme amazement held them in duIIe d silence. Nancy was the first to r, n-I cover herself
 T. "PardbH. she said. lowing slight, . as though addressing stranger. , . . did not dream that there was anyon in the cab. I-D of Nancy. get in. beg of you" erie 1e Elliott. springing out You'll cate as your death Of cold; you're wet a
 ready. I'll take car"
 -'oh. DO. thank you.s she returne