The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-04-15
CHAPTER V (Cont'd).

NGEEclAAA rAAAotig % me-
had written the night before that
vas coming, but for some reason the
letter was delayed, and reached there
before Il did. It was about 1 o'clock.
AS the maid opened the door. Edith
was coming downstairs, charmingly
gowned, ready for the street At first
I thought had never seen her look so
we'll, and then noticed a certain ner-
vous excitement, and a hard brilliancy
about her eyes
She greeted me cordially. but 1 felt
something not quite natural IN her man.
ner. 1 found that she had q luncheon
engagement, but she insisted on break
ing IL and spending the Afternoon with
me- In spite of my protests, she went
10 the telephone in the hall. She closed
the door and spoke in a low tone, yet
could not help hearing part Of what
she said, though 1 walked to the win
dow farthest away from the hall. And
what I heard seemed very strange.
When she came back into the room,
her face was slightly flushed.
''It is all right have postponed the
luncheon till Friday. You need not feel
conscience stricken, for 1 would much
rather have it then: by that time I will
have the gown the tailor disappointed
noe about today.
Now, come upstairs, and Wen take
or our things. I'll have Jane serve US
something up there, so we can have a
nice long talk I'm sure we've lots to
talk about" with a little laugh that
seemed hard and mirthless.
During the luncheon we talked OF only
the most inpersonal things, neither of
us touching on her divorce or the letter
- hn
puzzled had never known that she
drank Wtue. particularly at luncheon,
but now she drank a good deal.
When the maid had cleared away the
things she drew out a small silver case
filed with cigarettes and lit one care
Iessly. Seeing the amazement I could
not keep from my, eyes. she laughed
again that hard little laugh.
s-'Oh. yes, smoke now-every one
does"
The afternoon passed in desultory gos-
SIP, with stin no reference TO her hus-
Band or to anything at all personal.
When I asked about the children, she
answered briefly that they were in
boarding school and came home every
other week to spend Sunday And this
vas the woman whom for years 1 had
Known to be the most adorinS mother,
rho could hardly let her children be out
81 her sight
about four the maid came IN with a
beng, white flower box. This Just
DAME, ma'an
livery well; you can leave It there on
the table, Edith said carelessly, but I
saw the color rushing to her face.
with what seemed almost like studied
Indifference, she talked on to me several
moments before she went over to- open
The box. From their tissue paper wrap
pings she lifted out a magnificent bunch
Of American Beauty roses.
l"Oh. what exquisite rosesg' I said in
Voluntarily.
Yes, they are lovely aren't they?
After all, there is no flower quite like
the rose" From the broad satin ribbon
that held them she unplnned small
envelope and slipped it unopened into
her dress.
And that was all. She arranged them
N some large vases, but made no fur
ther- comment about them
r
Horace was to call up at six. TO know
y had decided 10 return with him.
bad rather thought would stay, that a
few days from home might be well for
me. but now was anxious 10 so back.
whatever had happened in Edith's life.
\ fet II was something would rather
not know, and that to remain would
only be painful TO US both
When the telephone rang few mo-
nents after six. she answered it first.
heard her invite Horace TO dinner
And then: 81 am sorry YOU can't come
I'D, but am going 70 keep AIary-she
3 going 70 stay over day or two"
siAnd when / hurried to the phone
protesting, she covered the mouthpiece
and turned TO me with a strange ear
restness.
mo, you must stay, MaTy-you must
stay because / want you'll need yout
1 thought I didn't-that I was almost
sorry you had come, and that 7 would
let you 90 back AUTHORIZATIONS telling
you But I know now I cannot"
She thrust the receiver into my hand
"Tel him that YOU have decided to
stay-at least until tomorrow"
Relue .antly 1 yielded I seemed pow
erless TODD anything else.
When hung back the receiver. she
Faid nervously. I'VE are not going 10
talk about IL noW-nOt Just yeti don't
think ! can. Frank will be home for
dinner tonight; he dimes here about
twice week, and I always manage
70 have some guests. Mr.. and Mrs. /
Elton are coming tonight, and George /
Forester and Grace Hartford-you re- 1
member herr"
She talked on about the dinner and
t1e guests. making no further reference /
70 her husband. I asked no questions.
I had something Of the feeling one has I
IN watching the developments OF a /
play.
Later wheB Edith dressed for dinner. \
] realized s ddenly that she was stiU
a young and beautiful woman She
wore pale lavender gown that was cut I
lower and fitted more closely. and was \
more subtIy striking than anything / /
had ever seen her wear ! did not see
Frank Darlington until he took me in TO
dinner. He was man who looked par
rcularly well in evening dress. and as /
looked at Edith and then at him I won
dered why love had ceased between these
two. Physically, at least they were
both attractive. And yet several times
during the dinner I saw him glance at
her across the table, and there was in