The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-03-12
CHAPTER XVIII.
WHARTON GETS A SURPRISE.
<TT WAS all about the money
began Bettey.

]
! l. Wharton gave her a look
which was full Of Indignation.
| See herer' he broke out Il may
! look easy, and doubtless I am, but
! hand me some other sort Of a gag Put
the money in last Begin with the
park and the automobile"
why should I begin there?'' in
| Guired Betty with the most chndlike
expression imaginable on her face.
Because that's where the story COM
mences2' said Wharton emphatically.
He went over to where his wife stood
and shook his finger in her face.
I've lust been waiting TO hear you
say something about what YOU really
did ! let you beat around the bush
until YOU got tired. I've fiven you
every chance that any respecting
man could give woman, and you have
put me off with twists and turns in
your conversation. Gaining time, I
suppose, until you could be sure or
your story
My story exclaimed Betty. I've
been tying to tell il to you ever since
I came in. But you were so cross and
disagreoable and ungentlemanly in
your words and manner that 1 thought
I would wait until you she hesitated
and didn't say the bitter words which
We're on her lips-"until you were in
better frame Of .nind,'' she finished
"Oh, my frame Of mind is all right"
rctorted Wharton. Come, lets hear
about the park and the automobile"
But the story doesn't begin there"
said Betty.
NO, and that isu't the worst OF it,"
retOrted Wharton in loud tones: 1t
doesn't end there. either.
How did you guess that" asked
Betty.
The question was pat artlessIy enough.
Betty meant il. But Wharton under
stood il TO signify that his wife was
ridiculing him. The mere idea made
him furious.
You want TO hear the whole story.
just as it happened, don't your went
on Betty.
Wharton didn't answer. He was too
angry.
IF I told about the ride in the park
and the automobile / would have 10
begin in the middle OF everything. Let
me tell it in my own way" she pleaded
You'll do that anyway" retorted
Wharton.
well, isn't that the best plan? AS it
is. so much has happened in one day
that my brain is all in a whirl J am
dizzy. You may not notice II, but 7
can't think clearly. II you had gone
through all I have gone thrc~gh In this
short time you would fee the same
way
1T must have been a thrilling esca-
psde." sneered Wharton.
III was" answered Betty.
-l-
and began.
when you left home this morn
ing
oh, cut that out" broke in Wharton
Let's hear about what happened when
you left home this morning
That's what was going to tell you"
replied Betty.
Before you start of on that tack
again" cut In Wharton, land IN order
70 save you from any misunderstand-
ing. must inform you that there was
no question concerning my recognizing
you today in the park. I knew you at
once. I called your name. Of course.
you viii pretend that you were going
so fast you did not hear me. II you
had heard me. Of course, you would
have stopped and have returned 10 see
what had 10 say to you. As 1t was,
you concluded that Il would be the
safer and the wiser pan 10 wait untn
events developed themselves naturally.
You decided 10 get II the pleasure You
could out Of the afternoon and trust
10 luck that you could smooth matters
over with me later"
! did hear you call me, Will" said
Betty
oh. you own UP. do your
why not? There's nothing to con
ceaI."
oh. isn't there? Gesl You're nervy
one, all right. What l want 10 knoweis
this. how long have you been in the
habit Of taking these little excursions
without my kTowledRe? %
What do you mean7' asked Betty.
Il suppose you have been going out
every afternoon as socn as my back has
been turned. Lunches. automobile rides
i'm the park, and all the other stteu- .
tons"
VIII exclaimed Betty.
'Of course, you win deny everything. .
That's usually the wis,s II plan"
There IS nothing TO deny said
Betty You shall know about every .
moment / spent from the time left .
here this morning"
Never mind about that JUST vet.
What ] want to know is, how often
have you been riding IN the park, in an
automobile with a man who, by no
means could ever he mistaken for nv
self?''
only once, promptly answered Bet
~, and the chances are il Will never
happen again"
Delighted to receive such a comfort
ing assurance" responded Wharton
"Of course. he just picked you up. and
all THAR"
THAT was exactly the way il han
rcned" said Betty. 1T waz all an ac-
cldent- Such a fortunate accident
'FOrtUnate?'' exclaimed Wharton
Don't 90 10 far with me. Betty. I've
been pretty easy on you, but there is a
limit to my good nature"
''Will, If You will only let me tell nv
story everything will bc cleared mn
WheE YOU left this morning I kent
" orrying about the money
You didn't hunt Up the police asked
Wharton hastily, q sudden suspicion
crossing his mind.
NO. / didn't hunt them ND An
swered Betty. 1T wasn't necessar,-'''
What do you mean, woman? For