Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-11-27


She wondered why she was so supine, dumbly
content to sit and stare into the fire, when
every atom of her should be up in rebellion.
1t was Natures safety device, a nice adj
iustment of mind and body, which saved the
weaker at the expense of the strong. But
she knew that she must be suffering agOnleS
of mortified pride and the bitterness of
fallen idols. She tried not to believe; but
the facts were stubborn. She put her head
in her hands and pressed her fingers against
her temples. What should she do? What
should a woman do when all her gods are
tumbled into the dust?
She remembered clearly now the first inn
preston that had been formed in her mind
when she had been first apprised of her hus-
bands relations with Abby after the scene
in the pavilion at the Gerry Schuylers'
dance. The ardor of his kisses and Abby's
breathleSs acquiescence had filled her with
shame for herself and for the woman who
had profited by her husband weakness and
his relations with herself. And yet she had
at some pains condoned their transgresslon
as the harmless frolc of a gala night. Abby's
letter had thrown her off her guard too, and
since then she had tried to think that most
of his fault had its origin in her own imperi-
Gus pride. She remembered now what Rene
had said of those kisses and the reasons he
had given for Abby's refusal to accept her
invitation to come with them for the cruise.
Abby had stayed within reaching distance
of New York so that she could be near Brooke
Garriott. She saw it all now. THE leather
apron of Vulcan!" What was that senti-
mental nonsense? "a culver for Cupid"
This affair had been going on while she had
been cruising on the coast, perhaps longer!
Their understanding was so complete that it
seemed now as though Abby had possessed
-, Dot h,I
deed sunk low to come beneath her very
roof in her absence! What sinpleton she
had been. what credulOuS fool!
She got to her feet and strobe back and
FORTH her blood surging holly in angry
shame. She did not hear the sound of an
arriving motor in the drive nor Leontine's
first knock upon her door. But when the
maid knocked again she composed her fea-
lures and turned calmly.
Come in, she said.
Leontine carefully closed the door behind
her 1T is Mrs. Kempton, Madame. Are
you at homer"
INATALIE turned to her toilet table to
y hide the sudden scorn that fitted her
features. What could Abby want here?
Was her visit one of anxiety, or merely the
bravado of the guilty? Natalie's first inn
pulse had been to deny herself to her visitor;
but after a moments hesitation she said
quietly, Tell her l will be down in a mo-
ment.'
With great deliberation Natalie went to
her dressing table and looked at herself in
| the glass. 1t was a blessing she had not
wept If she had wept, she could not have
gone down. She sprayed handkerchief
with an atonnizer and brushed it a few times
across her face, then pinched her pale cheeks
until the color came, and when she left the
room she was smiling.
Abby was sitting near the window rather
formally in a straight backed chair; but she
rose when Natalie entered, and the two met
in the middle of the rug with one of those
feminine outbursts that have so impaired
the value of adiectives, which mean nothing
or much; usually much-but not what the
adlectives mean. Each had something to
learn, something to conceal. Natalie's kiss
hid scorn, Abbys uncharity; but Abby's
was the more honest.
ABBY, darling, SO glad! How did you
know | was home?"
Zone of the Schuyler maids got it from
your chauffeur. | came over at once. How
perfectly sweet you look! Did you have a
good cruise?'
Splendid! | haven't forgiven you for
not coming though What a smart hat!