, 1910-08-25
Hoo 1 S1''S 571iS55 "a 4 ~,
1hIpD DEGREE
%Cf1ARLIS KLEIN
ARTHUR HORNBLOW. Y
ILLUSTRATIONS BY RAY WALTERS

en1vpxxr 1000 ~ G W Dn LikEHAn corpaHv
door Tor MIN, and smiled a farewell.
When she returned to her seat at the
head of the table. and began to pour
out the coffee. Howard said:
Hes a pretty decent fellow, isn't
he?"
YES" she replied, absent-mindedly,
rs she passed a cup of coffee.
HE made a monkey of Capt. Gin
ton all right" went on Howard. What
did he come for?"
ITO see you-of course she re.
piled.
"Oh, I'm all right now" he replied
Looking anxiously at his wife across
the table, he said: You're the one
that needs tuning up. heard you
crying last night. You thought | was
asleep. but I wasn't. didn't say any.
thing because-well-I felt kind of
blue myself"
Annie sighed and leaned her head
on her hand. YEARLY she said:
81 was thinking over all that we've
been through together, and what
they're saying about us"
Howard threw down his newspaper
impatiently.
Let them say what they like. Why
should we care as long as we're
happy"
His wife smiled sadly.
Are we happy?" she asked, gently.
"Of course we are" replied How
ard.
She looked up and smiled. 1t was
good to hear him say SO. but did he
mean 1t? Was she doing right to
stand in the way of his career? Would
he not be happier If she left him? He
was too loyal to suggest 1t, but per
haps in his heart he desired it. Look
ing at him tenderly. she went on:
81 don't question your affection for
me, Howard. l believe you love me.
but I'm afraid that, sooner or later.
you'll ask yourself the question all
your friends are asking now, the ques-
ton everybody seems to be asking"
What question:" demanded How
ard.
Yesterday the bell rang and a gen
tieman said he wanted to see you. T
told him you were out, and he said
ia do Just as we'll. He handed me a
card. On 1t was the name of the news
paper he represented" ,
"Well?"
He asked me If it were true THAT
proceedings for a divorce were about
to be instituted. If so, when? And
could l give him any information on
the subject? l asked him who wanted
the information and he said the read
ers Of his paper-the people, believe
he said over a million Of them. Just
think, Howard! Over a million peo-
pie, not counting your father, your
friends and relations. all waiting to
know why you don't get rid of me.
why you don't believe me to be as bad
as they think l am"
Howard raised his hand for her
to desist.
"Annie-please!" he pleaded.
That's the fact, isn't it," she
laughed.
mo"
His wife's head dropped on the table.
She was crying now
I've made a hard fight, Howard"
she sobbed. but I'm going to give up.
I'm through-I'm through"
Howard took hold of her hand and
carried 1t to his lips.
annie. old GIRL" he said, with some
feeling, 81 may be weak. I may b.
earth car tell me that you're not the
squarest. st%raightest little woman that
ever lived! don't care a damn what
one million or eight million think.
Surprising you had received letters
from Underwood, %supposing you had
gone to his rooms to beg him not to
kill himself-what of 1t? 1t would be
for a good motive, wouldn't 1t? Let
them talk all the bad Of you they want.
don't believe a word of it-you know
l don't"
She looked up and smiled through
her tears.
You're 30 good. dear" she ex.
claimed. Yes, l know you believe in
me-" She stopped and continued. sad
ly: But you're only a boy, you know.
What of the future, the years to
Gomez" HowaSd's face became Sc
rious, and she went on: You see
you've thought about it. too, and you're
trying to hide 1t from me-. But yo'l
can't. Your father wants you to &C
abroad with the family"
"Well?"
He waited and looked at her curl
ously as II wondering what her an
swer would be. He waited some time
and then slowly she said:
81 think-you had better go!"
You don't mean that" he ex'
claimed, In genuine surprise.
She shook her head a~firmatively.
yes. l do" she said; your father
wants you to tax your position In
the world, the position you are entitled
to, the position your association with
me prevents Won from taking