Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-12-11
FOR DECEMBER IL. 1910

supply the OF She heard Rene
now in tone of sullen assurance.
What has Mrs CARROTS money to do with me?'
This much, De Land. You're poor man, almost
as poor as am. have natural interest in my wifes
future welfare. If she chooses to leave for yo she
must get with what you offer her. Look at the
matter squarely. You want my wife to divorce and
60 with you to Paris. Whether she has decided go
not does not matter. The thing is have you enough
for both?
De Land had risen and leaned unsteadily the back
of chair; but in his voice was ring of defiance as he
reganed something of his old manner That" he said
lis between Mrs. Garriott and myself
THEY were both aware that Mrs. Garrott had also
risen and was leaning forward, one hand on the
table, the other at her breast though the effort of
speaking cost her pain. Her voice seemed come from
distance and her face ash color.
Stop! she stammered Listen to me, both of you!
will not be bartered for though chattel, a
horse or a dog Mr.. De Land is mistaken. There is
anything, I have paid tonight. 1 have paid' She
sank weakly in chair and glanced appealngly her
husband but he had walked down the hall and had
opened wide the door into 56thst. In that moment
Rene had taken step to the side of the GIRL who was
leaning forward the table, her face hidden in her arms
Natalie, Natalie' he whispered in last appeal
mady that L"
Won't you go?" she said without raising her head
You want to leave you," he went on, 80 that
you 60 back to him! 1t seems that it is only the
man whose kisses successful"
Il will not listen!" she sobbed again. Go, go!"
He Strengthened and with foreign gesture turned
away. Garr1ott appeared in the doorway and made
single gesture of dismissal Rene realized that he
now playing losing game and that delayed departure
would only add to his discontinue But he also knew
the Importance of graceful exit. He turned and
looked at Natalie; but her face still hidden, he
shrugged his shoulders expressively took up his hat and
stick, and turned toward the door where Garott
lenty waited. He stopped before Brooke, and their
looks met.
You're an inventor, Mr.. Garriott9" he inquired
Brooke made MO reply, and only stared at him SOM
berry,
Then perhaps you will do yourself as well as me the
favor to invent tale that will satisfy Mrs. Gariott
to the innocence of kisses.
you" Garrott raised fist to strike; but De
Land kept his hands down and stared jauntiy. With
effort of will Garrott relaxed his muscles and thrust
his hands deep into his pockets letting De Land pass
slowly out.
Goodnight pleasant dreams! said his voice And
as Garriott watched him depart he not after
all that De Land did not have the better of the situation
FOR moment Brooke stood leaning against the door,
his eyes on the figure of the woman at the table.
Pride honor, friendship, love- fortune even, everything
she valued in life, it seemed had been swept from her
moment by the ruthless tide of disaster. She
sobbng aloud now, piteously like child 1t was her
childshness that more than ANYTHING appealed to him
in that moment. He could not seem to re member the
Natalie of other, earlier days. Now she just girl
his girl-in trouble The simplicity of the idea and
of the remedy amazing; but he did not 60 her
not at He waited until the sound of Renes foot
steps longer heard. Then with a sharp sigh of
relief he went out and locked the door into the street.
At the sound of her husbands retreating footsteps
Natalie stopped sobbing long enough to look up and
follow him with inquiring eyes, but when he came back
she in the position in which he had left her.
She made sound, and but for the convusive move
of her shoulders he might have thought that she
slept To her husband tears less omnous than her
silence, which meant self control and repression
He to her and gently spoke her name But
she would not move raise her head
mo, mol! she murmured. You must 60 away!
Don't mel"
What was the sound she heard in his throat? It was
nhuman He had stopped to pick up the fallen chair
and she stole quick glance at him. He was laughing