The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-06-29
CHAPTER XIX.
The Barbison Man.

The daEBfBO0 MAN.
She talked for an hour, having got
between me and the door, and she seolded
jim and Bella thoroughly. But they did
not hear It. being occupied with each
other. sitting side by side meekly on the
divan with Jim holding Bella's hand
under a cushion. She said they would
have to be very good to maize up for
all the deception. but it was perfectly
clear that it was a relief 10 her 20 find
that I didn't belong to her permanently,
and as have said before she was
crazy about Bella
sat back in chair and grew COM
/ fortably drowsy in the monotony Of her
voice It was name that brought me
/ 20 myself with a jerk.
'Afr. Harbisoni" Aunt Selma was say
| ing Then bring him down at once,
James. I want no more deception. There
/ Is 10 use cleaning a house and leaving
a dirty corner"
/ ct will not be necessary for me 10
! stay and see Il swept" I said mastering
! the rags she had left Of my self-repect
/ and trying to pass her. But she planted
1 herself squarely before me.
you can not stir up a dust Ike this,
/ young woman. and leave other people TO
sneeze in it." she said grinly. And I
stayed
i I sat. very small. on a chair IN a cor
ner I felt like Jezebel, or what ever her
name was. and now the HARRISON man
was coming. and he was going TO see me
/ stripped OF my pretensions 10 domes-
ITCHY and Of a husband who neglected
me. He was going to see me branded a
living lie. and he would hate me because
] had put him in a ridiculous position.
He was Just the sort TO resent being
ridiculous.
Jim brought him down in a dressing
gown and a state OF bewilderment. II
/ was plain that the memory OF the after
noon still ranked. for he was very short
| with Jim and inclined to resent the
| whole thing The clock In the hall
! chimed half after three as they came
down the stairs, and I heard Mr.. Har-
/ bison stumble over something in the
darkness and say that If 1t was a joke,
he wasn't IN the humor for Il. To which
Jim Tetorted that II wasn't anything re-
sembling a Joke. and for Heavens sake
not to walk on his feet; be couldn't get
around the furniture any faster.
At the door Of the den Mr.. HARRISON
stopped, blinking in the light. Then,
when he saw US, he tried 20 back HIM
security OF the library But Aunt Selma
was too quick for him.
Come in" she called. IT want you,
young man, It seems that there are
only two fools IN the house, and you are
one"
He Strengthened at that and looked be-
wildered. but he tried 10 smile.
Il thought I was the only one" he
said
rs It possible that there is another?"
Il am the other" she announced.
Impossible but whatever he was. HI
was never banaI.
rs that so?'' he asked politely, tryins
10 be interested and to understand al
the same time. lie had not seen me. He
was gazing fixedly at Bella, languishine
on the divan and watching him with
lowered lids, and he had given Jim g
side glance Of contempt. But now he
saw me and he colored under his tan
His neck blushed furiously being much
whittier than his face. He kept HIS eyes
on mine. and I knew that he was muteiy
asking forgiveness. But the thought Of
what was coming paralyzed me. Ny
eyes were glued TO his as they had beer
that first evening when he had called
he looked away, and his face was SCI
and hard.
1T seems that we have all been play
ing a little comedy. Mr.. HARRISON, >
Aunt Selma began, nasally sarcastic
"Or rather. you and I have been The
audience The rest have played"
IL don't think I understand" ht
said slowly. I have seen very little
comedy
"It was not well planned" Aunt selIns
retorted tartly. The idea was good
|
the part of Mrs Wilson-over-acted
ooh, come, Aunt Selma" Jim pro
tested. Kit was coaxed and cajoled into
this thing. Give me fits IL you like;
deserve all I get. But let Kit alone
she did II for me-"
Bella looked over at me and smiled
hastily.
IT would stop doing things for jim
Kit" she said. TT is so unprofitable."
But Mr.. HARRISON harked back to Aunt
Selina's speech.
Playing the part OF Mrs wilson, HI
repeated. do you mean-?'
Exactly. Playing the part. She Il
not Mrs. Wilson. IT seems that tina
honor belonged at one time to Mis-!
Knowles. ] believe such things are no
unknown In New York, only why in tn
name OF sense does a man want TO di
vorce a woman and then meet her a
two o'clock In the morning to kiss th'
place where HIS own wedding-ring use,
to rest?"
Jim fidgeted. Bella was having spasm
of mirth 10 herself, but the Harrison
man did not smile. He stood for a mo
ment looking at the fire; then he thrus
hts hands deep into the pockets OF hi
dressing-gown. and stalked over TO me
He did not care that the others weri
watching and listening.
us it true7" he demanded, staring
down at me. you are not Mrs. Wilson
You are not married at all7 All tina
about being neglected-and loathing him
and all that on the roof-there was NJ
foundation Of truth?'
I could only shake my head withou