The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1911-07-21
CHAPTER XIX.
The HARRISON Man.


She talked for an hour, having got
between me and the door, and she
scolded Jim and Bella thoroughly.
But they did not hear it, being oc
cupied with each other, sitting side
by side meekly on the divan with Jim
holding BeIla's hand under cushion.
She said they would have to be very
good to make up for all the deception,
but it was perfectly clear that 1t was
a relief to her to find that | didn't
belong to her permanently, and az l
have said before, she was crazy about
Bella.
sat back in a chair and grew COM
fortably drowsy in the monotony OF
her voice 1t was a name that brought
me to myself with jerk.
"Mr. Harbison!" Aunt Selma was
saying. Then bring him down at
once, James want no more decep-
ton. There is no use cleaning
house and leaving a dirty corner"
'It will not be necessary for me to
stay and see 1t swept" l said, muster
ing the rags she had left of my self
respect, and trying to pass her. But
she planted herself squarely before
me-
"You can not stir up a dust like
this, young woman. and leave other
people to sneeze in it. she said grim
ly. And l stayed.
I sat-. very small, on chair in
corner. | felt like Jezebel, or what
ever her name was, and now the Har-
bison man was coming, and he was
going to see me stripped of my pre-
tensions to domesticity and of hus-
band who neglected me. He was go
ing to see me branded living lie,
and he would hate me because | had
put him in ridiculous position. He
was just the sort to resent being RI
diculous.
Jim brought him down in dress.
ing-gown and a state of bewilderment
It was plain that the memory of the
afternoon 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
heard Mr.. HARRISON stumble over
something in the darkness and say
that if it was joke, he wasn't In the
humor for It. To which Jim retorted
that it wasn't anything resembling
joke, and for heavens sake not to
walk on his feet: He couldn't get
around the furniture any faster
At the door of the den Mr.. Harb1
son stopped, blinking in the light.
Then, wnen he saw us. he tried to
back himself and his dishabille out
| into the obscurity of the library. But
Aunt Selma was to quick for him.
Come in,'' she called, 81 want you.
young man 1t seems that there are
only two fools in the house. and you
are one"
He Strengthened at that and looked
bewildered, but he tried to smile
Il thought | was the only one, he
said. rs it possible that there Is an
other?"
II am the other" she announced. }
think she expected him to say "lmpos'
sible," but, whatever he was. he was
never banal.
rs that so?" he asked politely. try
ing to be interested and to under.
stand at the same time He had not
seen me. He was gazing fixedly az
Bella, languishing on the divan ana
watching him with lowered lids. and
he had given Jim side glance OF con
tempt. BW now he saw me and ne
colored under his tan. His neck blush
! ed furiously, being much winter thaD
his face. He kept his eyes on mine
and | knew that he was mutely ASK
ing forgiveness. But the thought OF
what was coming paralyzed me. MY
ewes were glued to his as they had
been - at first evening when he had
called me Mrs. Wilson," and after
an instant he looked away, and his
face w|as set and hard
"It seems that we have all been
playing a little comedy, Mr.. Harof
SON." Aunt Selma began. nasally sar
castle. COR. rather. you and | have
been the audience. The rest nave
played"
II don't think l understand" be
said slowly. Il have seen very little
comedy"
ut was not well planned" Aunt Sc
lima retorted tartly. The idea was
good, but the young person who was
playing the part of Mrs. Wilson
overacted."
'Oh. come, Aunt Selma" Jim pro
tested, Kit was coaxed and cajoled
into this thing. Give me fits II you
like; l deserve all l get. But lei
Kit alone-she did it for me-"
Bella looked over at me and smiled
nastily.
81 would stop doing things for Jim
Kit" she said. 1T is so improbable.
But Mr. HARRISON harked back tt
Aunt Selina's speech.
CTO BE CONTINUEDD