The Washington herald., 1912-01-14

I ,
break all these engagements?" and she
glanced over her dance card.
| Il asked you not to come here tonight
You willfuliy disregarded my-my-"
Your orders" she supplemented.
My reauest-and now you must take
the consequences,' he added. grimly.
Indeed. You see, you gave no reason
no explanation-and II naturally did
not occur to me that you could possibly
be In earnest"
''The fact that It was my wish should
be suficfent reason-' he declared. draw
ing himself up in angry pomposity.
"oh, nonsense, james,
"catheriner'
Now. do drop that tragic expressionl"
she begged. with a touch Of petulauce.
''why not stay yourself? There are a lot
OF pretty girls here who'd be simply
charmed 10 dance with the famous prose-
cutting attorney. No? I'll dance ten
numbers with you myself. and, God
knows" she added, with ferveney that
did not help his temper. that's penance
enough for having dared to disobey my
Ilord and masters injunction. Is that the
right legal term3 on, come. Jamesl Soften
q IittleI Come out Of your Ehell!''
You don't take me seriously, chr he
said, In a low voice that trembled with
suppressed anger. That's your latest
pose-you sfuss TO take anything seri-
ouslyl'
Il dare, not" she answered. gravsly.
Whether life Is a tragedy or a comedy
TO me depends on the way look at Il.
prefer comedy-thafs why ! chose TO
come here and revel In wifely disobe-
dience rather than sit at home, eontem-
plating my virtuous. submissive self in
lonely silence"
DO you wish me to understand that
a..
on. let me stay. james," And she
looked up into his flushed face. half
pleading. half moeking.
IT'S fmpossIhlei"
See. I'll cancel all these engage
nents-every one OF them-and dance |
through the whole list with you II you |
stay. Could any wife do more? Fur |
for the rest OF the week-as extra PEN |
snce. No? Adamant. eh Stern, strong. |
unbending, unyielding-fine qualities |
for statue, James. but not for hus-
band"
Darwin pressed his lips together and
controlled his anger by a strong effort. |
He had the power to hurt her-to make |
her change her tune-and he resolved to
use ii.
Catherine" he said. quietly and cold
ly, ''in the light Of recent events you
must not be seen here among these peo-
pie. It's not expedient"
There are more than a hundred peo-
pie here" she returned lightly. Which
one do you object to?''
An OF them in general: your host.
Wilbur Emerson, In particular
'He Is not my host"
This is his house." retorted her hus-
band. THE Emersons-the Cowpers-
and all the others associated in business
with him are here. ! know the whole list
i reads like bankers convention And
wish you TO leave at once"
She looked At him euriously, her reso-
luton UNCHANGED but slightly shaken.
There must be something more than
mere foolish tea!ously here.
1T viii seem so strange" she mur-
INJURED
Her husband made gesture of grim
4,
Catherine" he said. slowly. giving
,aeh word heavy emphasis. you force
ne to tell you the real state OF affairs.
Emerson's chain of banks is being in
7estigated- The Federal expert exam
ners have just taken possession, and IN
III probability the hand Of the Federal 7
will fall heavily. II means I
disgrace, surely-mOst likely imprison-
nent-for them. In my position as spe-
'ial appointee Of the United States Attor-
ley General, cannot allow my wife 10
criminals
Catherine gripped the edge Of the table
lard. The room was whirling around =,
Ter.
James she tried to cry, but the
'oice was only frightened whisper.
''oh. / hardly expected you TO sympa-
lie with my attitude" he went on bit
erly. I'VE seldom agree on anything.
tut l am making the investigation, and
am in a position to know who they are.
iowever," he glanced at his watch, that a.
J not the point I've just time TO leave
ou at the house"
Then you-are not-coming home-with
le?" she asked mechanically. Her mind Il
'as still numb from the shock.
Mo- was the short answer Il must a
o to Washington at midnight. In the n
I've an important conference
Knight, and one with the Attorney Gem
al early tomorrow. He's determined to !,
1force the law end has retained me to .
elp him. These people are TO be rooted 4,
observation-disclosures an example OF! "
course. need not tell you IL means
-eat political advancement for me II ~
lcceed in convicting them-perhaps the "
ttorney GeneraIship.'
He thought from her silence that he a
as at last convincing her. Convincing. .
t last she could think clearly as she
Iught at the phrase political advance a
Il
Lncement at the sacrifice Of her friends. ~
He wanted to root out" laughing gem :.
Gus, open-nanded Isabel!
He glorihcd in the determination Of ~
at sweet old man who had been a father a.
her-who had taken the place OF the ~ ~
ther she could not remember-who had a1
en this very mans benefactor!
He looked forward joyously to making ID
example Of Wilbur Emerson,
He thought eagerly Of mounting to the
lbinet on the blood and tears the shame ca
ID anguish and despair Of these-her
lends! ou
She looked at him as she might have he
oked at some Icsthsome. crawling thing ~
at had erept into the Emerson house n,
kill them as they slept.
oh. Godt.'. she -groRned. - Must you IN
ways rise-on the downfall OF others?" an
fore he could open his mouth to reply II
e need to stop him at once came over OF
? with rush. ~
James, these people are my friendsr' ar,
e cried, in strained. agonfzed voice an
our triends! They have helped us od
'ed u.s. Da
I have no friends. "5he replied, with =
} air Of n Brutus. Besides, whatever NJ.
Emerson did for me years ago. has cr,
IN dohble-discounted by his SON. ha
How 80 came In a whisper from Cath ,,,,
nes dry lips. He eyed her coldly ne
Let me see your engagement card! q
e handed il to hirn. He gave 1t quick ne,
Ince and then with a rigid forefinger -
bbed Il vtciously I'm dozen places. 80
There! w E. w. E. w e." -,
snar.ied Wilbur Emerson! I think -
IT'S the answer, Catheriner' "a,
Mr. Emerson Is not here tonight" I !