The Washington herald., 1912-01-14
CHAPTER vn
Making a stand.

\
Isabel Emerson had almost been In tear
when Catherine told her that her hus
band had come and had sent her mes
sage to get her wraps ane come hom'
with him.
You must go?''
MOT exactly" Catherine had ealml,
replied.'T must 30 as far az the smoking
room and see him. but I have no inten,
ticn Of going home until / have danced
my last dance. my dear. I am heartily
sick Of this nonsense. and here is where
mako ., stand" And she sailed out
| sha knew at the time that she married
Darwin that she did not truly love him,
She was hurt by Wilbur Emerson's treat.
ment and she thought that she could be
reasonSoly happy with the older man.
She had the most profound respect for
his high character. tho deepest adrnira-
tion for his courage and steadfast right
eousness IN the battle against corruption.
At least this was the way she felt on
her wedding day. But q woman seldom
knows a man until she has ''wintsred
and summered' him.
In the four years OF their married life
Catherine Darwin had come to know
her husband q great deal better than he
knew kimsef-and he did not gain credit
as she gained knowledge.
She saw that bis high character was
well-2cted pose that had so far de-
ceived gullible world-a world sick Of
fraud. immortality and corruption in high
places.
She saw that his noble battle against
the powers OF evil IN the republic was
carried on by the petty trickery and cheap
theatricals Of a thoroughly selfish and
self-seeking man. And her contempt for
him was greater than her respect had
ever been.
But the young woman had all Of the
nobility that her husband lacked. She
had sworn TO be his true and faithful
wife, and she would do 1t II It killed her
She had accepted without a whimper
much that was unpleasant in order to
avoid an open breach, because she knew
that public separation would be a terrible
blow TO his political prospects. She was
not ambitious for him. nor even for her
self, but she recognized II as her duty TO
the man she had married to do nothing
that might interfere with the career he
had chosen.
On the subject of her devotion to her
friends, the Emersons. had she very de-
iberately defied them. On this point she
was adamant. and he had, so far. wisely
refrained from opposing her after his
sharp rebuff the first time he told her
that he wished she would not be so much
at their house.
Il would not think Of objecting to any
OF your friends II they were respectable
but expect the same liberty myself"
she had told him, In q manner that. i'm
piled that she meant to have Il. too. So
even though he had asked her not to 20,
she was somewhat surprised that he
dared TO come for her and insist that she
return just as the ball was getting into
full swing. And when she entered the
room she was In much the same frame
OF mind as certain famous politician on
the eve Of the Saratoga conyention-R he
wanted a fight he could have II.
James," shs said, her voice as cold
and sweet as ice cream, ''old Mr. Emer-
son was so upset that he said good-by
to me Just now-and hadn't the slightest
intention Of leaving. What have you said
to him?'
Catherine" he replied brusqueIy, os-
closing the collar Of his
overcoat, Il want you 10 come home at
oncer
She lifted her eyebrows a trine and
sazed at him in mild surprise.
"Oh. surely you're not so serious" she |
exclaimed, with Just q maddenInE touch |
of raillery in the tone. Why. I've only /
Just arrived-and I'm enjoying myself |
thoroughly. I can't go for at least an |
hour. So II you don't mind waiting"
She paused and looked at him as II she