The Washington herald., 1912-01-14


It was IsabeF's birthday. and there wa.
ball in her honor at the Emerson hons
that night. The Darwins had celebrated
the event with something nearer to 9
quarrel than they had ever done before
Indeed, had Catherine wanted to dignity
her husband to that extent, there would
have been very lively domestic battle
Her husband had forbidden her that
morning to go to the ball. She had Do
litely answered that she would do as
she pleased about that. and as Isabel
Emerson was her oldest and dearest
friend, she would more than likely be
pleased to so. Darwin had insisted that
she promise that she would not go, and
had been sweetly ignored for his pains.
He could not possibly be at home to
enforce his commands. and II is doubtful
II he would have dared had he been
there. He would be very busy all after
noon. He must see Covper at his home
about 10 o'clock and rush to the ferry
and catch the midnight express for
Washington.
He had Cowper's written confession.
which would have been enough for a less
careful and painstaking prosecutor. but
there was something else that Darwin
demanded of the traitor as the price OF
his freedom. This Cowper was to deliver
before 10 o'clock that night.
The prospect OF safe and sure annihIIa-
ton Of the house OF Emerson at his
hands, instead OF softening his hatred,
filled Darwin with a fierce Joy. He told
himself that he was grateful to the old
man for what he had done for him years
afo. and when his conscience-enfeebled
by the sitting ambition and ego-weakly
reminded him OF his debt to his bene-
factor, he told himself that all OF that
had been paid dozen times over when
Wilbur robbed him OF the love of his
wife.
He refused TO let himself believe what
he knew to be the truth-that he had
robbed himself OF the love Of his wife,
that Wilbur Emerson had not seen her
alone fifteen minutes altogether in four
years, and that the young man would
not have laid a disrespectful finger on
her II he had.
He shut his ears to every voice but
that of ambition, and lashed himself with
until he was worked into a cold.
merciless rage.
Darwin was In this frame Of mind when
he called up his home that evening early
and found that Mrs. Darwin had been
at the Emerson home for some hours.
She had coolly left word that II he called
up he was to come over there for her.
He had to summon all Of his tremendous
will power TO control his fury when he
presented himself at the door OF the
brilliantly lighted house and asked to be
shown 10 the smoking roSn.
And please give Mrs. Darwin my mes
sage at once!" he told the servant who
escorted him. The servant bowed and
hurried out. Darwin marched impatient
ly around the room TO the obvious annoy
ance OF another servant who was arranE-
ing a card table.
Tooker and young Gordon Roberts, the
manager of the Fifth avenue branch Of
he parent bank, entered. laughing heart
ly. The sound OF dance music hoated in
with them, and Darwin glanced at them
md frowned. Tooker knew him slightly.
md disliked him cordially. and he and
Darwin exchanged distant bows.
We'll, what's II going to be, Mr.. |
rooker?'' asked Roberts, with a smile, as
he fronted up to the buffet.
HIN! Let's see what you've got there"
aid Tooker smiling IN anticipation. |
Guess a little brandy-a pony"
Roberts poured Il out. chuckiing and |
ihaking his head.
Better not play the ponies"
Ponies are all right il they come fast /
nough," retorted Tooker, and the man /
aughed again, and then Strolled out.
Darwin glared at them with malevo-
ence- These frivolous dancers and card
layers and booze fighters! He held them /
n his hand-and what a Joy II would be
o crush them-to wipe them out!
Thomas. who had carried the message
o Mrs Darwin. re-entered.
Mrs. Darwin will be here in Just
moment. sir"
rs she getting her things on?" de-
handed the husband, abruptly.
Il think not; she said at the end OF
bis dance, SIR"
with whom Is she dancing?"