The Washington times., 1913-03-21

indeed; the day was THURSDAY, tne l1ti
of October.
Max had planned his game and played
his cards cunningly, Withholding his an
nouacement until the last moment IN
order to prevent her husband from
seeking out Sara Law and Influencing
her to reconsider,a well as in order
to escape any possibility OF collusion
between himself and a man who might
very pardonably lose his head under
the sting of the wrong Max had done
HIM.
So much was very clear to the intelli-
gence, OF him, whose eyes had wit 20
read between the lines Of trite press
agent phraseology.
After a pause, Whitaker rose and be-
gan to walk to and fro the length Of
the room, hands in his pockets, head
bcw ed in thought. He was telling him
self that he was not greatly surprised.
after all; he was wondering at his
GOODNESS, and he was coming over.
with a grim. sardonic kink in his
twisted smile, the needless precautions
taken by the dapper little manager in
his fear OF Whitaker's righteous wrath.
For Whitaker had no intention of in
terfering in any way. He conceived 1t
been more kindly given him, but
He had receied it, and he was not
lacking in the wit to recognize it as
absolute and without appeal;
The thing was finished. The play
was over. so far as he had a part there
in. He had, no doubt, played his part
poorly; but at least his exit would not
lack a certain quality of dignity. Whit
aker promised himself that.
He thought 1t really astonishing, his
coolness. He analyzed his psychological
processes with growing wonder and
with as much. If less definite resent
ment He would not have thought it
credible of himself
Search as he would, he could discov-
er no ranking Indignation, no smolder-
ing rage threatening TO fame on the
least breath of provocation, not even
what he might have most confidently
looked forward to-the sickening writ
ings of self-love mortally wounded and
important TO nvenge itself; nothing but
some self-contempt that he had allowed
himself to be so carried away by in
fatuation for an ignoble woman and
cynic humor that made it possible for
him to derive a certain satisfaction from
contemplating the completeness OF this
final revelation she made of herself.
However he had more important
things to claim his attention than the
spectacle of a degraded soul making
public show of its dishonor.
He halted by the window to look out
Over the withered tree tops of Bryant
Square. set against the rich turquoise Of
that late autumnal sky, gigantic
boarding blazed the news of perfdy TO
an unperceptive world that hustled on,
needless Of Jules Max, ignorant-largely
of the existence of Hugh Whitaker.
unconcerned with Sara Law save as
she employed herself for its amusement
After all the truth was secret and
likely to stay SO, tealously husbanded IN
four bosoms at the most Max "ouIo
guard il as he would a system for win
ming at roulette: Mary Whitaker might
well be trusted never to declare her-
self Ember was as secret as the grave
Returning to the breakfast table, ne
took up the paper. turned 10 @ tne SnH, snIP,
the list of scheduled sailings; nothing
for Friday; his pick Of half dozen
boats listed TO sail Saturday
The telephone enabled him to make
a hasty reservation on the biggest
and fastest of the lot.
He had Just concluded that business,
and was waiting with his hand on TIE
receiver to call up Ember an oar
nounce his departure, when the door
bell rang. Expecting the waiter TO
remove the breakfast things, he went
10 the door. threw H. open and turned
hack instantly to the telephone. AS
his hand fell upon the receiver sec
ond time he heard the door shut,
turned and saw his wife:
His hand fell TO his side. Otherwlse
he did not move. But his glance vas
that Of one incuriously comprehendinS
the existence of a stranger.
The woman met II fairly and fear
lessly. with her head high and her
owy, illegible smile. She was dressed
-or walking. very prettilv and p"r-
fectlv. There were roses IN her
checks a healthful glow Distinguish
able even in the tempered light or the
hallway. Her self-possesslon was
After moment she inclined her
head slightly. The hallboy said YOU
were busy on the telephone. ! INSIST
ed on coming directly up, ! wish very
much to see YOU for Few momentS.
Do YOU mind the intrusion?"
"Bv no means" he said a little stiff-
ly. but quite calmly. "If you Will
come in
He stood against the wall - let her
pass For breath she was too close
family TO the delicate and indefinite
perfume of her person. But il was
over in an instant: she had passed
into the living-room. He followed.
tall. grave. collected. aloof.
IT had to come this morning. she ex-
plained. turning. This afternoon we
have a dress rehearsal
He bowed an acknowledgment.
won't you sit down.
Thank you" Seated. she subjected
him to a quick. omen appraisal. disarm-
ing in its naive honesty.
Hugh. aren't you bit thinner
Il believe So" He had match for
that impertinence. But you. I fancy.
have come without a blemish.'
II am very we'll" she admitted. un-
pcrturbed Her glance embraced the
room. You're very comfortable here
81 have been.
Il hone that doesn't mean I'm in the
way?"
To the contrary: bit sail day afte-
tomorrow for Australia"
oh, That's very sudden. isn't it?
Yoi, don't seem to have done anything
toward packing. Or. ne-hsps. YOU mean
to come back before a great while"
Il sha'n't come hack ever
Dare I infer you came 10 your de-
decision this morning?
II have only Just read the announce
msnt Of your opening tomorrow night"