The Washington times., 1913-02-15
CHAPTER Iy.-(ContiuuedD

"HEG walked on, heels in uniSoI
pounding the wet fiagstones. Th'
night was sweet with the fresf
scent of wet grass and shrubbery
The sidewalks were boldly patterned
with a stencilins of black leaves and
q milky dapplinG of electric light.
At every corner high-swung arcs shot
vivid slants of silver-hue radiance
through the black and green of the
trees.
THESE things all printed themselves
indelibly upon the tablets OF his mem
Oily.
They arrived at the station. Whitaker
bought his wife a ticket to New York
and secured for her solitary use a
arawins-room in the sleeper.
When that was accomplished they
had still a good part of an hour to
wait
They found a bench on the station
platform and sat down. Whitaker pos
sessed himself of his wife's handbag
long enough to furnish il with a sum
of money and an old envelope bearing
the name and address Of his law part
= ner.
He explained that he would write 10
Drummond, who would see TO her well
fare in so far as she would permits
sue her an adequate monthly allow
ance, and advise her whenever she
should become her own mistress once
more-in a word. widow.
She thanked him briefly, quietly, with
a constraint he understood too well TO
resent.
People began to gather on the plat
form, to loiter about and pass up and
down Further conversation would have
been difficult, even If they had found
much to say to one another. Curiously
or not, they didn't.
They sat on in thoughtful silence.
Both perhaps were sensible of some
relief when at length the train thun-
dered in from the East, breathing
smoke and flame.
Whitaker helped his wife aboard and
interviewed the porter in her behalf.
Then they had a moment or two
alone in the drawinG-room, in which TO
their first and last parting.
''You1l get in about two" said Whita-
ker. Better just slip across the street
10 the Belmont tonight. Tomorrow-or
the day after-whenever you feel rest
ed-you can find yourself more quie,
quarters
Yes" she said.
He comprehended something of the
struggle she was having with herself.
and respected it
If he had consulted his own inclina-
tions. he would have turned and march,
cd off without another word. But foT
her sake he fingered.
Let her have the satisfaction Che
aade himself of knowing that she had
done her duty at their Ieave-taking.
She caught him suddenly By the
shoulders with both her hands. Her
eyes sought his with a courage he could
not but admire.
You know I'm grateful
Don't think of il that way-thoug h
I'm glad you are" he protested.
You're a good man." she said some
what brokenly.
He knew himself too we'll TO be able
to reply.
You mustn't worry about me now.
You've made things easy for me. can
take care of myself, and ] shan't forget
whose name ] bear
He nuttered something 10 the effect
that he was sure of that
She released his shoulders and stood
back searching his face with tormented
eyes. Abruptly she offered him her
hand.
"Good-by." she said. her lips culver
fnG. "Good-by-good friend
He caught her hand. wrung il clum-
silly and painfully. and realized that the
train was In motion. He had barely
time TO get away.
Hc found himself on the station Mat
form. stupidly watching tie rear lights
dwindle down the tracks. and wonder
ing whether or not hallucina tions were
phase of his mslady. 4 sick man
often dreams strange dreams
A voice behind hins cool with a trac
of irony. observed.
I'D give a good deal to know lust
what particular brand Of fooTfshness
you've been indulginC in this time