Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1913-09-06
Saturday, Short StoEy

then he went down SLOWLY, steaoylHB
| himself by the banisters.
A young girl in furs turned toward
him as he entered; he caught a
glampse of blue eyes, a CLINT of bright
hair framed in fluffy fur; he heard
Courtlandt's cool, easy voice present
| ing MIN to his wife; he took the slim
gloved hand outstretehed, held
stupidity until It was withdrawn; then
Courtlandt's voice again, promising
to return.
I'm sorry I can't remain and dine
with you and Mrs. Edgerton on TINS
night before Christmas" added Court
landt, blandly, making for the door.
"Oh" she said, surprised, Il did
not understand that Mr.. Edgerton in
vited US"
The color stung Edgerton's face,
| and he said in a low voice: You are
at home, madam; it is for you to in
wife U.S. Perhaps Mr.. Courtlandt will
stay if you ask him; | will If you ask
me-"
She gave him a confused. brilliant
little smile, a delicate tint mounting
| to her cheeks.
"Thank YOU" she said; you
everybody is so delightful TO me. Will
you stay, Mr.. Courtlandt? I've beg
of youl No? Then, until Until we
have the pleasure-at nine. believes!
She turned to the dazed maid, who
opened the door which second later
closed upon the most profoundly ex-
cited attorney in Manhattan.
Mrs. Edgerton raised her blue eyes
to her husband as a maid relieved her
of her furs and little gilt-edged tri-
corne.
IL wonder if you are as embar-
raised as I ann" she said, laughing.
| ST saw Won out driving Yesterday"
he said.
"I saw you, too" she replied quick
ly. you rode a bay. I never mag
ined-' she bent her head. you ride
very WELL" she added. Then, after
moments silence: And you remem-
bered me?'
81 recognized you at once" he said,
1.-The instant you entered this room.
It was that which startled me-made
me appear stupid
you did not appear stupid
He asked her how long it was since
he had been in America.
"Oh, many years-I was only three
when my father went to France.
Then the warm color came into her
face and she clasped her hands I'M
pulsively. IT do not believe, she
said, that have conveyed to you In
letters my deep appreciation of your
|
to express i'll do not now"
What have you to thank me for?'
he asked almost brusquely.
She turned trifle, unprepared for
such a question. But she answered
very sweetly: You left me guarded
by the honor of your own name. !
have never wanted for anything 1
have had the quiet and seclusion de-
sired. What more Is there, Mr.. Ed
gerton?"
After a moment she said: "Mais-he
is absent a long while, Mr.. Court
landt.
He isn't coming until nine o'clock, :"
said Edgerton. He glanced across at
the clock It was half past seven.
$50, in the meanwhile, we are to
discuss matters of importance" she
suggested seriously. Mr.. Courtlandt
said so. What, monsieur, are we to
discuss?'
"Nothing, except your wishes. and
they admit of no discussion"
"You are at home now"
"But I-but I was staying at the
Holland"
I'VE are merely about to exchange
quarters" he said pleasantly, 81 shall
be most comfortable at the Holland. "
"Oh. you shall not!-no. it's all
wrong" she pleaded, the color fading
in her face. 81 cannot come into
your house-into your life
ut is your house." he said gently.
"Still, tiff you don't mind-there Is
a better way still of arranging mat
tiers. L have a whole floor on the
third story; and perhaps you might
not mind if 1 retain it."
"You are so generous-so kindly"
she said How can you endure to
have a perfectly silly girl march into
your house"
YOUR housed"
YOUR house. Garry it by assault.
capture the incest suite, and drive
YOU to the roof among the sparrows!
No, it is shameful. 1t is absurd"
81 never have occupied the rooms on
the second floor" he protested They
have been vacant since L took TINS
house,
For whom were they intended?
she asked, innocently.
He Redeemed. ~ bought the house
after our wedding" he hesitated;
then, afterwards, from your letters. l
fancied that you might prefer to re-
main abroad. So I said nothing.
She bent her head. IL thought 1t
fairer-to you, she said in low
voice. "I would have come had you
asked me. I-how was I to know.
Mr.. Edgerton.
you have no idea how pretty it is"
he urged.
as it so pretty?"
"Come up and look at 1t.
She sprang to her feet on the i'm
pulse. smiling confident of his kind
ness. And they mounted the stairs
together, arriving on the second floor
breathless.
oh" she cried softly, as she en-
tered, sit is perfectly charming!
'.Is this really mine?" she repeated;
how delicious She passed from room
to room, pausing before bits of furni-
ture that attracted her, touching and
lifting the silver on dresser and table.
my own initials" she said under her
breath. "And what is this?" laying
her white fingers on a jewel case.
Am I to open it? Really! oh, the
beauty of 1t ALL II am perfectly
| overwhelmed, mons-Mr. Edgerton"
And she sat down on the edge of the
bed, pressing her hands to her eyes.
The silvery chimes of a clock sound
ed. stirring eight times.
"ImpossibIe!' exclaimed Edgerton
Then with a laugh almost boyish ne
said: Were supposed to dine at
| eight"
She looked vacantly at her husband.
Dinner already! Can 1t be possible
time has flown like that? And l.
| have time to dress?'
thine is yours to dispose Of he
said, smiling back into her eyes; "all
here are yours to dispose of as you
see fit"
Even you, monsieur" She laughed
in her excitement and happiness, not
weighing words and their meaning
until their echo returned again to APP