The Washington herald., 1914-08-09

had led the way up another fight o
stairs and opened door at the back o
the hall
I'VE have dinner at = now, George
You will be ready then? You know
father wants everyone to be prompt"
Eyes, We viii be ready, mother"
When they were alone in the room
Winifred walked over to the mirror anc
began to unfasten her veil carefully
ayerting her eyes that she might no
meet her husbands.
There was long silence.
"l1l unstrap the bags now, Winifred
so you can get out your things
very well"
When she unpacked the satchels and
put out hef toilet things, she found the
bureau was covered with dust. But
she made no comment And when a
moment later she Went to the wash
stand she found an empty pitcher and
no towels. -
He had followed her with his eyes
"Oh, l say, Winifred, that's too badl ]
guess mother has been so busy she for
got, and the maids here are so careless.
Wait, l will get you some towels"
1t was just 7 when she finished dress
ing and they started downstairs. Her
hands were like ice, and every nerve
was strained.
The family were all in the library.
His father greeted her formally. In
stantly she felt the antagonism that
sprang up between them, the same sense
of hostility that she had felt at the wed
ding. Then she was introduced to Ruth,
his youngest sister, who was home from
boarding-school; 10 his elder brother
Richard, who. unmarried, lived at home
and was in the law firm with his faith
er; and TO Carrie, the married sister,
and her two children.
The conversation at once revolved it:
self about Carrie and the children. 1t
was as thought they were the only
guests at the table. And throughout
the dinner it was Carrie who was served
hrst-Carrie, who lived only few miles
away and was with them half the time
After dinner they al went back to
the library. Mr.. Martin at once settled
himself in the great easy chair by the
reading-table.
Carrie, have that chair" nodding to-
ward another large chair across the
table
Come over here, Winifred." George
led her 4 couch in far corner of
the roomS
Her cheeks burned. In all her life she
had never been so hagrantly sighted
and ignored. And to endure this for a
week! As soon as they were in their
room alone she would tell George she
could not bear it-that he must take her
home
Mr. Martin. was still talking to Carrie,
and Mrs. Martin was sitting near her
husband, her hands folded, listening to
him with what Winifred felt was her
accustomed air of admiring attention.
Then Mr.. Martin proposed that they
go to the. parlor and have Carrie play
for them. Carrie played a number of
rather difficult selections with mechan-
ical accuracy and no expression. Then
Mr.. Martin insisted that Ruth should
favor them"
Winifred, who they knew was a fin
ished musician, was not asked to play
at all. That George felt this slight
keenly, she knew. He was proud of her
music and had counted on it to help her
win favor with his family. The hot re-
sentiment in her heart burned stronger,
but outwardly she showed no sign of
being conscious of this additional slight.
"Oh, George, look-lookl"
1t was tiny, black kitten. She picked
it up.
you dear little thing"
George smiled at her tenderly while
he pulled the kittens ear. You're very
fond of kittens, aren't you, Winifred?"
"Oh, love them. They are so s4t
and warm and cuddlesome. When
was little girl I used to have to drop
my kittens and run away for fear I
would hug them to death"
Mother, how did that cat get in
nere?" Mr.. Martin demanded sharply.
II don't know" murmured Mrs.
Martin in her nervous, apologize voice.
Same OF the servants must have let it
in without knowing tit slips in some
times so quickly"
We'll, it can't stay here. George, put
it out. Take it out the front door-the
others are locked"
Yes, father, in few moments. Wini-
fred is playing with it now"
That cat must be put out at once.
You know we don't allow them in this
house"
lnstinctively Winifred held the kitten
closer. Her eyes sought her husbands
IN mute appeal. In this at least she
would not be subjected to the insolent
tyranny of his father.