The Washington herald., 1914-07-19

with that inde6nable condescension
hotel clerk always shows toward those
who are much concerned about the price
of rooms.
what floor will that be-"
He glanced at chart hanging by the
desk. "You can have those rooms on
the third, fourth, or sixth floor"
81 think I'd prefer the sixth. If they
are inside rooms they viii be lighter
higher up. Will you send boy to move
the baggage? / would like to make the
change now"
They were court rooms, small, dark,
and scantily furnished. The washstand
with its bowl and pitcher loudly pro-
claimed the absence of bath. Once
more Katherine arranged her toilet
things on a dresser, and hung up few
dresses in the shallow closet. Then she
went down to the restaurant for lunch
con, choosing carefully a moderate
priced entree and salad.
Later in the afternoon she forced her
self to take a car to one of the large
shops. Before they had left home her
husband had given her generous check
to buy. while they were in New York.
her winter things" But she had no
heart for it today. so she made only a
few small purchases and returned to the
hotel. 1t was only four o'clock, but the
court rooms were already dark She
turned >on the lights and wandered aim
lessIy about Why had she come back
so soon? How could she spend the time
until FIVE o'clock? He would not be back
until then.
She took from one of the bags some
magazines she had bought on the train,
but she could not read. In her heart she
knew that she was trsngely uncomfor-
table and worried about the rooms
What would he say-what would his at
titude be? Only a few times since they
married had he been seriously angry
with her, but those few times she had
never forgotten.
1t was about half-past FIVE when he
came. AS soon as he entered the room
she knew that he was angry-more
angry than he had ever been before.
Why have you done this. Kathe-
rine:" He said it very quietly, but it
was quietness before which Katherine
shrank more fearfully than she would
have from any violent outburst.
Because l could not be happy in
rooms that cost eight dollars or more a
day"
Very we'll, then, you may remain
here. l have re-engaged those rooms
for myself. This thing has become in
tolerable. Katherine. 1t has been in
tolerable for months. From now on l
will divide with you equally my income,
and we will each spend or save as we
see ft. l will send boy for my suit
case. I shall dress and be waiting for
you downstairs in the reception room
by six, in case you care to dine with me
this evening. And if you show dissp-
proval Of any expenditure l make, for
the remainder OF our trip here We will
dine apart"
81 think we will do that tonight"
."As you wish" And he left the room
She stood motionless, her hands
clasped at her throat. He would come
| back-he would not leave her like that
Oh, why had she said what she did
Breathlessly she waited for his foot.
steps along the hall. But there was nc
sound. she threw herself on the bed
in passion Of sobs. Oh, why had she
done this-why had she-why had she.
In a few moments there was knock
at the door. She started up with a
throbbing hope. But it was only bell
boy for the suitcase.
When the boy had gone she saw her
husbands brushes on the dresser; but
she felt he would not send back for
them, that he would prefer any incon-
venience rather than send to her again
that night.
Again she threw herself on the bed,
and gave herself up to bitter, heart-sick
broodings. One moment she would be
filled with remorse, with a stricken
realization that she was to blame. the
next with a fierce indignation against
him-against his harshness, his needless
cruelty.
1t grew long past the dinner hour, but
the mere thought OF food was repelling.
Where had he dined? Had he been able
to eat? Perhaps he had even gone to
the theater. Or was he in his room
now. as unhappy as she; If she only
knc5p-if there was only some way she
could find out.
4 sleepless. wretched night lay be-
fore her. And this was the trip she had
looked forward to with so much pleas
ure-the trip they had been planning for
weeks.
Restlessly she wandered about the
rooms, gazing out of one window and
.