The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-03-29

love. God bless herr"
With something approaching an at.
tempt at happiness. Philip ran across
the room and flung open the door.
"Enid-Enid. old dear, where are
you?" he called. But out of the silent
house nothing answered him. The
servants quarters were some dis.
lance away. shut of by sound.
proof door.
Philip looked into the other rooms;
both dining-room and morning-room
were empty. On the threshold of the
drawing-room he stood still. a clock
on the mantel shelf was Ginning four,
but there was no sign Of the custom.
army tea-tray, no silver kettle hiss
ing gally over n blue spirit-lamp
flame. no Enid cuddled in the cor.
ner of the big Chesterfield couch.
Philips good idea received bump.
He left the room and bounded up
tho stairs. Outside his wife's door
he paused; then he knocked very
quietly. and said, Enid" in n ten.
der voice. But he got no answer,
and, turning the handle, no entered
at stride.
The wardrobe stood open wide, and
he stared into It's empty recess.
Drawers had been torn open and
their contents tumbled ruthlessly, or
removed Wholesale. The dressing
table was denud2d OF the silver
brushes and mirror. and Of all the
little vanity pots and powder jars
dear to the girls heart, none re-
NAMED. Across the rail of the bed
hung the blue morning gown, like a
little pale ghost OF memory.
Philip stared about him for brief
second. There was no need to search
further, his answer was there
He sat down on the edge OF the
bed and took hold OF tho little gown.
The fragrance of the girl still hung
about it and seemed to mock him.
For long time he sat there staring
into nothing.
Then slowly he got up and crcpt
downstairs and out of the house.
Enid, what is the matter? You
have been here with me for nearly
two days, and YOU have been behav-
ing like woman who isn't sure OF
herself, brilliantly cheerful one min
ute and morosely dull the next. /
might ask you 10 confde in me, but
] suppose you would do that II YOU
wished to-"
Enid turned dejectedly from the
window of her friends apartment,
which overlooked the broad, traffic.
laden width Of knightsbridge, and
tried to smile.
Il will tell YOU one day, Maud, but
ut present l want you TO accept me
as ] am, as I asked you to do when
] thrust myself so unceremoniously
upon your hospitality the other af
ternoon." she replied, and both re-
lapscd into silence as the neat maid
entered 10 draw the long curtains
across the windows SO that the room
was filed by the soft haze of tho
goldenshaded lamp which hung over
the dinnertable.
AZ they took their seats, Maud
glanced at her guest and sighed. For
many years they had been the closest
of friends. Even Ends marriage had
not broken the complete chain Of
their affection. Maud had rejoiced
in the other girls happiness, and
told herself that here at least was
one perfect alliance, for she was as
proud Of Philip as though he had
been her own brother.
Yet she had been very much dis.
turbed and surprised at Ends sud.
den arrival two afternoons ago. Sur
girl. She was 10 longer the light
hearted. laushtcr-loving companion
she had known so long; she became
embarrassed when her husbands
name was mentioned, and Maud, see.
ing that something was wrong, had
not put any questions until this eve.
ming. That Enid had not chosen to
speak OF her trouble did not lessen
her friends anxiety.
Toward the close Of tho meal the
telephone bell rang, and Maud ex-
cused herself, noticing, as sho left
tho room. how the other girls eyes
followed her as though she feared