The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1915-05-17

and careless. was known a a lady's man.
and already disquieting rumors were
\ reaching his wife. On the morning on
| which our story opens. Mrs. Fall had
. seen him through the window, talking to
a pretty society bud. and had sent the
maid to call him back. There had been
a scene and he had left for his office in
| huff.
| Lo Miss Foster How're you this
| fine morning? hope your father is
| better" 1t was Norris talking to his
! stenoGrapher.
Good morning. Mr.. Norris. He's some
better. thank you. She was trying TO be
| brave and answered with an attempt al
cheerfulness that set her head pounding
! violently, and made her grasp at her
! desk for support. He had thrown of his
light top coat and. without looking at her.
sat down. and was in moment deep in
his mornings mail. Some communication
OF more than ordinary imr ortance cause
him to stop in his envelope Sitting. and
he rose to confer with her upon its con-
tents. Then for the first time he looked
at her and knew from her flushed cheeks
and unnaturally bright eyes that some
thing was wrong.
why, Miss Foster he exclaimed in
genuine concern, "Whatever's the trou-
What's up?
oh. nothing she answered. trying to
make light of his Concern-'leastwise
nothing that matters. Just a bothersome
cold. ard little headache. BY the way.
is that that Smith 4 Hodson letter?
What's the latest development this
morning: What did they say to your
proposal to
Never mind that for moment.
,,1a ~. tn ha IN
off into that channel You're ILL.,
Il assure you, Mr. He made a
quick gesture indicative of his intention
not to be put of i'm his inquiry. and
crossing quickly to where she stood took
both her pale. thin hands in both of his.
and noted with quick concern that they
were burning.
This will never do he said gravely.
and with emphatic carnestness. And he
rereated half aloud. half to himself.
never. never do. I'm afraid I've been a
bit of a brute lately. what with the night
work. Sundays. and skimped lunch
hours" He disregarded her attempt to
assuaee his self-reproach. and went on.
But I'll see to that You're slated for a
vacation. and that in short order. I'll
make arrangements" He turned Thought
fully away. and went back to his letters.
willard Fall. across the court, in his
Myra stood at her desk beside the broad
window. and an evil smile lighted his
coarse features as he noted Norris take
Myra's hands IN his and hold them the
while he spoke solicitously to her. De-
void of concern for the welfare of his
own help. he had not the inesse to at
tribute another's concern to anything
other than a personal motive. and he
felt a miserable citation at what he con-
sidered Norris little game" His re-
Elections were disturbed by the slight. re-
current creaking Of his door, as Of some
one trying cautiously. inch by inch. to
open II unnoticed. He sprang from his
chair, strobe with swift soft steps to the
door. pulled 1t suddenly open, and con-
fronted-his wife.
He bowed with mock courtesy at her
startled surprise at being apprehended.
and spoke with more than his usual unc-
ton.
$50. my dear. spying on me. Ell? Had
OWNED your coming. I might have
made preparations 8, not to disappoint
your expectations. and lived up to my
reputation as blackguard roue. You
should have let me know. SOS / could
have made ready a tableau to satisfy
your Unsuitable desire for q scene. Fancy
the notoriety. to say nothing OF the ALI
mony. You might engage q publicity
agent. pose as injured innocence. and
get your picture in the Sunday maya
Kline
She turned. and had started to go.
when his voice again arrested her.
Your idol seems to have clay feet
You indulge in the common fallacy of
imagining that every man you have no
intimate acquaintance with Is a model
Of propristy. No one who q acquainted