The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser., 1917-03-16
CHAPTER XVIII.
Temperamental.

temPerdnehtdi.
September waned and October
dawned in grateful coolness: an exqui-
site month of crisp nights and enliven-
ing days, of mellowing sunlight and
early gloamings tenderly colored.
Country houses were closed and the
aters reopened. Then suddenly the
town blossomed overnight with huge
cight-sheet posters on every available
boarding, blazoning the news:
JULES MAX
begs to announce the return Of
SARA LAW
In a new Comedy entitled "Faith"
by JULES MAX
Theater MAx-Friday October 18th
But Whitaker had the information
before he saw the broadsides in the
streets. The morning paper propped
up on his breakfast table contained
the Illuminating note under the cap
ton, "News of Plays and Players"
Jules Max has sprung another aid per-
haps his greatest surDiiss On the theater-
going public of this city. The astute
manager has been out es town for two
months secretly rehearSinE the new COM
edy entitled Faith" OF ahich he is the
author and in which saIa Law will re-
turn finally to the stage. Additional in
terest attaches to this announcement in
view of the fact that Miss Law has au-
thorized the publication of her intention
never again to retire from the stage.
The opening performance of Faith"
will take place at the Theater Max to-
morrow evening. Friday. October Is.
Whitaker glanced up incredulously
at the date line of the sheet. Short
notice, indeed: the date was Thursday,
October II. Max had planned his
game and had played his cards cum
ningly, in withholding this announce
ment until the last moment.
After a pause Whitaker rose and be-
gan to walk the length of the room.
hands in his pockets. head bowed in
thought.
Search as he would, he could dis
cover no ranking Indignation, nothing
but some self-contempt, that he had
allowed himself to be so carried away
by infatuation for an ignoble woman,
and cynic humor that made it pos
sible for him to derive a certain salts
faction from contemplating the COM
pleteness of this final revelation of
herself Returning to the breakfast
table, he took up the paper, turned
to the shipping news, and ran his eye
down the list of scheduled sailings:
nothing for Friday; his pick of half
a dozen boats listed to sail Saturday.
The telephone enabled him to make
a hasty reservation on the biggest and
fastest of them all.
He had just concluded that business
and was waiting with his hand on the
receiver to call up Ember and an
nounce his departure, when the door
bell interrupted. Expecting the waiter
to remove the breakfast things, he
went to the door, threw it open, and
turned back instantly to the telephone.
AS his fingers closed around the re-
Ceiver a second time, he looked round
and saw his wife.
His hand fell to his side. Otherwise
he did not move. But his glance was
that of one incuriously comprehending
the existence of q stranger.
The woman met it fairly and fear
Iessly. with her head high and her lips
touched with a trace of her shadowy.
illegible smile. She was dressed for
walking very prettily and perfectly.
After moment she inclined her
head slightly. "The hallboys said you
were busy on the telephone. / insist
cd on coming directly up. l wish very
much to see you for few moments.
Do you mind?"
"By no means" he said, little
stiftiy but quite calmly. "If you will
be good enough to come in"
He stood against the wall to let her
pass.
81 had to come this morning" she
explained, turning. "This afternoon
we have a rehearsal.
He bowed an acknowledgment.
"NNon't you sit DOWN."
"Thank you" Seated, she subjected
him to a quick, open appraisal, dis
arming in its naive honesty.
Hugh aren't you a bit thin
ner?'
81 believe So" He had match for
that impertinence: ''But you, I see.
have come off without blemish."
81 am very WELL" she admitted, I'M
perturbed. Her glance embraced the
room. you're very comfortable here"
II have been"
81 hope that doesn't mean I'm in
the way
ITO the contrary; but l sail day
after tomorrow for Australia"
"Oh? That's very sudden isn't it?
You don't seem to have done any pack
ing. Or perhaps you mean to come
back before a great While?"
81 shan't come back, ever"
"Must l believe you made up your
mind this morning?"
81 have only just read the announce
ment of your opening tomorrow night"
"Then | am driving you out
of the country"
Her look was iInpersonal and curl
Gus.
His shoulders moved negIigently
"Not to rant about it," he replied: 81
find am not needed here
"Oh, DEAR" Her lips formed q fu-