Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-12-29

had recovered from Mulhausen. were
he to be exposed publicly as an i'm
poster, all about the Plinlimon letters
Voles and Mulhausen would come out.
Mulhausen, that very astute practl-
toner, would not be long in declar-
ing that he had been forced to
return the title deeds to protect his
daughters name. Voles would swear
anything, and their case would STAND
good on the proved fact that ne
Jones-was a swindler. No, assured
ly the family would not press the
matter to publicity.
Having drunk his tea, he arose
bathed and dressed with calm nina.
Then he came down stairs.
She was not in the breakfast room.
where only one place was laid, and
concluding that she was breakfasting
in her own room, he sat down to
table.
After the meal, and with another
sheaf of the internal early post let
tiers in his hand. he crossed to the
smoking room, where he closed the
door, put the letters on the table
and lit cigar. Then, having smoked
for few minutes and collected his
thoughts. he rang the bell and sent
for Mr.. Church.
Church" said he. when that func-
tionary arrived "wili y. you tell-my
Her ladyship left last night, your
lordship; she left at 10 o'clock, or
little after"
Lefty where did she go to-"
"She went to the South Kensington
Hotel, your lordship."
Good heavens! what made her
why did she go-ah. was 1T because
1 did not come back?"
II think it was, your lordship."
Mr.. Church spoke gravely and the
least bit stiffly. 1t could easily be
xl,o% 4 yn,,t ND a h.
full retainer he was on the woman's
side in the business.
II had to go out" said the other.
II will explain 1t to her when I see
her-it was on matter of impor-
tance-thanks, that will do: Church"
Alone again he finished his cigar.
The awful fear of the night before.
the fear of negation and the loss of
himself had vanished with a brain
refreshed by sleep and before this
fact.
What brute hee had been! She
had come back forgiving him for who
knows what, she had taken his part
against his traducers kissed him.
She had fancied that all was right
and that happiness had returned
and he had coidly discarded her.
1t would have been less cruel to
have beaten her. She was good,
sweet woman. He knew that fact
now, both instinctively and by knowl-
edge He had not known it fully
till this minute.
Would 1t. after all. have been bet
ter to have deceived her and to have
played the part of Rochester? That
question occurred to him for a mo-
ment to be at once flung away. 1t
was not so much personal antagonism
to such a course, nor the dread of
madness, owing to his double life.
that cast it out so violently, but the
recognition of the goodness and Iowa
bleness of the woman. Leaving ev-
erything else aside to carry on such
deception with her, even to think
of it. was impossible.
More than ever was he determined
to clear this thing up and tell her
all, and, to his honor be it said his
main motive now was to do his best
by her.
He finished his cigar and then. go
ing into the hall. obtained his hat
and left the house.
He did not know where the South
Kensington Hotel might be, but u
taxi solved that question. and shortly
before 10 o'clock he reached his destl-
nation
Yes, Lady Rochester had arrived