The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1919-12-30

His wife sat ns N turned 90 stons
Tor only a few seconds. when she
spoke u was naturally and cheer
fully.
III be ready In no time. dear
where arc We 90 dinc7" She glanced
at her little crystal clock as abe
spoke. as II she were computing cas-
uaily the length Of the drive before
dinner. But what she said In her
heart was. AT this time tomorrow
u viii all have been over for many
hournr
a few days later tho Gregory'
sailed for bermuda. Rachael with a
sense Of whipped and smar,ins
shame that was all the more acute
because she could not share II with
this dearest comradc and confidant
Warren thought indeed that the mis-
cradle episode Of tho past week had
been dismissed from her mind. and
dcilghung like boy In tho little
holiday. and proud % his beautiful
wife. he found their hours at pen
eioudieHs. with two men. whose
/ acquaintance was made on the
steamer. they played bridge. and
kacharrs game drew other players
from all sldon 10 watch her leads
and grin over her bidding Thcy
walked up and down the deck for
hours together. they lay side by side
In deck chairs iaziiy watching the
blue water creep No and dcssn the
painted white ropes OF the rail. bml
they never spoke of Clarence Brock
onridgc
Tho Nsrds-Gras dance had been
| like n hideoun dream 10 Rachael
/ She had known thnt IL would -
hard from IN. first aick rno,ncn, IN
which. the rignifcarcc o, Clarence Il
suicide Rad rushed upon her. she
had known that her arriving guests
would BE- gay and conversational.
that the dance and tho supper would
go with n dash and swing which no
other circumstance could moro Ger
,ainly have assured for them. and
she knew that in every heart would
~ the knowledge that Clarence
breckenridge was dying by his own
hand. and his daughter on the ocean.
and that this woman in the Indian
dr~na. with painted lips and tiger
skin outlining her beautiful figure.
had been his wife.
This she had expected. and this
was AZ shs had expected. But there
were other circumstances that made
her feel even more acuteiy the turn
fk ~ -.
ciarencc's closest friend. did not
come 10 the dance. and at about IL
O'Clock nm innocent maid delivered
10 Warren n message tina, several
persons besides Warren heard mfr.
Butler 20 speak 90 you on the tclc.
phone. DR. Gregory"
Everyone could surrnis, where
Joe Butter was. but no one voiced
the Hupposition. Warren. handsome
in skirted coat. knee brooches. and
ruffics. disappeared from the room
and the dancing went on. Tho scene
was unboilevabiy brilliant. tn. hot.
bright air sweet with flowers and
perfume. and the moro subtle odors
Of siik and fine linen and powder
on delicate skin.
Warren was presently among them
again. and there was a supper. the
hostess lovely face showing no more
strain or concern than was natural
TO n woman eager 10 make comfort.
able nearly a hundred guests.
Aftr supper there was more dane.
ing. and an augmented Eayety. There
were no more telephone messages,
nor was there any definite founda.
ton for tho runor that was present
~ stcalthily circulating. women
powdering their noses M they wait
ed for their wraps. murnured II IN
the dressing rooms. n clown. smok'
ing in the hall, confided II TO n
Mephistopheles pastry cook. after
his ELUSIVE good nights. confirmed
IL ne he climbed into the motor car
that held the Picrrettc who was his
wife: Dead. poor fellow
Dead. poor ClaronceF SAID MIS-
Prince. magnificent ms Queen ELIZA.
beth. ms she and Elinor Nanderwall
went down stairs. She had once
danced a fancy dance with nm more
than 20 years ago. "AwfulF SAID
Eiinor. shuddering.
Aftes the last guest was gone war
ren tclcphoned 10 the hospital. Ra-
chael. little tired and pale In the
Indian costume. watching and listen.
ing tensely. She was sick al heart
Even into the library where thcy
stood, the Mardl Gras disorder had
penetrated: blue silk mask was ly'
ing cross Warren's blotter, n sphtter
OF confetti lay on the polished floor.