Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-11-09
a BACHELOR HUSBAND
BY RUBY NJ. AYRES
Author OF "Richurd Chafterfon," Etc.
Copprtoht. 1850. by W. J. Watt a Co.

erS mad struggled into evening clothes,
They did not At him particularly well,
Dut they seemed to magnify the SQUARE
ness and strength of his build. Though
le was not so tall as Chris, he always
looked taller, and, despite his ugly fea
lures, there was something very noble
In the rough outline of his head and
shaggy hair.
Where are they playing today" he
asked, breaking a silence that was be-
ginning to get unbearablc, and Marie
said
Where we went before--tho place
where Mrs. Heriot is staying"
"Oh - There was something dry in
the little monosyllnble that made her
say impulsively: II suggested It. Chris
mas been so unselfsh intely, taking us
about all over the place. thought he
deserved a holiday-he likes paying
with Dorothy, you know"
Yes" There was the sound Of d
car driving ub outside. and Feathers
said, with obvious relief: Here they
are. ! expect"
Chris came into the room moment
later; lie looked at his wife anxiously.
m sorry, Marie Celeste" he said.
Inc "retched car broke down. and it
LOOK me half an hour TO get 1t right.
nope you haven't been anxious about
rs! How are you. old chap"
The two men shook hands.
Where is Dorothy?" Marie asked,
ana Chr.S looked away from her us he
sald' believe she went straight up
stairs to dress"
III go and tell her not to hurry"
Marie ran up to her friends room,
knocked at the door, and getting no
answer, turned the handle and went in.
D,orothy was standing in the middle Of
,he room. her hands over her face. Sho
had made no attempt 10 change her
trock, and She still wore her coat ana
1he Jaunty velvet cap with jays wing
at the size IN which she had started out
that morning.
Marie gave little stilled cry.
dorothy. Oh what is the mattcr?"
Dorothy started violently. She dabbcl
her eyes hurriedly with her handkerchief
and tried to laugh.
Nothing. Don't look so scared.
I'm only rather worried" She turned
away to hide her face. I've had
letter with rather bad news. No, |
can tell you now-:t'S nothing Please
go down and I'll be ready in minute.
IN 30 sorry we're late, Marie. The
silly car went wrong"
II know. Chris told me. Dorothy
are you sure there is nothing the mat
ter-nothing / can do for you:"
Quite sure. Run downstairs,
there's dear; won't be a minute.
She almost turned Marie out Of the
room.
Chris was coming upstairs as she
crossed the landing. and he stopped,
looking al her in quick concern.
Celeste?"
no, only-Chris. Dorothy is crying
so! She won't tell me what is the
matter. She says she's had bad news
in a letter.
He went to his room. abruptly.
worry"
| His voice sounded rather strange and
unnatural, and Marie was puzzled as
she went slowly downstairs.
The postman had tu>t been and one
OF the servants was sorting the letters
at the hail table. Marie went up to her.
'GreysOn. were there any letters for
Miss Webber by the afternoon post?"
No. ma 'am-none. Only two for
Miss Chester"
Marie $ Drown eyes dllRted.
There has only been the one post
since the early morning, hasn't there? 2"
she asked
Yes, ma am
Thank you" She went on to the
| drawing room, with little feeling of
apprehension.
Dorothy had lied to her. then. Why?
She thought of the strained note in
Chris voice az he spoke to her on the
landing, and n namelcSs fUar crept into
her heart.
Chris talked necessarily during
dinner. Marie had never seen him sO
gay, and though she tried her best to
kill 1t, the suspicion that he knew the
cause of Dorothy's distress grew in
her heart.
Something had happened between
them that afternoon.
''iou ladies' are very quiet" Feathers
said. turning to her. and Marie reused
herself with an effort.
Dorothy Webber was almost silent
Her head achcd. she said: she thought
it must have been the sun that after
noon.
you played fine game" Chris
told her. 81 shall have to look to my
laures.' She did not answer. seemed
not to have heard, and Marie asked,
Did you see Mrs. Heriot?"
"les. She and her sister had four
some with us" 1t was Chris who
answered. "Shc told mo to give YOU
her love-" he added with twinkle,
"and to say that she should be in town
tomorrow and would call to see YOU"
1t was on the tip Of Marie's tongue
to say that she would not be in, but
she checked the words. After all, Mrs.
Ileriot did not matter to her. She was
10 longer actively jealous.
The dinner was hardly n success.
whats the matter with every ouc?"
Dorothy asked impaticntly as she and
Marie followed Miss Chester to the
were all very dull?' she appealed to
the old lady.
Il really didn't notice. my dear"
Miss Chester answered complacpnlly.
- have Just worked it out IN my mind
and | believe ! shall finish that shawl
in apctner three days"
Marie laughed. "And how long has
it taken you to work, dearf'
Nearly two years. but then worked
slowly, and my sight is not 80 good rs
il used to be-" Miss Chester answered.
Marie took up fold Of the shawl.
! 1t was eXquisitely soft and OF the finest
| pattern.
1T would make lovely shawl fOr
baby" she said, and then flushed
meeting her aunt's eyes. She got up
and went over to the piano, and began
turning over some music. She knew
the thought that had been in Miss
Chesters mind. and her heart aChed.
Young as she was herself Marie loved
children. and one very tender dream
had gone crashing to earth with the
ruins when her castle fell.