The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1921-09-06

She tore the paper into pieces ana
threw them into the waste paper
basket.
There was o moment Of silence.
then she got up and walked out
Of the room. Philip waited till he
heard her 60 upstairs, then he took
the torn papers from the waste
paper basket and pieced them to.
gether with infinite difficulty. Pre-.
sently he had all the words spread
on the blotter before him.
TITS. your fault I have come
because I promised yon
would. but let me off. Tom. am
suffering, suffering. There seems
nothing left in all the world any
more but Just pain I"
Philips face whitened as he
stared at the incoherent message
There was an envelope lying face
downward, close by. He turned 1t
over and 1t was addressed 70 CALI
gan.
Upstairs Eva had taken off her
hat and was standing listlessly in
the center Of the room. Her head
was burning hot and her temples
throbbed cruelty.
81 can't be Ill. there Isn't time"
she was telling herself determined
ly. only two wesks-there isn't
time"
She poured out some water and
laved her face: when she was sum-
moned for lunch she went out on
to the landing and met Mrs.
Winterdick.
II am very. pleased to see you.
my dear" the elder woman said.
She held out her hand, and Eva
submitted to he kissed.
II wonder IL she is ashamed Of,
me. too, as Peter is?" she thought.
They went downstairs together;
Eva's chair had been put beside
Philips. but she asked the maid
who waited at table to move II TO
cuse that she liked to see out Of
the window.
She exerted herself to talk; che
tried to remember what she had
been doing in New York since
Philip left her. but, looking back It
seemed like some delirium which
she only wished to forget. All her
days had been passed with Caillgan
and 1t was difficult to speak with
out mentioning his name. But he.
was in her thoughts all the time
against background of curious
resentment because IL had been
he who had forced this upon her.
She had not wished to come: the
first sight Of Philip had destroyed
all her hard-won indifference and
torn the wound open afresn.
As soon as lunch was finished she
slipped away. When the door had
closed Mrs. Winterdick said anx-
iously:
"she. looks very III, don't you
think, Phil?"
His face twitched.
Does she?"
He knew that his mother was
right; II had given him a shock to
see the alteration which two weeks
had made in his wife. Her face had
grown thin, and her pretty features
had sharpened: there were hollows
beneath her eyes. too. as II she had
not slept.
Was It because she was fretting
about Calligan or that other man7
he wondered. Since he had read
that incoherent message on the torn
paper he was almost sure that 1t
must be Calligan for whom she
really cared.
What had she meant by saying
that there seemed nothing left In ali
the world but pain?
One or two men whom he had run
up against In town had dropped him
q well-meant hint or two. Appar-
entity Eva had spent all her time In
Calligan's company, making no at
tempt to disguise the fact; she had
been seen everywhere with him.
TOO many late nights. I expect,
mother" Philip forced himself to
say. THE country will soon pull
her round again"
He went out into the hall and met
Eva coming downstairs. She was
dressed for walking. 7
Where are you going7" he ssked.
only home-I want to see them
ALL"
81 told your father you were com.
ing today"
She looked at him quickly.
You were very sure that I should
do as was told"
81 did not tell you'll only asked"
She did not contradict him. Philip
took his hat.
II will come with you"
She laughed.
I'VE are to make a good begin.
ming, Is that 1T We are to let every
one see that we do sometimes go out
together"
She felt better when she left the
house. The throbbing nerves In her
temples quieted q little, and the cool
autumn air soothed ner.
1t seemed strange to Be walking