The Washington herald., 1921-05-18

| A New Novel
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NAMarriedLif A
N sss.y Written By II MN
P Mildred K Barbo~ IQt
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CXI-FORLORN.


Nancy did not sleep at all that
night
She had stopped at the telegraph
ONCE and sent a wire to Curtis
Stanley at Chicago, bidding him
come at once.
When she went back to her own
apartment she found the Harding
clan assembled in the library, dis
cussing the matter of Peggy's de-
sertion of her husband. Reeve
Lewis, It seemed, had been there
with an overture OF peace, but on
finding Peggy's first husband on the
scene, had departed in a towering
rage
To stay and listen to a recital Of
Peggy's woes: to turn a deaf, ear to
Phillip Harding's obvious gallantry,
and to listen to Mrs. Harding's
shrilI-voiced bromides. was moro
than Nancy could bear in her an
xious, nervous state.
Il shall fspend the night at Con-
MES house" she announced.
Peggy, will you please tell the
maid to pack an overnight bag?
"Oh. my dear. she's out for the
evening. She has a young man. you
know. and you should really see
her when she goes OF 1 met her
out in front the other night, and
she positively made ne look dowdy.
She wears her clothes aS well as
you do, Nancy"
They're probably my clothes"
returned Nancy griniy. she's the
most impertinent siri I've ever seen.
Why don't you get a maid who
doesn't look like a musical comedy
soubrette?"
"Oh. my dear. IL you only knew
the trouble we've had" Peggy
rolled her eyes heavenward.
Mamma Harding. do tell Nancy
about your experience with that
employment agency"
Nancy fed.
II was the last drop in her cup.
She threw some toilet articles into
her bag. slipped out Of her evening
gown and into a street frock.
Glancing around the room to see
II there was any necessary article
that she had forgotten, she was
aware of something soft brushing
against her ankles.
It was Semiramis, daring to
come forth like a fugitive at night
fall when the Harding "enfant ter
rible" was in bed.
On a sudden inspiration she gath
cred him up. tucked him under her
arm. and went down to the taxi.
1t was late. and a cold drizzle
that was half sleet had begun to
fall. The streets were deserted of
pedestrians. except for an occasional
hurryinE figure with upturned coat
collar who sought warmth and shell
ter. The lights of the drive were
reflected with cleaning accuracy on
the wet pavements. A few motors
passed by. moving slowly with
sleet-covered windshields closed,
their skidchains cracking on the
asphalt.
4 sense of utter desoiation swept
over Nancy. She felt as lonely and
homeless as the little shop girl who
had lost her job when Fleurette
died Her money. her position, her
apartment, the smart gown she
wore. the gold-fitted travelling bag
at her feet. the Persian cat in the
curve of her arm. counted as moth
ing before the fact that she was
out in the storm on a winter mid
night. She was literally without
home. or husband. or protection, or
rest for her WEAKNESS.
Her husband was removed from
her by a stretch of rolling seas: he
was removed even further by mis-
understanding and that never-to-be
explained Cheque in Fleurette's
handbag. Her apartment had been
taken from her by Peggy Lewis and
the Hardings; her rest and her
time and her independence were
usurped by Constance Stanley; her
confidence in herself had been
shaken by Dr. Langwell
She put her head down suddenly
on Semiramis' fluffy coat. and a big
tear stole down her cheek into the
eats soft fur.