The evening world., 1921-01-06
HlstdlRieRt No. 40.
THE STORM AND AFTER.

unaware or the passing OF
time, for the sun was shining
brightly at G o'clock in May, I had
quite forgotten all about Basil Ear-
riugton's matchbox lying on my living
room table and that 1 was not eager
20 have Hugh happen in and find It
there. had beon 80 entertained by
the gay spirits and sprishtly gossip
OF Elsie Drake and bsr party that the
passing Of time had made no impress
sion upon me until I suddenly looked
at my watch. As I jumped TO my feet
IN alarm others in the party followed
ana trooping out Of the tea room ali
Of US got into Elsie brakes car.
All the way home ] felt uneasy,
although 1 despised myself for that
weakness. What had to be alarmed
about, TO be ashamed Of? Hugh knew
that Basil Harrington was spending a
great deal OF time with me, and I
always was so perfectly frank with
him about eeeing. Basil. Nevertheless
hardly was prepared to see the front
door standing open when we drove W
- AANAe VI TIC llOuSCs II seemed 10
me like a sort OF NemesiS-HuRh, who
always was 50 late nowadays, coming
home at such an unusually early hour
I could feel my pulse throbbing in my
throat as said goodby to Elsie Drake
and started up the walk.
Entering the hall could see Hugh,
apparently absorbed in hts newspaper
seated with his back TO the door.
Hello, Hughie," ! said, with an
orort to speak cheerfully and nGtur-
ally. You're early and I'm late, but
I'll have your dinner ready before you
know II. It's in the cooker and I'll
only have to take It out"
Hugh did not answer me-he had
not so much as turned his head. AS
] passed by him and into the dining
room ] saw that Basil Harrington's
silver matchbox was gone from its
place on the living room table.
Hugh had taken it-that was evil
dent. What was he going to do with
1t? What was he going TO say 70 me
about 1t? The prospect OF the next
Few hours sickened me.
Almost breathlessly, 1 hurried 10
my bedroom. Taking or my hat, ]
tied an apron over my street-dress
and went into the kitchen. In my
nervous haste, I cut my finger and
the now OF blood hampered my
preparations. The vegetables were
in the fireless cooker. I had only 10
broil a steak. In my distress over
Hugh's sulking attitude, turned the
gas too high and Scorched the meat.
The meal Wus wTetched-the poor
est dinner ever had pat before
Hugh. Hugh made no comment upon
1t. Striving TO redeem an all too
painful situation, / tried TO make
conversation and repeated to my un-
sympathetic. upresponsive audience
OF one, several good stories that had
been told over the tea table during
summoned a feeble smile. All the
the afternoon. Once or twice, Hugh
time l was turning over in my head
plans Of self defense in case the
storm of Hugh's displeasure should
break over me. was not kept long
IN suspense,
After clearing away the dinner
dishes, went into the living room
and, still maintaining an outward
show OF cheerful composure, seated
myself in my favorite chair, turned
on the light and opened my inla!d
work box which always stood on the
table. I had taken but a few stitches
when Hugh threw down his maga-
zine, put his hand. deep into his
trousers pocket, drew It out and laid
u heavily on the table. The impact
OF It was like a blow. Lifting his
hand presently, he disclosed Basil's
silver match box.
THAT seems TO be almost a house
mold article around here nowadays"
he remarked satirically, and his
words were sharp as q rapier thrust.
Then he gave the MATCHBOX a
vicious little snap with his third fin
ger and sent it spinning across the
table.
"Weu. what Of it7' I said coolly,
FOR l deeply resented Hu6h's manner
md words
what OF it?" he repeated with rls-
ing anger rs II nothing THAT you
compromise both yourself and me by
allowing Harrington TO play the
lover? Is it nothing that you permit
an old admirer of yours to follow you
out here and beau you around as II
YOU were a young girl, making you
absolutely ridiculous? Women in my
family never did that. You would
not have done il, either, If We had
not been In a. new country, far from
our family and our old friends"
Hugh, stop right there" I cried,
rising TO my feet and surprising my
Slf by my display of courage. You
cannot talk that way to me. am
going to tell you why have let Basil
come here and beau me around as
YOU say. I've been so lOnely-so
wretchedly lonely.
Might after night have waited
and waited for you. know that you
were desperately busy and had a good
deal to worry you. but that did not
change the fact thatN your business