The Washington times., 1922-04-02

don't know that the servants
weren't safe from you? Even on
our honeymoon. Don't make me
talk of these things. It's been hell
And hell again for all those years,
when I was woman who'd been
deserted. not wanted, a failure, an
object for pity, scrapped by a
drunkard and philanderer."
"Clarrie." said Caldecot, as he
slowly lit a cigarette, you've in.
creased your vocabulary since my
day. Well, I'll be fair and square
with you. I'm quite willing to over
look the past. At least. it's in your
hands to make me pleasant. don't
want to make a fuss; dear me. no.
Only you're rather rude, rather hys-
terical, l suppose. Natural enough
under the stress of reunion, and |
won't say another word about It,"
AS he paused she realized that
she was right, that something de-
libera.e emanated from his speech
"Oh," she said, 81 see. This inter
view so far Is not very agreeable,
Godfrey"
Don't call me Godfrey" said
Caldecot, protesting. 1T sounds so
cold. Call me Geoff and let every.
thing be rapture and roses"
What do you want?" cried Mrs
Caldecot again, and this time
stamped upon the floor.
"All right" said Caldecot, Tn
tell you. It's little difficult to ex.
plain. The natural delicacy which
is so strong in me holds me back.
but TIE fact is that while the yea RS
rolled by, even though was abroad,
! never forgot you, Clarrie, and |
kept upon you an eye-oh, in the
cause Of conjugal tenderness, of
course-but still-an eye"
"An eye!" repeated Mrs. Calde.
cot. AS she spoke her first bewil.
derment passed away and her heart
began to beat faster. She was
frightfully afraid, and she did not
know Of what, but Just OF the idea
shot thiS WhO hdu SuC1
ruin of her life, had not left her
when he deserted her; that still be
had hung about her life-an evil
spirit.
why, yes, Of course, my dear"
replied Caldecot, blandly. did you
really think that because pressing
circumstances called me abroad
should lose all interest in one so
near and so dear? Why, remem.
ber on our honeymoon in Venice
oh, but what's the use of talking OF
that! Well, well, time goes on. All,
me!"
"Geoffrey." said Mrs. Caldecot in
a surprisingly even voice, which
showed that already she had col
lected her strength, preparing to
fight, SAY what you mean"
Anything to please you. As I
was saying, always liked to know
what you were doing. was so
sorry to think that you might be
lonely-though I had an idea that
wouldn't last long"
How dare you!"
Il dare because | know. Now.
now, don't blush, even If you have
been naughty. And don't look so
tragic and clench your fists at me.
Bless me, don't blame you. In.
deed, was quite interested when
little bird told me that you were
lunching and dining out, and the
little bird even twittered something
about week-ending out, and always
in the same company"
Il suppose you thought" said
Mrs. Caldecot, choosing aggression
as her method of defense, ".hat af.
ter you'd gone I was going to avoid
the society Of my friends, that I'd
sit and mourn you"
mo, I didn't think you'd do,that
At least, no longer than was decent.
l gather you mourned me for FIVE
years, old dear, and, really, l think
1t awfully sweet Of you. SO wasn't
when was told that you
and Mr. Rodbourne, M. P. for East
Farnshire"-