The Monmouth inquirer., 1922-03-23

was tne idSL 10 euteI the Car, ana O1u-
ding the chauffeur wait, hurried back
through the crowd, taking some money
from a pocket and wrapping it In
handkerchief. But, like phantom, Els
ther was gone.
Fitzhugh was the most brilliant at
the supper table that night. and Artie
the most glum. But while F1tzhugh's
brillianoy was something hectic and
of a-nard, unnatural glitter too patent
20 escape attentive note, Artte's glum-
ress was poignantly real. Artie, ct
last emerging from his vicarious
blindness, was Supplied by what he
saw. That he should have done this!
That he should have nursed this viper
in his bosoih-aided this upstarf to
secure the very prize that he himself
wanted! The irony of it! The bitter.
ress! 1t was enough to make him cry
aloud.
Mrs. Otis was unhappy, too. Alone
with her, awhile ago, Fitzhugh, unable
to cope with her frozen silence, had
told ksr nothing. But this mattered
little. Had he told her all he could
haze done no more than confirm her
worst suspicion. or late her ambitious
eye had been dazzled by coronet, the
wearer of which knew well his Brad
street. and she had watched her
daughter very narrowly that evening.
That air of half fearful elation, as Of
cne frightened by unexplained happi-
ness, those shining eyes, which evad-
ed and became downcast on no pro-
vocation, that fleeting blush. which
came and went so easily-what did ali
tlis portend? Verify, the coronet must
be rubbed to brighter gloss and this
parvenu given the boot. And Mrs. Otis
said to herself before going to bed that
night:
THANK heaven we sail Friday.1
Fitzhugh had told Haki not to wstt
up for him, and when he let himself
in between one and two o'clock his
apartment was dark save for light
in the hall. He went to his bedroom.
switched ON the bulbs over his dress.
ing table and began to disrobe. He had
thrown his coat across the back of .
chair and was removing his tie, when
the door bell rang. Thinking it one Of
his bachelor friends, he DOTTED the
rest of his clothes and donned bath
robe before answering knowing he
could the easier get rid of tiresome
company when thus attired.
He opened the door and found Es-
ther.
Even then, so instructive was his
histrionic sense, he could not but ap-
preciate the theatric possibilities of
the situation. He put aside. however,
with feeling of repugnance his first
impulse to say something dramatic.
Il saw you tonight" he said, speak
ing as though they had parted yester-
day, "but when l looked for you you
were gone"
.Yes." Her yeice was husky, almost
a whisper, and she spoke automatical-
iy, as one in dream. She leaned
against the door way, her feverish
black eyes searching his face.
"You are cold,' he remarked, begin
ming to feel uncomfortable. Come In
TO the study. It's warm there"
He preceded her into the study, plac.
ed chair for her near the steam coils
and lighted shaded lamp on the IL
brary table.
"You have been ILL" he inquired,
lingering some books on the table.
yes" Her dark eyes, glowing Like
living Goals devcured him.
81 wish had known he went on.
in the same politely interested man
ner. II am very sorry. 1t has changed
you greatly"
eyes"
There was a silence. Somewhere .
soft toned clock chimed two. He pick
ed up book looked at her. put it
down, picked it up again. Her eyes
never left his face. He twiddled the
leaves of the book, whistling below
his breath with false unconcern. And
her burning gaze seemed to scofch
him with its intensity.
He banged the book on the table.
For Gods sake, don't look at me
like that! What have done to you"
He checked himself, suddenly apollo
getic. "You mustn't mind my little
flare up it doesn't mean anything. I'm
= little nervous tonight" He walked
over and laid his hand on her shoul-
Ger, coaxing friendliness. Whats
wrong with my girl anyway? Why
doesn't she talk to me?'
She removed his hand. drew away
from him, as though loathing his
touch. AS he stood over her there ap-
Feared between his brows those vertt.
cal lines she had SO often seen.
He hooked his thumbs through the
cord of his Turkish bathrobe. saying
in a businesslike tone: Il am sorry
you couldn't cash my draft. ] got it
back today. OF course ! take 1t for
granted you couldn't get the money in
Russia, since there is no other reason
for your returning it."
Il didn't try to cash your draft, she
said dully