Evening star., 1924-01-13

was the sense that he had no right
to succeed without her.
For several months she struggled
with the inclination to test him out
1t never occurred to her to test her
self. She was quite secure! It was
curiosity that eventually prompted q
note asking him to drop into lunch
con the following Sunday. She want
ed a bit of talk with him. Sam was
away on business-quite by chance,
Of course-and they would be alone.
His reply was as brief as 1t was
non-illuminating. His sincere re-
grets. but he was golfing Sunday. She
did not hesitate to give him an alter
native. Would he dine an evening
next week? She was tired and a fire.
side chat with an old friend would
be SO welcome. She would call him
tomorrow to nnd out what night
would suit him. It was couched In
most casual. most impersonal terms.
II he refused under these terms, it
must be because he was afraid Of her.
But his voice next day was firm and
quiet as he asked II tomorrow night
would suit her.
She put on white for him--Tom had
always loved her in white-and pearls
around her white throat. She entered
the drawing room, both hands swept
out to him. He took ono Of them.
shook 1t heartily, dropped II.
This is pleasant, Evelyn" were his
first words. seeing you SO we'll and
-er--comfy."
Sho led the way toward the double
doors at the far end.
THE library is cosier Shall we
try itr'
They sat before an intimate fire
until dinner was announced It was
served in the breakfast room at an
intimate little table. In the atmos-
phero was an aura Of intimacy. In
all save Toms attitudeI There was
about that q friendly impersonaIity
most disarming.
She congratulated him on his new
afnliation with his old firm.
IT was rather sudden. wasn't it?'
she inquired.
mo. I've been specializing in the
bankruptcy end Of the game for sew
eral years"
You never mentioned It,"
Didn't r.
1t was q on-oommittal question.
How did You hnd out now7"
Peggy told mo"
Good old Peg" he smiled.
do you see much OF herr"
II don't see much Of any one. I'm
something OF a slave. but like it"
Tho law is your mistressg' she
put suggestively.
Tho law is my master" he cor
rected
Must you sor'
TIN an early riser. I ride every
morning at S.
1t was exactly as IL he had
yawned.
THE fre had drifted down to en-
bers. He stood looking into 1t a
moment, then at her, and his eyes
held the personal touch she wanted
to SEQ In them.
Prosperity agrees with you,
Evelyn" he said. you've put on
weight, and it gives you a look Of
reality that makes you a very
stunning woman"
Evelyn's breath caught. Was he
taking out his revenge in the in
sinuation that her ethereal beauty
was going. that It belonged to the
days which had belonged to him?
You'll come again?"
"Of course!"
The friendly. matter-of-fact way
he said It as he shook her hand
irritated her.
The moment he had gone, she
rushed to the nearest mirror, and
glanced up and down the length of
her figure. A sudden, chilling wave
Of horror sized her. He was right!
For six months Evelyn had tried
to live according to strict regime.
Walking instead OF driving. q canter
In tho park every morning-not
without eyes searching the br1dle-
path-dancing until she almost faint
cd from overexercise and under
nourishment: the things which had
been forced upon her through neces-
sity, she now forced upon herself.
But only for q time! She began to
make excuses to herself for side
stepping the thorny path. The truth
must be faced! The Undine who had
fioated out Of existence.
"For heavens sake, why don't you
20 light on tho foodstuffs?" Sam pro-
tested moro than once.
And moro than onoe Evelyn turned
to him. tho dreams gone from her
green eyes, and blaIed:
III any one needs that advice, I
should say take look at Sam
Partridge!"
They weren't pretty, those scenes,
and Evelyn hated them-so much 30,
that she began to hate the man whose
name she bore.
She went to Newport. She went
abroad. She went to the coast and
thence to tho orient
Meanwhile her husband played
round New York and the vicinity. At
least she assumed he was playing.
Their corrsspondence was not ex-
tensive.
On Evelyn's return from tho orient.
her husband met her at the Grand
Central. ana she noticed instantly
change in his appearance. He was
disheveled- He had the peculiar look
Of lack Of concern that marks tho ap-
pearance Of those whose minds are
harAssed.
whats wronET she asked. a.
soon "a shs had sunk into the
cushions Of her car.
He said nothing.
"Sam," she prompted, this time
more snxiously, "for heavens sake,
what's happened?"
Better wait till we get home,"
was all he permitted himself.
He followed her from the car TO the
tiny elevator. then TO her room. Hsr
maid started q unpack her bags.
ssa>~E 49, a~av - hA aaA ahruntlv