Carolina watchman. [volume] (Salisbury, N.C.) 1871-1937, 1933-02-17

rette and trying to see beyond the
immediate present. Was there tc
be any beyond? Barbara would not
! tell him, and he himself could
not find the answer.
When Pauline came book per-
haps they would find it, or she
would find it for them. The tele-
phone rang. Was it Barbara, to say
she could not dine with him? His
heart almost seemed to stop beat
ing as he waited, and then he
caught his breath in a great sigh
of relief as he knew it was not she.
1t wa Stornaway:
"That you, O'Hara? l say, I'm
awfully sorry, but l can't come a.
long tonight, after all. I've been
sent for to go home. Old Thomp-
son is i'll. Hope it's not leaving
you in the cart.
mo, not at ALIVE not book
ed anything. I'm sorry, though"
"Lair!' he told himself cheerily
as he rang off and went to get his
o%vercoat.
Dinner alone with Barbara-he
felt like a happy schoolboy as he
went down stairs and out into the
street. A whole evening alone
with her Would she come now
that Stornaway would not be
there? Well, he would not tell her
until she asked. 1t seemed a long
time before his knock on Barbara
door was answered, and then it
was Mrs. Mellish who admitted
him.
She said, "Good-evening, sir"
in her quiet voice and led the way
into the sitting room.
"Mrs. Stark will not keep you
long, sir" She hesitated, looking at
him with those quiet eyes that saw
so much and betrayed so little.
"Mrs. Stark has been a little up
set," she added.
"Upset?"
II expect Mrs.. Stark will ex-
plain to you, sir"
She went away, leaving Dennis
to wait impatiently.
When she came he saw that she
was ready, dressed and wearing a
gown he had once admired. He
went quickly to her and took her
hands.
what is it, my dear?"
She smiled. did Mellish tell
you? Bless her heart! She knows
there is nobody else l should ever
tell my trouble to, Dennis She
bent and dropped a kiss on his coat
sleeve. mix some cocktails, please,
and I'll tell YOU"
She sat down by the fire and
watched him; then suddenly she
spoke.
II had an unexpected visitor to-
day, Dennis"
"Oh!" He was not greatly in
terested. "Who was it,"
my husband."
The fragile stem of the glass he
was holding snapped suddenly be-
tween Dennis O'Hara's fingers.
He had forgotten that Barbara had
a husband living.
II thought you never saw him.
he said with an effort.
II haven't-for years. He came
this afternoon. l had no idea he
was in New York"
There was a little silence. "What
did he want?" Dennis asked sharp
ly. She lifted her beautiful eyes.
He asked me to go back tc
him."
Dennis stood very still for q
moment; then he turned mechani-
cally again to his job.
"You like French Vermouth?'
he said.
please" Then she laughed, :
wild little laugh that sounded in
6nitely sac. Make it strong, Den.
mis-, so strong that / shan't carr
what happens or what becomes Of
me-"
She flung out her hands with
pathetic gesture of emptiness, bu'
Dennis took no notice. He finish.
ed his mixing and brought a glas'
to her. As she took it he asked
And what did you .say?'
II told him | would think abou1
it." There was a long silence
"You know he divorced me-" sh'
said presently.
Dennis did not answer.
Her face whitened, and she sale
almost in a whispers: cit WASH