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Show 2ais) ) Well, would bé 4 dafversfon at the moment, to out Of this confused situation Way fet him think of some to plan something that would prevent the loss that threatThey listened to the slippered maid as she ened him. went down the hall, heard her quick exclamation of sur- HE night Barton discovered his wife singing a small part ih A: muéfical comedy at the Alcazar Was buried beneath three fears or intentional forgetfulness It was not mentioned in the home and had never been a subject for gossip By outsiders; at times Parton almost believed it a hideous nightmare, a fantasy of disordered sleep, and not an aétual thine rherefore the lately growing Yrestlessness 6f his wife carried to him no premonition that the discontent was still smoldering, that the sleeping Goes were drowsfly half awake instead of wrapped In deepest slumber. n the first Instance. There had b mn no scene The. man's hatred for anything approaching the nc ventional stified the shock of fi revelation, and Wher he called for her at t tage door after the performance it was with a Galm a irance that utterly disarmed any lurking suspicion that It was an act in a domestic tragedy Six years ago, when he had married pretty, tempestuous Edith Grant after a summer vacation's courtship, people who knew them bot ipproved heartily. He was ten years older, serious, ambitious, and willing to be a plod der, @ Blave to th ri ndstone Inn the best years of his manhood, to acquire a competence for the lnxury of his later life The girl, they said, needed just this sober, restraining Influence She reveled tn the riot of youth, lifo Was 4 succession of there was time enough In the years to comé for the comfortalte mmber, ash? er us warm browns and the FPlemental i: stincts of racing, red od were Dut thinly veneered with the repression 6f conventionality; she had married pri marily because she respected surrender to a great, bir that had compelled and quickened her, but fntangibly, indefinably, yetvaguely conscious that the new life would give her greater freedom, and a larger world than the restricted life of a little country mountain town afforded In a Sense it had, for immeédiately after the Wedding trip they were established In a city homé, comfortably modern, though not In the zone of extremeé fashion Acquaintances she made did not ripen tnto friendships because she had nothing in common with her husband's friends. Their wives were too 6¥d and their children too young to Appeal to her, and hér gracious apparent appreciation of hospitality received, and dissembled delight In returning courtesies camp from breeding alone, not from sincéré pleasure. Barton was frequently called to remotely distant mining camps to pass judgment cn properties for the magnates who employed him, and a8 no child Game to claim her Interest and awaken her love, time dragged with the young wift In a momeént of des perate rebellion she snéered at the Shakspearé club and berated Browning anda 41) his adorers, thereby putting between her husband's friends and herself a convenTent barrier. At tis osophy could ment, perfo@ not craved panions, All of ner life musty her moving, and need; active balked at she cried men and amusements tomes ont purely : provokingly . was tone her and Do you hear? dear, Whave Wothing. Vvou're trving té but an old Wéman. n made We've Her rebellious of gave ¥ way to ‘> caress with the blessed balm of A fe more fiercely than ever. company theatrical the with thoveh hive, eiline eared he urged Barton that from Well? l6ver's m IN Mr 1 exy I suppose come 1 it will 9 at city the to the By Dick. did, way, id sht kn "J don't goes thing that you or 12 at night 11 11 hor come on certain be will only "That. nervou are if you ind consolingly; 1 dog you get her shook someat f he's k was a such she's Dick, honeymoon on her just And, too ob Bd Ti ee eee See Dick, if you you has husband her think, 1 on business! Wd Anys and left me ‘away ey eT w« s - Thave . warhere's WO fear Ot thint," sald Dick Deverll ASk, his slipped He ingly. drew her to him You hér husband? "My the gost We dearest,' romantic on sat arm yu i shal I tt pending € rill D The 1 po ic k Be White t for t yo Tf all flying were day I wa great The 1 it but couple moon 9 t Elliott t and erills isecln t a fooll of 4 I k t Mr. fF t l t per to ber na ¢ ns that evs usual table it you Dor is pretty! ©, she if la I should iréam 160) You Dick ean ee al saat said I 1°ever aoe heard Story ves , beach the Is it see ert: ietan She boat, rota' horrid in that out went to ‘ie ms who "aia me " daine-told. that's her awful fuss The I ade an and she lived re orphan, stayShhh ha made he Anyway, Wretch. been a have ana wad: abe Sain to marry ae she wanted when you ott, thovgeh eh ef fim, for Sani in thelr village Ing Wasn't enore 4 Metith. she didn't know, that declared they had been meeting constantly for * the "1 expect jek: ; {it absurd? than ter gn observes so sure, not "I'm of charac judge a better was guardian yalns . pes Th ae to take Dick, horrid you re without Fé a Molly ex: laimed thing!" poor w they anyway, as other-just and Now, got isn't felt you married. that thes and cowl I fé lt, and are ; so a .Dick--s9°. here 07 they phety the he each ran away honeymoon. yery Moll) sald we'll discuss at this hour but a messenger with a of Yntil almost of methods. noon, a4 most was absolutely dearest Haby in new. the expert. He knéw more world." About His mines. opinion At the on Bbreak- what?" gasped his wife in evident amaze- king." And Yh A Bewitlderment of kisses John Barton excused his lack 6f fulfillment of the duties of citizenship, and decided that the unhappiness prevented more than justined the crime of omission he intended to commit glanced conceive 6n Man Her arms stole around bis neck and the new. light whieh came into her eyes And was reflected In his was pleasant to see. "JT mean, John Wear, I wean that I guess I don't care so much what other people Are doing. I mean that wi are going to be happy, really and truly happy, you and Tana the bAby. And T Weah this house isn't going to be convent: it's going to be paradise, John, and Love is of and Barton this "You know it cannot be kept here. There are foundling asylums for the city's walfs, And Wesides it you leave today " put the théveht Sf it Wart him and he did not finish. ; ; "1% L leave today? John Bartén, 'm ot Koing. to eave today or any other day, aid that cute, canning little baby IS not going to the police evatiod. So there." ‘You mean, Edith, dear--" and he arose ana came Wa where sho sat. i I'm action. what bat Sdrry, My dally potion. John, it all calmly, it that "You John, shelter the ror for ment. every I'm Been adapted fast tabre he thought of his duty. "rave the baby wrapped up Well, Baith, aa I'l talke It\té tne police station As ut ,he wot nd ‘arther : now. now, don't You in, it. confes what has What's that?" of your existence. It was a sudden peal of the dddrbell. the clock; it was after 10, and he eould visitor feeling eS t herchild, thanMy make dear essars : i k ! Dick frock, praise rdded ) his wit r t h of no telegram ou Were tondad- leave ~ ¢ b you, « the L eg) Ralph Then I'm you) you it ny 1 m I al 1.) yt he n and softened fa his ry being f me Forgive oa om a little I'm afraid 0" some had introduce shall Viola Elliott me i t She at 1 t ret A ; to 1 grew 1) that present "J Mr. rtl litt) t ild gently ; I had 1 Pin taken'a : great. Aunt I have suppose Elliott with them for ask silver heart with put-up My. to your -a° flat smile is seems ore n ve sint way in the crammed fou are he time @ with not blot I. wom in 1 the Molly to reduce bi a ¢ H see t6 0.2 ! chaos h afraid qui ialf betw my tc ta wit she ci she that sc. r ad 4 1 to mised was draw sad The towards of of : fell when was bars it} it excruci from which grated on her noise of nerves, 4 pencil t iby Vy h 1ey would break in and steal : tl of vinel t should: "TI laughing Molly, thing panels of the front door, close one of the Through vase of the who would relieve me &rateful to the man by some a tiny Saw worked there protruded lock, to the epergnes." 1 with and forwfrds backwards It went outside agency all After Elliott inswered that doubt I recogeyes agonized Molly's as nti], rapidity sb- - steady thoss money, of sum certain a nt ‘ { noxious nized articles only to the panel would be ‘sufficiently romantl t . ee oe ee gest en marveled t t 1 the is ] Moll } te opportun! yrought ind Sh in ae then ran down burglar to or ir 1id I t int t to know yu uf p fat appea » know ee r nat M I tr nid ome Ags suf- Without her deadly a moment's weapon on the unbr dr ) I had tightiv tnione hand "ent, Pack té the poker ind returned Molly allowed t inheeded it burnt. the nor n helpless } te he flat a ai} usband I Zo..to Elliotts' flat ind n with her ur ; herself-mar ich A Mine have She eard the flesh ar and rackle beneath hot fron; then a stifled yell of anguish, the darted back, there was the sound fF hurrying re foo t OF ould to the hall The iwing nol ceased as cracked, the pane] was forced inwards It ier 1 upon the floor, and through the aperformed there appeared a hand, palm upward gt The t } Then k! e Was not The again) Stehed 1, then Moll af a rds. s iesitation I be? conld it Bpen What at movea She Steud door yoom took Tea terrible A intently tenting into the crept out she Nojselessly her the stairs she Welield the reason on licht it groy loor r drawiik ir I nojselessl wood fell. wit ture .th a, ddnew he red-hot Weateachs . ' In ind 1 3 zed, k of the pro} yund © and mad b up in delight to her it seemed Ss) a latch In started 5 listened, us she a key of that ‘4 e aren wel \; fir rand possession t past n the k that having tHoveht of it t yLny iT t On tipto holding her skirts > ula ray ed the giowing, red-hét "i make dont nla t Viola i r 8) below nd tht wbouk: moving did thé: } t After that vered the : the a erving found no that if ytaler t t und then an extrem ax Keara ela i to i core 1d or ler to ail. UE WHVY, dined them," | } havin : colleague-ar ind +t 11d deem wer ve flat. +. a ‘ 7 er I t rv D r p cy i tion of think: of wedding thd ; n t getting eee flat adi td pl Dict id. tak who clerk: the of 1114 distr Dick. ad sorry v/fully°> am twelfth it do we 1. : the lon't Ww for in until ming 1 womar witt uy e to put t Yor'll i tom irt } W lir then ¥ it can't g wi ‘Moll d ky "T A of misery all the t ink that Ido but Dick; -helped, t having 1 t 1 ur lo sun i lifetim fat! their it wer Elliott the: only J in woman from rd Ih k ther‘ for t ] t But ther is' vant i t Ss i tt Viola thaw man. old t} first the vases in- "T 1 hav no at eek ym* t th n what have husband to s Beach returned left White Deverill the. illne con. anything but daren't offending of fear Maria's tragically Molly t 1 Old superiority a her her delight to led ! Elliotts The ind Point Molly we don't I aificuit.. is Viola doesn't. know hima Ani perfect. and thinks h with "Molly, id Men t sight not to the 4 in the dark about her quite he keeps he's not, quite- I think movements. } if and i in his right 4a with everill, ld fanciful "You good s a very AT lau natured good € it 11 fel) Akers' yé ag w, ontreat-: th And beheld to ire yuld with us And 1 Wwa That i litt seem.a did mre valuable: aré-awfully for down nelted' n't yu 1 with in yuld 1 s. »0 back ua Y hurt unre are You butters nd dian that you © ¥% @ warhead befor Rememt! Viola, and rent! f you to leave ut 1 should that you not mind id wo you that me you assured enger Wife his answered I. kKnow'' know, ‘] oh But tl at! I don't mind; And-and brought #onable, us to them never ou. 1g complain honeymoon s Eliott ome have m things 4e te oy Elliott Mr. yet said inxious { r We hideo godfa war' inswored Huainess me it But ~ and m ( teh - er } queer, at- eA aaa se - h Dict t). t tha Elifett i that prejudice 1 Viol Linst prejud 1 li} Molly, sighed this," "eee wiaeeklng: Ware ‘a ecents Y I mel Th Hveca VidlA of 1. 1 an't upl t ( I hu could Elliott Mr. Susiness what "I hate to think of it! ntry. tne in living. of to think I: Yove fla a little taken have "We iott sn't forgiven don't!" please Dict j ho I 1 1 4 business "my said, Ke after horrid say ys but t Ww grimac little { i tal after 1 ve to has business but her, be will Tne aWas what Dick vit Molls to do Vi ' ould nt } of ES 2 to think bear can't I-I ingly it kissed and her hand took husband Her "I wish I had said tenderly, he darling," "My everything, away threw you that ou reminded ‘mn wnarry "I n¢ that th them dow I is what D erie there! live we Why, ons? 2 4 Isn't that floor the third "On irprise , ce 1 Mrs exclaimed live on the second floor! we "And jt a coincidence isn't "Ralph. delighted); Eliott at prett kindly Ralph, lookir inswered It i be ‘will, you that suppose I "And 1 ex DevMrs. presents, all your wedding busy home? return your after month ext i) it and I am wit! child; an only orphan, i wife M gi with troubled much weren't » Wwe relative with turning added, he there But Viola we,. were I don't mind to Dick frankness t nt 1lmost witt M match a run ‘way was r Fo confe guardian "Ralp and Lughed . ! arnt e . ‘ a Molly pu H nhapp I hated to had 1 r ut happy? lack . While Raly I D l 1 b 1 - ' wiiiett ht Her too moon, horrid of some lovers he he "Yes, le her although ving made ( Norwoo wit j 5B th ny wet Her OA the Beach 4ay illy Wat deserved Tomorrow Molls interested that country city the 1 hor 3S bright vedd t led rot i at the with delight Plushed ir little pretty that Who.is Elliott Mr. usked in' came you "as mad you had that didn't knoW hotter" he ‘KeWerea sven ig aera this together you get loves think boy!" #1 "You I aaee or nis wi about Put who is this haven't told me hot; vou hurt a part of ms} iving cheered for to you teful was dreadIt Deverill Mr away, rly Molly id nervou be Shan't 1 that and the only to slumber thing ‘the an difference only be this subject was not large, So it afd not count as that of T've Yacked under- the ungraterl I'm I've will, name, for Sorry you feel is it take: be jealous of business laugi a happy with Molly, Said In the city?" the in 1 tf horrid be but table neve' your at mo been have could leave to don't you. But she had feared some in stood objected to h have bridé during his 1 think I shall Away," husband my stuffy it very "Was Blliott started. Ralph ¢£o-.té tewn," not 1 dia How tonight back comes Elliett be" Molly But Dick. asked he?' head vy ful to have. to.' tended. 1 Mol Ider, " but hi iat Kf Mr. rdinars must wife his is ‘What { Wish he so I was n le I wife the said, sel inquired well?' you ‘Aren't yunténanee ne don't t, d hate should like that." was ' comprehending hot were understand. didn't you vou. at" the even hys- Wét comprehend cried and rdse, Deverill; whom T if. nad a veX soft her bing with cauzeht » to the Deverliis tt'S manner a wi He to them introduced. 1) dark, dreamy ¢¥es, and a melan zyement O, And, ours. sekt 1s shé And warting! seriously could i~ eae at was Years now. that uy : "2s he Mrs. ore. in reality Barton's Up, Yodked Ke the depths of his comfortable chair Well, I need no pills, I need no pulse t whosits Barton to up the child; Mary bare- giving the baby ice eold be warmed; there was clothes ESTO OF THE SEARED PALM. TGS iy vie e woman "Paith'' standing over from must The baby wns well, it was cooing in its contentment, Barton had to admit his wife's contention that it and ‘ "Badith, 1 can't tell you the Hurt of it re- out It's no use!" "God! no use, dear? What's ‘ darling." acquaintance made been neglected he terically in 1 tenderly, quiethome and hus talke giving up the Wisp: ingly, pointing out that she was band and friends for a will o° 4, fair had and soul. her i her eyes, But aia Book, the down in old wild look threw she when th of night that diplomacy He note. chiding any eliminating AC ANG aT + "Yes, "Tve routine hours, Sah: 3 by distracted was tention rebellion the down fighting unex- returned had ee showed Barton mistress, her you'll e pretty, old of a new Methéd of extracting copper But. & novel reading apparently was a report Barton remair to fully Aetermincd. home, and léarned from her absent found ectedly, confidence the in servant 4 frightened from truth "yf 1K " The his waking claimed work sumed, under afternoons, And providentially for her he had been called She had just before thé production's first night. away One 4a the of note in you, sur- ago. That I Belong to the world, and tm going I'm not goimg to O, you needn't look so ghastly into it. 11 keep clean, TN live, but I') not lie to Géa. the devil. your good name will not suffer, yout honor will be un- stained fog Aukht I do," fussed _ "Wake up, John, its nearly noon. Come ard see the Baby. and we'll have breakfast after," he Weard his Wire ‘call, and While the Voice was fatiliar there Was a years then he told calmly, dispassionately of his love for her the girl's spirit of its some. way, robbed and somehow, defiance, substituted therefor what he thought was surrender, and believed he had regained his own. This wa: three years in the past. Now the spark had sputtered again, the fire Named And Barton that it for Adult's it was unheard for yeaa I've Se ke in the beginning. The night have heeded. the warning signs he shout standing, might have conquered. But Barton didn't underx. it See was bitterly cold, the winter Was at its worst and ft thé first, time tonight. as 1 should He only knew that ht Wad been hurt and that the Stand ago. ButT can't let you 50, for your own sake reconsider for married Yovers to spend quivering, 86bbine eEirl-Berore him, had In her heart a was eminently an evening ind @aa-s of Vhis-mad, within, Hier ,-perha ' : Erievance. They talkedlone that-night---She -told-how -at their own 8r "The six years yor "No," and she spoke quietly. happiness, when the joys réalized were in the planning the singing Wstrect4r praised her volce and obtained have had out of my life have been crowded With unhapp!But Barton's idea of an evening's Comfort was perusing She had attended rehearsals dan eheapement Tor Wer. You've been kind an your, Way. but, as ness and regret. tenderness, somewhere and asleep "That I'm done with this convent or A House. That' I'm going to do what You stopped me from ading three holds for youth. tears, tongue inspecting ancient. I'm soul sick, John; you don't understand. You can't! I'm stifling, I'm choking Zor life's out of doors." She went to a window, lifted it td let in blasts of chill Alr And swirling snow crystaYs " Baith, dear, you'll Gatch cold. 1 woutdhn't d6 that," he protested anxiously "Cold? What d6 1 care? Somewhere Out there are men and women who 4re laughing and nappy. They're playing wild gypsy things, blood ts ranning in their veins-red, red blo6d-they''re dancing to the queer, compelling strains. They're allve! Don't you understand, John? They're alive!' { fought it, I've denied It becausé Of what I promised but it's there yet. And now I'l) deny no more. Tu render to it. Now! Tonight! "You mean--" Tm me Mussed search to the newcomer's needs For once the maid was, the mistress, and the mistress obeyed orders like a soldier The warm milk transformed the howling infant to a eurgling cheroh, who kicked and thrashed os far as its swaddlings would permit, while the women delightedly murmured the silly nothings babies are sapposed to unAt midnight the mistress and the maid wer derstand. still coddling the waif, a temporary cradle place had Deen fixed In the big Morris chair, but the little rascal had no desire for sleep, and while he was awhke his nurses stuck to their posts You go on to bed, John; we've got to wait until the baby goes to sleep," commanded Mrs. Barton, and John went The atmosphere seemed cleared of antagonism, her volce rang happy. and contented' in her new found pleasure. But he felt it was anly for the night. As a. taxpayer and a member of half a dozen reform organizations hé knew the city maintained institutions where foundlings were cared for. He knew it would be his duty to notify the nearest police captain In the morning, The abandonment of the child was a crime against the statutes and called for ponishment of the offender. His duty Was obvious, And A& Soon AS this fact was fixed in his mental note of tomorrow's duties he reverted to the dnhappy climax which would confront him the next day. He lay awake for hours trying to devise Some remedy, but none came. Tre wondered Where Edith was that she did not retire, and when in the gray of early Morning he fell "ord, Edith, is it the old fever, the ola discéntent come back?" he asked. "Come back? It has never Ween away. 6, T've mocking, Make perhaps, perhaps, nd happiness." rage hurried in- Nothing! stupendous-but awful, mistake, me miserable forget I'll find a tiny mite what life I want and you see, I'm young, Womenralk Vy stopped Mrs. milk, @xplaining Where's quiet mouse Don't and maybe-- and that me gray haired Help me find 0, you'd Hke my girlhood? sick?" "No, mum; it's hungry the little craythur 1s, Om «thinkin'," Yeplied the maid, out of the wisdom gained as One of an Irish-American family of ten, "all of them alive and Well, thank ye, mum." Barton Watched the ensuing' scene curiously The com ‘Edith!" he began. "O, IN go! Gladly-this minuté. Good God! Can' I'm tired of gowns and food and you see I want life! She Spoke fercély. { want to Hye!" eternal dullness. ONCAMAEIS Ae the elemental emotions surged to the top. have everything a Wemani--" you "But, my dear, "my not and her hurried call: "Shure, Missus Barton, and will ye coom here? Edith ran dinto the hall, and a moment later the tw entered thé living room. The maid carried a basket, from the depths of which came a walling cry, a sound forelgn to Barton's Gars, but Which Ne vaguely recognized or Burmised was a baby's mewling. "Or ah thines, John, & Baby! Ata on this night! Freres a note from the Mother! and it says: * Pleas You've a good home. Save please, care for my baby. him from poverty or death, for that Its all I can give him. What's it crying for, Mary? O, dear, I don't Know What's the matter? Is it the first thing about babies. excite- for thé tellectual I can't? 1 can't!" she had almost "TI can't stand it screamed out to herself. It was hér moment Of temptation, her mood of abandonment. Anything Would hav appealed to her then if the tempter had promised a8 the reward a new diversion for a plaything. Barton realized dimly, but the problem was beyond him He saw nothing of what lay behind the evident unrest, thought it tod much fdleness, And IM a flattering fancy once believed it was erief At h¥s frequeAt absences. He divined nothing unusual in her suggestion that she take up singing lessons, in fact approved of it, and then blundered along with his mind clouded in drifts, and 4 her behind Nhe found night The assays. and levels, scant concealing mask of grease paint and powder Some thing of the real crisis flooded in upon him. ; "Do what you will," she had cried defiantly Tv disgraced you and your respectable middle aged friends Put me out Of your house, out of your heart, out of your life!' she raged. began Barton. "My dear," prise Of phii- for women of anything 13 should hate be girl; ‘but I'm home unexpected, _ : - Se floor. stood yr Of it to She nald to upon and 1 her; but ‘ where for a Belng wali would come limbs, expectshe reached the Yer Summons Ly with until my cenly \ man tried tened to stay alone they would let ry | 1, ma'am, to come afraid I can't ir master's jest an' somehow-I can't rhhthy { his hand something awful, The Deverills left Morton Mansions before Mrs Elliott v joined her husband, and they never met t again but Viola is still in happy gnorance of her husband's unlawful trad W hoe I 1all enlighten her, it will not be Dick or Molly Deverill » |