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Show THE SPITJMIE. We wero not a bit alike, and had few tasted In common, but. some way, Myra Seymour and I had been rather Intimate since childhood. 8he was small, dark, vivacious I. tall, fair, qulot I wos the younger by two years, but she liked to have people think me ever so much older than she, and I never took tho trouble to say I wasn't She was one of my bridesmaids, and kept up her habit of running In at all hours to seo me. Karl often said It was a great nuisance, nnd, that eveningsix even-ingsix months after our wedding day I did wish that she had stayed awns. I had a new book that I wanted Karl to read to me, nnd was terribly put out when ho said, as Myra finally arose to go: "Walt n moment. Miss Myra. I am going downtown and will take you home. If you really can't stay a whllo longer with Jeanne. That Is, If Tom Ucnton's not coming for you " Myra giggled and pretended to blush behind her muff. "Whst a tease you ore, Mr. Itsmsay. Why should Mr. llonton como for met Jeanne, you naughty old married woman, wom-an, what havo you been telling our husband? Sorry I enn't stay" ns Karl left (he room "but Tom said ho would come In about 8, and I'm not sure that anybody knows where I am" ' Ot course. In that cose I cannot asK you to remain," I said, lightly, and went Into the hall, where my huabanu was putting on his overcoat "Don't go, Karl,"I whispered In the shelter of his arms. "I'm not at all well, and I do want you to read to me." "I am sorry, sweetheart, but 1 promised prom-ised to meet a man at the Ebbltt I won't bo gone long. You know I'd rather much stay with my precious wife." "I know nothing of the kind" more crossly thsn I had ever before spoken to him and went back to Myra, only turning my cheek when ho tried to kiss me at the door. When they wero gone I flew up to my room, and, throwing myself on the lounge, gave way to my pent-up tear. "1 do wish that Myra had stayed nt homo for oncel" I sobbed. "I might bave coaxed Karl to stay It she bad lfnl& rnim:NDi:D to iu.uhii. not been here, but I was afraid I'd cry beforo her. night o'clock! I wonder how long he will be gone! I wish I had kissed hlmt" Presently, springing up, I cried; "Why did Myra look at Karl that wayt And why wns he so anxious to tako her home? I'll follow them. They cannot havo gono far," and, throwing a largo cloak over my light gown, and never thinking of my slippered feet, I went out Into tho winter night It was cloudy, and there was a hint ot snow In the air, but I did not mind It as I hurried on across the avenue Into the Smithsonian g-ounds, where something told ma I would find them I saw no ono until, after a long, long time, I caught sight of Myra and my husband walking slowly, absorbed In each other and never looking back. I crept up un til I could havo touched them "Wo managed nicely, didn't we, Karl?" laughed Myra "Jeanne.tho cold, proper creature, suspects nothing, and mother thinks I'm with Joanne many a time when I'm with ou It's mlgiity bard sometimes to pretend Indifference and you'd better quit kissing Jeanne beforo me. I'll let the wholo thing out It you try mo too far I'm not the Iceberg Ice-berg that Jeanno 1st' "You nro a dear little spitfire'" he sold, drawing her to a scat and taking her In bis arms to rain klssrs on ' -r face. I leaned against a tree behind them and bit my lip aliot througli " keep from screaming It la loo burl bo went on, "that we never t-uughi 'l( falling in love with eai.li other until U was too late, but our love is all tlm sweeter for being stolen It Is w.l. enough for you to he engaged to 'loin ncnton It keeps people from suspet. Ing us but don't marry him Boom-thing Boom-thing may happen, you know, lo set u free, and then with another raptur ous embrace "my spllllrc will luow bow I love her." Chilled to tho heart by his cruel words, I turned nwny. Where could I go? What could I do? The world was at an end for mc, nnd I felt that I was Indeed dying, as I sank to the ground, with tho snow falling somy over mo A voice far away called to me "Jeanne, Jeanne my darling, what li the matter? Wake up." I looked around bewildered I was In my husband's arms, In my own pretty sitting-room, and my eyes falling upon the clock say that It was Just seven minutes past 8. "I couldn't bear to stay away when you felt so badly about It," said Karl smoothing my hair, "so, when we met Tom coming after Myra, I turned her over to him and hurried back. Wish they'd mnrryl Maybe she would have less time lo come bothering u " Boston Bos-ton Tost |