in potency like a swiftly fermenting liquor. It was both fearful and delightful. She was all a-flutter. This was a daring thing that she was doing-th

pricking shivers up and dow

esidence hotel. He sighted the De Peyster carriage, and paused. Mrs. De Peyster's heart s

y bowed, and the carri

covery. None. Almost every one she knew was out of town; she herself was known to be upon the high seas bound for Europe; Matilda's gown and veil were a most unsuspicious disguise; and William, her paragon of a William, so rigidl

al Park. In itself the surprise was the most trifling of events-so slight a matter as a person tw

her to be Matilda, and that the smile was no more than the friendly courtesy that would naturally pass between two fellow-servants. Her indignation subs

other unpeopled stretch of the drive. Again William's ve

da," he remarked i

ter now realized that she had been guilty of a lack of forethought. It had not occurred to her, in working out this plan of hers, that her frigidly proper William could entertain a friendliness

all to escape from Will

er voice behind her hand and veil, and withdra

riage turned again into Washington Square and dr

n a smothered imitation of Matilda

are that William had deserted his horses and was stepping in just behind her. As though it were a

little gasping cry, and

er. "Nobody can see us in here." And he patted

lliam. To do so would reveal her identity. And horrified as she was, she realized that there

Matilda!" He heaved a love-laden sigh. "We've had it mighty hard, haven't we, with only being able to steal a minute wi

yster rema

for you, dear?" Willi

," very

iss Gardner; and wouldn't she have done the same to us, if she'd found us out? To think, dear, that but for her attitude you and me might have been married and happy! I know you are devoted to her, and wouldn't leav

. But she choked it down. William, launched upon the placid sea of his elder

d left just us two here, Matilda dear, we'll have a lot of nice little times together." And urge

ater could be choked no l

ling; and her right hand, striking wildly

w back

matter?" h

d frantically for the k

o take that!" he declared i

!" she

hfully, but with

t I'm not a man that forgive

nd closed it quickly behind her. Gasping, shivering, she groped in the dusky hall until she found a

fulminate. She would discharge William! She would s

shot through her. She co

Atlantic highroad, speeding for Europe, and would not be home for many a month! And during all

ities-for hardly a minute had passed since she had entered-when she heard a key slide into the lock of the front

softly called a voice, and the

denly a new turn. For the voice w

she breat

about Mrs. De Pe

said he, in teasing reproof. "U'm, I saw those te

ter stood a

he got on to this! But I'll never tell on you, Matilda

like Matilda's voice, the difference was unconsciously

you come her

I've got a key to the inside door, but none to the door in the boarding; and as I knew there was nobody in the house I could rouse u

f Jack's explanation that drumm

iced that another shadowy figure had dra

ck's prompt an

that-that M

e. She's Mary

not-not

down close to Mrs. De Peyster's ear. "Don't let Mary know how mother objected to her; I have n't told her, and she doesn't guess it. And oh, Matilda," he bubble

Mary," he called soft

re threw its arms about Mrs. D

voice. "Jack has told me how good you have been to him ever since

're married!" mumb

lda's than it was. "Yes!" he cried. "And wouldn't it surprise mother if she knew! Mother, sailing so unsuspiciously alo

yster did

ng so quietly." Then he added jocosely: "If you tell, there's a thing I might tell her abou

hispered Mrs

s something else that would surpr

organ, in her soft contralto voice, that seemed to efferve

hundred out of my allowance. Monday I'm going to enter the School of Mines at Columbia-am going to study straight through the summer-night and day till the

live close!" exclaimed Mary joyously, as though liv

o live close!" emphasized J

peated Mrs. De Peyste

mpty except for you, Matilda, why pay rent?' So here we are, and here we're going to live all summer-on the 'q t,' of course." He slipped an arm about