Part 17 (1/2)

What a moment of agony for the poor stricken wife! There could no longer he room for doubt. She had indeed been fooled and deceived! Her innate courage rose and sustained her under the weight of the trial. She would leave that house--now, once and for all--before her betrayer could return! Never, never would she look upon his smiling, treacherous face again!

Animated with fresh strength, she rose and hastily began her preparations. She fetched the baby's warm wraps from the inner room and began to dress the child. The other woman looked on in silence--dazed for the moment by Penny's brisk movements. At last she found a voice.

”What are you doing?” she cried. ”Surely you will not take the child out to-night!”

Penny made no answer, but fetched her own outdoor clothes and dressed hastily.

”Where are you going, on such a night?” cried the other excitedly.

”Anywhere,” answered Penny, her lips white and her eyes flas.h.i.+ng.

”Anywhere out of reach of that man.”

”No, no!” the woman expostulated. ”Wait till morning! I'll see him then and settle everything.”

”What can you settle that can make me stay?” asked Penny, in bitter wrath. ”Do you think that I would spend another night under this roof?

Wait here and see him, if you wish--you have the right to be here, not I!

He will never see me again.”