The Hollow Land

d see Doctor Gregory's heart was in it, he looked as bad as the child's father and mother did. It was after one o'clock when the surgeons got out of their wh

plenty of places all about where h

n once of late she had come to meet Warren at some hospital, or even to pick him up

e know he was in here? she echoed his question. He had written her from Albany that he would

"and I can't stop to play with nice little Magsies in new b

pretty concern. "Greg, you've not had any? Oh, I believe he hasn't had

side of the seat, and packed her thin sk

come and have your breakfast! Now, what's nearest? The Biltmore!" She poke

st, and more coffee, and finally his cigar. The col

iew of her call, and uneasy as to the state in which she had left his wife. But, unlike Rachael, Magsie had not been wakeful long. The consideration of other people's attitudes never troubled her for more than a few consecutive minutes. She had been genuinely stirred by her talk that afternoon, and was honestly determined to become Mrs. Warren Gregory; but these feelings did not prevent her from looking b

congratulating herself that he was soothed, fed, and placi

onfession to make!" began Magsie w

asked quickly, the shadow coming b

nscious of be

surpris

e was surprised. Of c

g her childish eyes, "didn't

itude whatever," Warren said with a

ed. "What did you expect her to do? Give y

t minute he remembered some of his recent talks with Magsie, some of his notes and presents,

did not answer, "you could not have objected to one word I said! A

old yo

of her pretty hand Magsie indicated the big emerald on her ring finger and the heavy bracelet of mesh gold about her wrist. Suddenly her face brightened, and with an eager movement she leaned across t

usly considering a divorce," Warren said

has!" Magsie s

oman to think things wit

satisfaction; "she knows! Everyone knows how much you and I have be

to draw conclusions f

ugged her

l be miles away, and we won't care! And in a year or two, Greg, we'll come back, and they'll all flock about us--you'll see! That's

ertainly--complicated things

ght the inevitable nearer! Why, you weren't ever at home. Could that have gone on forever? You had no home, no wife, no freedom. I was si

en said after thought; "I'm going home now to see Rachael. I'll

ly?" aske

itiv

er and worry?" the girl asked wistfully. "I'll wait until any hour!" He l

alf-past four. I am operating again to-night, at nine, and SOME TIME I

together their belongings, and went out to the street. He called her

he's all tired and cross, I'll make him coffee AT HOME, an

ot like h

aid. Magsie had not heard him speak so of his wi

n for six months out of every year?" Magsie laug

again. His world was strange and alarming; was falling to pieces about him. He was thirsting for Rachae

He believed that they were gone to the Long Island house, sir. Warren, stupefied, went slowly upstairs

n silence was the only unthinkable thing. She had planned a

ire. I will cooperate in any way. I have written Magsie that I will not contest your divorce. If for any reason you come to Clark's Hills, I

aithfull

r. Usually there were flowers in the jars and glass bowls, a doll's chair by the bed, and a woolly animal seated in the chair; a dainty litter of lace scattered

an who had so often met that inquiry with an impatient: "Just please don't bother me, dear!

hree. In an hour h

the dignity of Warren Gregory's wife. Rachael's note was capable of only one interpretation: she would no longer stand in their way. She was taking the boys to the country, and had given Warren the definite ass

n motion, and was not quite sure of how it might be controlled. But on the whole, complacency underlay all oth

tired of her dimples and giggles and round eyes. Bryan Masters admired her, to be sure, but then Bryan Masters was also a divorced man, and an actor whose popularity was already on the wane. Richie Gardiner admired her in his pathetic, hopeless way, and Richie was young and rich. But Mag

en so pleasantly excited in her life. She felt a part of the humming, crowded

s little apartment now, and she could go into his arms. Warren was

t of it. He could not believe that the day's dazing and flying memories were real--the Albany train, Rachae

ntly not. Magsie seemed perfectly confident of the outcome; Rachael had not shown any d

e wind of gossip, that wind that blew so merrily among the houses where he was known. He had called Magsie his "wonder-child" and his "good little bad girl!" He had

, but it was all coming about in a fashion that more than fulfilled her plans. So, said Magsie to herself, stirring her

ozen times, "isn't i

all these horrible things were true, that Rachael knew all about Magsie, and that Magsie was quietly thinking of divorce and marriage! Rachael, in such a rage, rushing away with the

othing. His thoughts were checked and chilled by the memory of let

dder run down his spine. Rachael, reading those letters! It was unthinkable! She and the world would think him a fool! It came to him suddenly that she and the world would be right. He was a foo

any sane man expect her to do? Smile with him at the new fav

o Magsie. So much was clear. Rachael would fight f

to this sickening, sickening mess?"

l her days would say she had had a lovely doctor. Warren hardly saw her. He thought only of Magsie, Magsie who had in her possession a number of compromising letters, every one sillier than the last--Magsie, who expected him to divorce his wife and marry her. He

lked and walked, entering his house sick and h

ed the Valentine house. Doctor Valentine was not at home, he was in

impersonal voice again. Mrs. Valentin

eath seemed to him to lie heavy in the lovely rooms that had been Rachael's delight, and over the city that was just breaking into the green of spring.

Pauline," he said. "I wish you'd keep he

d respectfully. "Excuse

d Warren as

ay, as Mrs. Gregory suggested," Pauline went on timidly,

pression di

Gregory dismissed

uline with a sniff.

y all means!" Warren said evenly. But a deathlike terr

by unexpected developments," he said, and too busy