The Portland daily press., 1876-12-30

there l will not go. lie IS sure 10 get up IN
moment"
The gentleman showed, however, no inten-
ton of rising. On the contrary, leaning
forward, in an attitude more easy than cere-
monious, with his elbow resting on his knee,
he resigned himself to the society of his
companion, saying word now and then in
reply to her voluble talk, but without looking
at her. His expression was that of one who
watches with amusement the progress OF
game; or the down-looking eyes and slight
smile might indicate pleasure which he was
not willing to display. or even acknowledge.
Mrs. Anterior was at her wits end.
woman of the world, she had learned to shut
her eyes sometimes, and not to expect an
ideal constancy; but her sister, she well knew,
was of different mould, and she trembled
for the result. Anne's face was beginning
to cloud too, she could see. A certain chill
and shadow had come over it, and she had
looked away from the two.
SIT would really seem that am watching
my husband" she said haugbtily. II think
we need not wait, Carrie. You must be
very tired, and so am l."
But in going she turned for one glance
more. In that moment the italian had
loosened flower from her belt, and, touch
smile that would have brought the angry
blood to airy wife's face, presented it 10 him.
He took it from her without looking up,
hesitated minute, then fastened in his but
ton-h0le. His wife uttered a faint cry, "Oh!
oh and trusted him so!' and catching her
sisters arm, drew her hastily away.
Mrs. Anterior would have liked to see
smart lash laid across the backs Of two people
on the bench there, but she did not think it
wise to express any such feeling. 'Do be
reasonable, Anne" she urged. SIT isn't
nl,o h,t hot
she is doing the whole, and that he is laugh
ing at her?'
''Oh, me! oh, mew family moaned out,
was all the answer she received, and, looking,
she saw her sisters face crimsoned and
panied as if by some sharp physical pang.
'Shouldn't we take the other street, DEAR"
she asked presently.
ooh, Pm not going home; 1 couldn't 60
home"
better. perhaps, that this first distress should
be walked off. They crossed two plazzas, the
street leading to the Porte Pia, and went
down the Via Santa Susanna; but when they
reached the Constant, Mrs. Francis turned
abruptly into the court before her sister had
time to object and signalled waiter.
"We want a room for to-day, and break
fast sent up immediately" she said. "We
may stay longer, and we may 90 to Florence
this evening. Names? No matter-we do
not wish to see any one"
And Mrs. Atherton found herself swept up
| stairs, in pleasant chamber, and her bonnet
| and mantle taken off.
"Pm sorry TO give you such bad reception
but welcome to Rome! You must be very
tired and hungry. Don't lose your appetite
| on my account, nor your resi-. After you
have had breakfast lie down awhile: will
| take this sofa; must have time to think. 1
want to gather up the fragments and see
what is left me-"
She had controlled all signs of agitation
but the red color in her cheeks, but the smile
was as dead IN her face as if she had never
| smiled. She gave the waiter his orders, criti-
cised the breakfast when it came,sas if she
cared whether it were good or bad, and even
pretended 10 taste the coffee her sister en-.
treated her to take. Mrs. AIS theory was
that any trouble may be borne as long as one
eats and drinks, and that we'll sustained
body has a medicinal effect on sick heart.
Her first pathetic prayer to her afflicted
friend was stereotyped: "Do try to eat
something, dear;' and wherever the Church
went with her spiritual consultations this kind
with Calls foot jelly. She found herself,
ho Hever, little in awe of this high headed
young woman whose manner had suddenly
become SO peremptory, did not venture to
urge her too much, suffered her to leave the
table the moment they were alone, and had
almost betaken herself to rest as commanded
when she detected slight tremor pass over
the form lying stretched in the shady corner
of the room and saw the small clenched
hand that held the veil across her sisters
face.
"My DEAR" she exclaimed, going to her,
"you are making much Of trifle.'
Anna threw off the pretence of sleeping
and sat upright. 81 am not making what
the world would call much of it,' she said
''But if were to behave so, would he con-
slider it trifle?''
"Oh, but we are expected to be more
scrupulous than men. We shouldn't wish
them to have the delicate sensitiveness OF
| women"
Il agree with you, Carrie. But he and I
had au understanding about this woman, and
both kept her at an equal distance. She re-
sented it in me. but not in him. Of course
that never was worth a moments thought to
me, for he was on my side and maintain ed
| my dignity and his own. And do you not
see that by permitting her this liberty in my
| presence he has humbled me before her and
established a sort of understanding with her !!
| She believes that he will tell me nothing Of
1t. Oh, it is trife to the world, but it has
teken away the charm of my life. He's a
| good man as the world goes. but the world
| goes in very mean way. If 1 had not be-
leved him to be an ideal man l would not
have married him."
| She rose and began to pace the room as
she talked: 81 have never admitted that
there should be two laws, one for men and
one for women, and l never will admit it.
| Why should women keep themselves clean
for uncleau men? Do you take pains to whit
| en- garment that you are going to throw in
to the ditch PA light woman is good enough
wife for an inscriptions man, and it is the
society law to the contrary which is running
so many women. What keeps a woman
stainless? First, her natural instincts. But
those same instincts would teach her to re-
coil from uniting herself with man not as
| bamelesS as herself. Then there is religion,
! But if she does right for Gods sake alone,
she would rather shut herself up in con-
vent than marry the man she couldn't trust.
Besides these, there is the wish and hope to
please some man and be worthy of his love
and respect. 1 suppose most good women
are influenced by all these motives together
| L was-but if one have no motive but the last
| l say that the love of an INSCRIPTIONS man
| isn't worth taking such pains for, and his
respect is of no consequence. Arthur always
| said" she stopped suddenly in her indig-
| nant declaration; her voice was choked, and
| she burst into tears
Mrs. Anterior, who had been completely
| silenced and disconnected by both her sisters
passion and her logic, took advantage of this
softening; eyes, Arthur has said many beau
tiful things to you, as you have often told me,
and you are not now Trusting him enough.
Give him a chance to explain. Remember
all his love and fidelity which you have proved
and which never failed you. Go to him
frankly and tell him what you saw and how
unhappy it made you. Don't utter one word
| of reproach, but ask him ii he cannots take
away the pain he has given you and which
he cannot help feeling. If he should laugh
at you"
"He would not do that" her sister inter-
rupted quickly; che never laughs at what
hurts me. But do not wish to go out now.
We will stay here to-day, and L should like
to rest awhile. l shall feel better to stay
here till evening""
An hour before sunset the sisters left the
hotel, but instead of going directly home the
younger turned again toward the Piazza del
| Termini.
'My head aches little and the fresh air
will make me feel better. Besides. we had
better go for our luggage and take carriage
| hOmen