Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1880-10-28
' ~ -"'3 1850" -tltA iIo1l 59T1rll e
WHOLE NO. 1891

felt represented, az far as she was concerned,
safety-to that one, whom she had never
known unwilling or unready to receive her.
=, Besides the feeling of protection, it is
comfort that he is 80 absent-that he notices
nothing does not observe when l am restless
and unhappy. or when am quiet and con-
tent, which is rest" with sigh. ''because l
need not even think how / am locking, or
what am saying when am with him. His
mind is in his books but l." with quick,
proud smile, shave his heart. Ah," clasping
her hands together, IF Iwere to lose it r.
The great hall of Siston was cleaning with
lights men and women talking, flirting, dane
ing, Quarreling, were passing to and fro. Mrs.
Moreton, resplendent in amber satin, was the
admired of every one. Beauty such as hers
could not fail to attract attention. But it did
not touch the heart in the way that Lois Der
ing's did, for all that and if votes had been
taken on the subject there would have been
many given to the tall slender woman in trail
ing white satin-the woman with the small
dark head and dreamy eyes, who moved about
with her hand on her husbands arm.
- You will give me a dancer questioned
Robert Moreton, almost eagerly ian older Rob-
ert than we saw eight menths ago. not precise
ly happy bridegroom land Lois, at his words,
shrank closer to her husbands side, and be-
gan some faltering excuse. ESD
n But Sydney interposed s'YOu must dance
a little, " he said with smile, ''or people will
say lam preventing you. And you should
begin, for you know we are not going to stay
very late. l am lazy" he went on, turning
to Robert, land not a ball-going man, as
dare say you may remember; so my. wife is
going to be obedient, and, in consideration of
the long drive home, she has promised to leave
early" -. -. NAM f.r.S.g
.. Mr.. Moreton made no reply, beyond NUT
tered BALLS were not much in his line eth
err" but offered his arm, which Lois took, and
almost before she was aware of what she was
doing she found herself walking down the
room with Robert, for the first TIME able to
speak to him without fear of listeners, since
that terrible eve of his marriage six monts
ago. 49,.
with theremembrance of that question he had
asked, the answer to which in common loyal
ty he had not pressed. The dropping figure,
the f1relit room, the weeping woman, all were
present before him now, and forbade all at
tempts on bis part at commonplace ballroom
conversation.
With her there was but one remembrance
that of the bitter words she had heard that
night, the threat that had 80 terrified her; and
involuntarily she raised her eyes and glanced
round the room in search of the one whom it
was her first thought to seek in time of Lrou-
BILE or perplexity. Yes, there he was, stand
ing quite close beside her, though not appar-
emily watching her, and across her troubled
heart came sensation of relief.
And with that sensation of relief she felt
capable of thinking of some slight convention
al phrase .wherewith to break the silence
which had hitherto sheltered her and even as
she was about to say it, through all the noise
about her, was clearly borne to her ears
strange voice which said, as if in reply to
previous question: Eyes, he was awfully in
love with her he only married the other for
her money" .aF sg.r.t-.. ....rr..f
''And she?"
Something in the significance OF the words
arrested Lois's attention. something in the
words themselves helped to d knowledge Of
whom they were speaking, and with quick,
terrified movement she raised her eyes to her
husbands face, even as the voice. made an
swer: Married Dering for his" ..a
Their eyes met, for he was watching her
and she strove to read In his If he had also
heard, but there was no sign if it were so.
With a sudden resolve, which blinded her to
what others might think or say, LET me go
to him, Mr. Moreton," she faltered; and be-
fore Robert had realized what she meant, she
was bv Sydney's side. ..., ,,.,.ts, g.,..,t
'Ah, no, no /" she CRIED her words coming
out with something like sob. And then, re-
stralning herself with an effort, and slipping
her arm quietly through his: Sydney" she
said, lifting her head proudly, her eyes flash
ing, and delicate color rising in her checks
Sydney, would you mind taking turn
round the room with me? /"
sit is not very amusing for you" he an
swered gently, ''to go to ball and then to
talk to your husband" r17 7.1 y.,un s e't
Il should like" she replied softly, laying
her other hand on his arm-"just once, please,
round the room"
Slowly they did as she asked-she with her
small head lifted, her dark eyes looking into
his, and then, the music striking up told
them another dance was beginning, and Lois's
partner, coming to claim her; Thank you,
Syd," she said in low voice, and with sud-
den vehemehce, as she was about to leave
him-'thank you, sgd, so much!" Only
Robert Moreton, left partnerless by reason of
Lois's sudden flight, perhaps observed them,
but he could not forget the look with which
she had left him and turned away with her
husband. ., -.,i, :, -. .:-e l.lrr..a
'Of course, "he muttered, impatiently-
course she is fond Of him. Did not tell her
so it would be ?" half def1antly, as If it had
been the fact OF his teliingit that had brought
it to pass ...t.,. o. " ,Ass H -st
"Moreton has gone, or is going, back to
America" The speaker was Mr.. Dering, the
scene his own breakfast table, the audience his
wife and mother, and the time a month later
than the Siston ball. =, -f,-,, ,rs;t rim
Back to America!" exclaimed old Mrs.
Derings why, they have only just returned
from there. =" ~ III nee F'3ih .fl
-l.T'Not 'tAev.' corrected Mr.. ,Derihga r'More-
ton is leaving bis wife in England, pTog.h1, -
NJ 10 To:n L.
as if about to- speak, but she said nothing, and
her husband went on: -Florence-is go
ing up to Scotland for a month or two, so
asked her ii she would care to come here for a
few days first" $50 4. nua,sa ~ e..s,5
.'When 2" .:... -, ,f,,., 90, ....fi...,,.
Lois. was all eargerness now.
81 ION Monday next; but she will" not stay
long--only day or two.a She said she would
like to see you, mother.nmg9 L. s-9s.4
-. Sab, Sydney, then you wilLnot be herei"
mo, Lois /; l cannot help it. must go to
London as arranged on Saturday; but l shall
only stay as short a time as possible. London
is not very tempting at this time of the year."
mo, said Lois, kneeling by his side,, and
speaking more earnestly than the occasion
seemed to warrant, ''you must not say that
You must not want to come home because
London is dull, but because am here.Day
OF course" he answered, 10 throwing his
arms about her. and raising her to her feet
''Of course, you know how shall weary Till
see ,you.s The question israther-N0, nor
interrupting himself, 1--WE Will ont ask any
questions, but just enjoy the time that Is left
to us. Let us 60 to the organ; have some
thing should like you to hear."Isd bsa"i
s5a5.1J u57. .Hf ggsu z 3.a,i shawl t-ur.t
Good bye, dear wife Mr. Dering, was
just starting for London, and Lois was hover
ing about him, saying and hearing last words,
and for once Sydney seemed TO have emerged
put of his ordinary quiet self, sndito be more
than there seemed occasion for. II
wish you were coming with me-. We have
never been separated yet since we'were mar
lied, have WEI Take great care of yourself,
and donot fret or worry about anything Will
you promise Pr sahlG dc4u s1aj9, Gyf
v s'Yes."b Tso % ;agsa tgdi iae-97tt77 y3.1
"And if you should really want me, you
will send for me at once, will you MOTTO
Gresham place p" ''''A'' ~ =. ''AaHi ~ l'l
4, ttXaR An Sud with 8 o,,aAox, sx>aaafon