The Arkansaw traveler., 1883-09-01


 scenes where had been spent the happiest days of his life. From the time when he had learned that she was the wife of an- man who had done so much 10 shape the course of his life, yet she was often in his thought ard with true lovers re- luctance 10 believe his mistress entirely ID the wrong he fel; that perhaps she was not wholly guilty ard in time all would i be made clear. Besides he knew that | he had occupied position towards her perhaps nearer than that of lover :: while inward reproachings told him that he had TO: done right, and that perhaps i; was h.s owa wrong doing which had forced het 10 take the course she had. This and many other reasons made him dread ,o nee. her and learn from her own lips the cause of her strange con- duct. Two days before he had come to the little town to spend his vacation in d qg!e; way. but the sound of Oracle Wor- ne 5 voice had in ar instant. oveithrown all his plans
 As Walter Arndt walked along the mountain road his n.nd was flied with strangely conaic,in. thoughts. He knew %4+AS r.4N aDtC .AC bC1G only been s.eep.ns and was TOW aroused to is old intensity. At ,irs, he was d. mos; resolved ;e return. pay his bill and steal away by the frs, train but ;ha, did dot leave until noon. and by that time she whom he 50 li.,'e cared 10 meet would learn Of the presence of so distinguished gues, and would be watching for him. Again he was nearly de- | term,ned to stay ard show her he could toy and t'irt with her with the cr-eles; ease and nonchalance. When he had walked abou; tn hour and half he began io retrace his steps he was so ioss Tn though, that the distance vas soon passed over ; ard i, was in Il still con- fused and undecided frame of mind that he tognd himself ascending the piazza steps. After talking moment with a gushing Miss anxious te know if NIT. .Arndi had really been ou; walking so early. he passed or into the hallway and was entering the dining-room when he came face 10 face with the cause of ali his trouble. He recoiled step in surprise, and then. ere he knew i; was stammer- ing ou, broken replies to her questions. Her voice was low and steady: while h@i ASA0 "Ao OCisk SO io6 ttidi HC GOGld not see the color that came and went. and only knew 5y the convuisive manner in which she held his hand that she too was thrilled by the meeting.
 Mrs. Gray for such was now her name. was delighted to see him. She had heard that he was there. and when he did not appear at breakfast. feared he had stolen away and would not be back until night. She had heard from him often through the press and was more than glad that he had been so successful. They. herself and husband. would be a, Groton two weeks. Would MT. Arndt remain as long. She should enjoy his company more than she could tell. and then there was so much that she must tell him. Mir. Gray, her husband, was waiting now to take her for d ride, but she would certainly see him again dur ing the day. And then. while Arndt had not yet recovered from his surprise. she was gone ; he stood Inomen, in though, and then entered the dining-room He ate li,,le. bu; long before the meal was eaten he had decided upon wha, he should do. His former bethrothed had met him only as d friend. but he saw that her careless manner was assumed with dlriiculty, and lei, tina, she sull loved him. He fel'. too. that she was no, d. together m the wrong and what she wished to tell him would make all things clear. He wanted to learn if she was happy. and to know If anything he had done had led her to marry another Could he learn that such was no, the case great load would be lifted from his mind ; ye, he could never feel entirely at his ease. He wished also to become ac- quain,ed with. and quietly study the man whom she had married. He had al- ways been called a shrewd judge of men. and he believed that such course would explain much.
 his latter desire was soon gra,ined During the afternoon. while seated on the piazza, he was approached by group of gentlemen and in moment in,roduc d 10 Rober, Gray. Arndt noted al glance that he was not far from ,hir,y years of age, with face ,ha, was no, unpleasan, ou, very weak. Gradually the little group dropped of and the two were lei, To themselves. During the hour ,ha, followed Atnd, was cieserly studying his companion at the end of that time the latter arose and eNcusing himself moved
 
 away. leaving him to muse over wha, he had seen and heard. Had he spoken his thoughts. this would have been about what he would have said:
 This Gray is differen, man from wha,l supposed Not man to gain strong influence over another and with but little true pride and less self-respect. but tiiied with that weak sort of seif-iove which sometimes takes their place: and one who if he desired anything would have II no matter wha, the cost and humiliation. This mis,ery grows stronger than ever. will study them together and see II canno, satisfy myself in that way"
 The same evening, Arnds, while setting out for walk, saw Gray take the train for the city. He recognized hum with bow and kept on his way towards burial ground tha, lay about half a mile away. On approaching rustic bench where he